NRL 2025 pre-season trial: Brisbane Broncos defeat Canterbury Bulldogs, Gold Coast Titans defeat Dolphins
The Broncos received a boost with a couple of their big stars cleared of injury concerns following their win over the Bulldogs. However, the Dolphins and Titans will be left to sweat over the severity of injuries to key players.
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Star Broncos trio Kotoni Staggs, Payne Haas and Reece Walsh have been cleared of serious injury after suffering knocks in Brisbane’s 30-14 trial defeat of the Bulldogs on Saturday night.
The joy of Brisbane’s third consecutive trial win was tempered by the sight of Staggs (quadriceps), Haas (ankle) and Walsh (knee) failing to finish in a spirited NRL Pre-Season Challenge clash at Kayo Stadium.
Centre Staggs lasted just 13 minutes, No.1 prop Haas had ice applied to his recently-operated ankle five minutes later and fullback Walsh failed to return for the second half.
But Broncos medicos confirmed the Big Three will be fit for Brisbane’s premiership opener against the Roosters on March 6, with Staggs reporting tightness in his quad.
“It’s great news that they are fit for round 1,” winger Jesse Arthars said. “We need them, they are our leaders.
“It was only a trial, so it was just about getting those guys some minutes.”
It was another strong performance from the Broncos, who bolted to a 14-0 halftime lead and staved off the fast-finishing Bulldogs to suggest they are the real deal in 2025.
COMBINATIONS
Brisbane’s new-look spine clicked instantly. Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt, playing together for the first time, may be the NRL’s oldest halves pairing, but they showed the value of experience.
The 34-year-olds ran Brisbane’s offence with class and composure and they received able support from rejuvenated hooker Cory Paix, who continued his fine pre-season with some dangerous dummy-half incursions.
In midfield, the Broncos have a more formidable look with Haas, Pat Carrigan and Kobe Hetherington as their starting middle. Carrigan charged for 122 metres in his opening 30-minute stint at prop and Hetherington was a defensive hit man in the No.13 jumper.
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RECRUIT WATCH
Did Hunt ever leave the Broncos? The former Dragons skipper slotted seamlessly back into the Broncos’ scrumbase.
The marquee recruit ignited Brisbane’s left-edge in the No.6 jumper, putting up a bomb for Adam Reynolds’ 23rd-minute try before releasing a flying Walsh to put winger Jesse Arthars (33rd) over for a 10-0 lead.
If he maintains the rage, Hunt could be the buy of the season.
ROOKIE WATCH
Like Hunt, Gehamat Shibasaki is revelling in his Broncos return. He may be 26 but Shibasaki is on a development deal this season and the Souths discard is banging down the selection door for round 1.
The rugged centre impressed again with some strong carries and is vying with Deine Mariner for the No.4 jumper.
For the Bulldogs, back-rower Jacob Preston scored a superb solo try and rising halfback Toby Sexton called the shots with confidence to suggest he can be Canterbury’s main man this season.
HOT TAKE
Paix has to be in Brisbane’s top 17 for round one. Billy Walters may yet retain the No.9 jumper but Paix has done enough to at least be Brisbane’s No.14 super sub after a barnstorming pre-season.
The Toowoomba terrier is not only tough as teak, but is playing with more speed and smarts around the rucks.
Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton had a shocker and needs to lift his game as one of Canterbury’s big guns. If he and Toby Sexton fire in the halves, Canterbury have a top-eight roster.
FINAL SAY
If defence wins premierships, the Broncos are oozing title quality. Maguire promised to inject a harder edge and for the third consecutive week, the ‘Brick Wall Broncos’ looked menacing without the ball.
The Bulldogs had a late flurry but were held scoreless for 58 minutes. Brisbane look fit and will be hard to penetrate in 2025.
DOLPHINS VS TITANS
The Titans and Dolphins suffered key casualties with Kieran Foran, Daniel Saifiti and Jack Bostock in doubt for the premiership after injury blows in Gold Coast’s 26-18 trial victory at Kayo Stadium.
The Titans atoned for last week’s 50-12 horror show against the Broncos with Jayden Campbell and two-try AJ Brimson showcasing their brilliance to inspire the Coast’s impressive disposal of the Dolphins.
But the Coast’s win, headlined by skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s successful return from a knee reconstruction, was marred by Foran coming off late in the first half with a suspected bicep injury.
The Gold Coast gladiator had ice strapped to his left bicep and scans will determine if the 34-year-old is fit for the Titans’ round 2 clash against the Bulldogs after their first-round bye.
Meanwhile, Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf will be sweating on his star recruit Saifiti (hamstring), who lasted just seven minutes, while Bostock came off in the second half with knee damage.
COMBINATIONS
Cricket has Baz-ball. Rugby league has Des-ball.
Few NRL teams operate their spine like the Titans. Gold Coast coach Des Hasler effectively deployed three fullbacks against the Dolphins with Keano Kini starting at the back, Brimson at six and Campbell at halfback, relegating Foran to the bench.
Hasler’s late reshuffle worked a treat. Kini, Campbell and Brimson were in sublime touch with the talented trio terrorising the Dolphins with speed, skill and tackle-busting power.
Campbell has every bit of his famous father Preston’s instinctive touch and he released a flying Brimson for an 80-metre, 56th-minute special that is an early contender for try of the season.
RECRUIT WATCH
The Dolphins lacked energy in midfield and their collective performance was compounded by the early loss of Saifiti.
Signed from the Knights to replace Jesse Browmich, the NSW Origin prop managed just two hit-ups before limping from the field.
New teammate Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, signed from the Cowboys, showed explosive promise on the edges and produced a stinging shot on Josiah Pahulu just before halftime.
ROOKIE WATCH
Broncos sensation Reece Walsh steals a lot of newsprint, but what about Titans whiz-kid Kini. Wow. He can be the NRL’s superstar of 2025.
The reigning Titans player of the year is an attacking powder keg. Busy, fast, energetic and as fit as an ironman, Kini is an excitement machine and he outpointed Dolphins rival Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
The classy Kini opened the scoring in the eighth minute and finished with 193 metres from 19 runs in a mesmerising display.
HOT TAKE
David Fifita was a shock axing to the extended bench but there is no denying his brute talent. When he was eventually thrown into the fray, Fifita showed remarkable skill to pick up a loose kick and flick a pass for his cousin Jojo to score in the 54th minute.
Fifita put an exclamation mark on the victory by smashing a Dolphins ballrunner in the final minute.
FINAL SAY
The Titans shape as the entertainers of the 2025 season. Even without Foran, the Titans possess some of the most exciting attacking machines in the code in Campbell, Kini and Brimson. They just need the injury-prone Brimson to stay fit.
The Dolphins are clearly missing the presence of injured enforcer Tom Flegler. They must get their scrumbase locked in, with boom halfback Isaiya Katoa kept quiet as Kodi Nikorima and Jake Averillo shared five-eighth duties.
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Originally published as NRL 2025 pre-season trial: Brisbane Broncos defeat Canterbury Bulldogs, Gold Coast Titans defeat Dolphins
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