NRL Round One Early Mail: Bronson Xerri selection hinges on Kiraz fitness, Kai Pearce-Paul firming

There’s huge SuperCoach news in our Round One early mail with a popular Bulldog on the outer, the Dragons dealing with a double injury blow and a new Knight pushing for his debut.

Bronson Xerri’s NRL return is expected to rest in the availability of Jacob Kiraz with Kiraz racing the clock to be fit for Canterbury’s round one opener.

It is understood that Kiraz is tracking well to be passed fit to play the Eels on Saturday despite not being able to feature in any trials as he continues to make his way back from a back injury.

Blake Taaffe will start at fullback despite a shaky trial stint with Xerri on standby should Kiraz have a training mishap in the next couple of days.

In other round one team news:

* The Dragons will hand out two debuts if Blake Lawrie (ribs) and Jacob Liddle (hamstring) fail to recover in time. Of the pair, Liddle is the more likely starter with his hamstring complaint not serious. If Liddle is out 26-year-old Jesse Marschke would play his first NRL match off the bench with Connor Muhleisen starting. Towering youngster Viliami Fifita is on standby for Lawrie who is considered touch-and-go to play the Titans.

Bronson Xerri’s NRL return may be placed on hold. Picture: Getty Images

* The Sharks will be boosted by the return of Dale Finucane from a calf niggle to help an understrength forward pack. Finucane skipped the trials given the history of the injury.

“I will be fine for round one,” Finucane said. “I had a minor awareness at training given that I had a little bit of history I took it easy. I’ll be good for round one.” Braden Hamlin-Uele is unlikely to play the Warriors because of a knee injury.

* The Knights, who will be without Jayden Brailey for at least the opening two games, are considering handing Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul his first start.

At the Bulldogs though, it will be just a matter of time before Xerri plays his first NRL game since 2019. The 23-year-old exceeded expectations in the trials and gave little doubt that he will at some point become an NRL regular.

Kiraz’s impending return means Blake Wilson will keep a wing spot. Connor Tracey has had limited preparation because of injury.

Jacob Kiraz, training at Belmore Oval in January. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Canterbury skipper Stephen Crichton said Xerri had impressed.

“He has come in with a fresh mindset and something which has been evident is he is so eager to learn,” Crichton said. “He looks happy. He says life is pretty cool for him right now. I’m happy to see our players are having a good time, not just at training but outside of it too.

“I feel like he is ready to play. He has trained from day one in pre-season. When I was off he was in there training with the (younger) boys which showed how motivated he is to get that starting jersey back.

“He has trained the hardest out of our outside backs.”

BRAILEY DELAY CONFIRMED BY KNIGHTS

Newcastle co-captain Jayden Brailey has confirmed his long awaited return to the field will be delayed by a nagging hamstring complaint.

Brailey will miss the Knights’ first round clash against the Raiders on Thursday night after sustaining the injury last month.

While the injury won’t sideline Brailey long-term it will see the dummy half miss at least the opening two games as he eyes a potential return in either round three or four.

“I had a little hiccup in January in my hamstring,” Brailey said. “It was nothing serious. It was only minor. I had the luxury of being looked after and getting everything right. If it’s not round one, I won’t be far away.

“It will be a couple of weeks max after that. I’m not too caught up in it given the past 12 months that I’ve had.

“It’s just about getting my body as strong as I can. I am feeling really good. It just hung around. It was tedious. I have to respect it and look after it.”

Knights skipper Jayden Brailey is set to miss his side’s opening game. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Phoenix Crossland will start in the no. 9 jersey for the Knights on Thursday which will most likely allow new recruit Jack Cogger to earn a bench spot.

Brailey wants to return via the NRL but is “open to anything”.

“I’m not too caught up on it,” Brailey said. “It’s all a stepping stone into my return. My goal is to get back and enjoy my footy and get back on the park. Once I play consistent footy I’ll slot back into my groove and play good footy.”

Brailey’s latest setback continues a run of misfortune for the 27-year-old who has not played since April 9 last year after rupturing his knee.

He travelled to Philadelphia to work with reconditioning guru Bill Knowles in December. Knowles has worked with NRL superstars Latrell Mitchell, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Tom Trbojevic and Luke Metcalf in recent years.

“It was unreal,” Brailey said. “I am grateful for the club. I took so much out of it. I brought a heap back in terms of how I prepare going on the field – in terms of my positioning when I change direction.

“I am trying to get it to become automatic. Biggest thing is just confidence. He couldn’t’ find any red flags which was a huge positive.”

Originally published as NRL Round One Early Mail: Bronson Xerri selection hinges on Kiraz fitness, Kai Pearce-Paul firming