NRL 2024: Canberra’s Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Strange in duel for No. 6, Smithies impresses
The Canberra Raiders have spots up for grabs and cheapies waiting to grab them – FATIMA KDOUH reveals who is leading in the race for a round one start.
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It’s the biggest selection headache for arguably the most intense coach in the NRL – and every studious SuperCoach across the league.
Young gun playmakers Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Strange will go head-to-head for the esteemed No. 6 jumper vacated by Jack Wighton in Canberra when the trials kick off next month.
NRL SuperCoaches will be sweating on the trials form of the duo, who are ranked as the best two bottom dollar options in our Cheapie Bible heading into season 2024.
Wighton’s exit has left coach Ricky Stuart searching for a five-eighth replacement to partner halfback Jamal Fogarty ahead of the club’s season opener against the Newcastle Knights.
Star forward Corey Horsburgh revealed Stuart is yet to decide who will run out in round one as the side fine tunes its combinations.
“We’ve got Jamal at no. 7 and young fellas fighting for that six jersey too. We’ll get a gauge of that around trials time. Whoever stands up to put their best foot forward will get that jersey. Hopefully someone stands up and claims that six (jumper),” Horsburgh said.
“We are still at the point where we are trialling combinations … it’s hard without seeing footy.
“These young fellas have been working hard, they are going to get their chance and hopefully they take it into their own hands. They have lots of skill and talent.”
While Weekes is viewed as the front runner to snare the five-eighth spot, Strange is also an option in the centres for Stuart along with Matt Timoko and Seb Kris.
Teammate Joseph Tapine also revealed Stuart is still trialling a number of different options at fullback including veteran Jordan Rapana and rising stars Xavier Savage and Chevy Stewart.
“I see so many qualities in all of them. Chevy has so much growth and Xavier has so much x-factor. It’s going to be down to who trains the hardest,” Tapine said.
Stuart also has a number of selection calls to make in the forward pack, including Horsburgh’s replacement at no. 13 with the lock currently serving a four-game ban for a shoulder charge on Brisbane’s Corey Jensen.
Tapine has backed new signing and former Wigan Warriors forward Morgan Smithies ahead of the likes of Trey Mooney and Hohepa Puru.
“I’ve been really impressed with Morgs (Smithies), he adds a bit of ball playing in the middle as well,” Tapine said.
A permanent move to lock for Smithies will create a battle for spots on the bench with Horsburgh added to the prop rotation alongside Emre Guler and Ata Mariota.
“I think Paps (Josh Papali’i), he’s definitely going to be in the starting (front row). It’s hard to say because it’s so close.
“That’s who I am comfortable playing with, Paps, me personally. I see Ata playing in the squad somewhere as well. He’s been training outstanding. It’s a tough decision for Sticky, but you’d rather have a tough decision than an easy one.
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Canberra’s Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Strange in duel for No. 6, Smithies impresses
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