NRL 2016: Complete guide with team changes and lineups, club details, chances and future hopes
IT’S just days from the start of NRL 2016 so to get you ready here’s a quick season guide with all the information you’ll need heading into this year’s competition.
IT’S just days from the start of NRL 2016 so to get you ready, here’s a quick season guide with all the information you’ll need heading into this year’s competition.
There are standouts and possible also-rans already, but one thing the NRL has taught us in recent years is that any team truly can win it.
Last year the Cowboys showed that with a tweak to your attacking structure, a slight tightening of the defensive line and with a few other elements like luck and simple self-belief, a side can overcome even the most star-laden lineup.
Who are the standouts for 2016? Last year’s grand finalists, the Cowboys and Broncos, haven’t had too much disruption to their squads and are sure to be there, or thereabouts, again.
While from the Sydney crop some strong recruitment by beaches teams Manly and Cronulla mean they’re going to cause some trouble among the ranks while there’s always a dark horse, which this season could fall to Canberra. They’ve done some smart recruitment during the off-season and showed their potential last season, so will be pushing hard.
It kick off Thursday at Parramatta when they host the Broncos, but your club catch-up is right here.
Brisbane Broncos
Home-ground: Suncorp Stadium
Coach: Wayne Bennett
Captain: Corey Parker
2015 finish: Runners-up
Big-name signings: James Roberts (Titans)
Main losses: Dale Copley (roosters), Justin Hodges (retired)
Spine: Darius Boyd, Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough
How they look: Bloody good. Let’s be honest, a team that only lost the grand final in extra time is going to be a shot at the title the next year. They say you have lose one to win one blah, blah, blah, and not much changes for the Broncos in 2016. Justin Hodges may not be there anymore, but they have possibly the fastest man in the competition replacing him in James Roberts. They’re favourites heading into Round 1 for a reason.
Watch out for: Joe Ofahengaue. You’ve probably heard his name already, whether it’s from his rugby playing uncle or this young prop himself. He had an impressive under-20s career and has worked his way into Wayne Bennett’s top 25 this season. Injuries, Origin, suspensions could open the door for him and he wouldn’t disappoint if given a shot.
Canberra Raiders
Home-ground: GIO Stadium
Coach: Ricky Stuart
Captain: Jarrod Croker
2015 finish: 10th
Big-name signings: Jeff Lima (Catalans), Aidan Sezer (Titans)
Main losses: David Shillington (Titans)
Spine: Jack Wighton, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, Josh Hodgson
How they look: Not too bad. Many will write off the Green Machine but they’re not interested in outside opinion. A 10th-place finish last year was fair. They can score points, definitely, it’s their defence that’s been the concern. If they can shut down other sides they can make the finals. Certainly a team to keep an eye on.
Watch out for: Lachlan Croker may not get too much time in first grade this season but the club has massive raps on the young half. Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer are a lock to start in the six and seven, but Croker will be pushing Sam Williams for a start if anything happens to either of those two.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Home-ground: ANZ Stadium, Belmore Sports Ground
Coach: Des Hasler
Captain: James Graham
2015 finish: Semi-finals
Big-name signings: Will Hopoate
Main losses: Damien Cook, Trent Hodkinson, Tim Lafai, Frank Prtichard
Spine: Will Hopoate, Josh Reynolds, Moses Mbye, Michael Lichaa
How they look: They still possess one of the most formidable packs in the league so they’re not short of go-forward, but the question mark is over the performance of their halves and to a lesser extent their spine. Moses Mbye has a big money contract to live up to and a lot hinges on his partnership with Josh Reynolds clicking (and Reynolds’ mind not snapping). Fullback Brett Morris will be sidelined for at least four months because of complications with knee surgery meaning Will Hopoate will likely shift to No. 1 and Chase Stanley or Brad Abbey able to slot into the centres. The instability could result in another year of hits and misses for Canterbury.
Watch out for: Dane Chisholm. He has been brought to the club after being in the English Super League since 2012. Played a couple of games for Melbourne in 2011, but he’s at the Dogs as a back-up half and was impressive in the trial against the Storm when he got a shot after Mbye had a glute strain.
Cronulla Sharks
Home-ground: Sharks Stadium
Coach: Shane Flanagan
Captain: Paul Gallen
2015 finish: Semi-finals
Big-name signings: James Maloney (Roosters), Jesse Sene-Lefao (Sea Eagles), Chad Townsend (Warriors)
Main losses: Michael Gordon (Eels), Jeff Robson (Warriors)
Spine: Jack Bird, James Maloney, Chad Townsend, Michael Ennis
How they look: They'll be ready to go further in 2016, and if they’re ever a shot, this is the year. They have some of the best young talent on their roster but the other end is, well, nearing their end. Paul Gallen turns 35 this year, Michael Ennis will be 32, Luke Lewis 33 and Chris Heighington 34. Players are pushing on longer these days, but the clock is ticking for these guys to win that elusive Sharks title before they call time on their careers. Sharks fans wouldn’t be crazy to think this could be their year.
Watch out for: The recruitment of Jack Rogers makes him a third generation Shark. He’s played juniors on the Gold Coast and dabbled in schoolboy rugby but Cronulla are continuing the family line with him playing in their Holden Cup squad in 2016. If he’s anything like his dad and grandfather, watch out.
Gold Coast Titans
Home-ground: Cbus Super Stadium
Coach: Neil Henry
Captain: Nathan Friend and Williams Zillman
2015 finish: 14th
Big-name signings: Nathan Friend (Warriors), Chris McQueen (Rabbitohs), Tyrone Roberts (Knights), David Shillington (Raiders)
Main losses: Kevin Gordon (retired), Nate Myles (Sea Eagles), James Roberts (Broncos), Aidan Sezer (Raiders), Dave Taylor (Catalans)
Spine: William Zillman, Tyrone Roberts, Ashley Taylor, Nathan Friend
How they look: They’re locking away all their mirrors, packing up the ladders and putting out black cat deterrent because the club just can’t take any more bad luck coming their way. They’ve picked up a couple of handy forwards in David Shillington and Chris McQueen but the loss of James Roberts is a big one and it’s hard to see the Titans making any kind of dint on the comp this year.
Watch out for: Their “hair bears” are fan favourites and one in particular — Agnatius Paasi — seems destined for a big season. He made the Auckland Nines team of the tournament and has impressed in pre-season.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Home-ground: Brookvale Oval
Coach: Trent Barrett
Captain: Jamie Lyon
2015 finish: 9th
Big-name signings: Lewis Brown (Panthers), Apisai Koroisau (Panthers), Darcy Lussick (Eels), Nate Myles (Titans), Martin Taupau (Tigers), Dylan Walker (Rabbitohs)
Main losses: Matt Ballin (Tigers), Kieran Foran (Eels), Clinton Gutherson (Eels), Peta Hiku (Panthers), Jesse Sene-Lefao (Sharks)
Spine: Brett Stewart, Dylan Walker, Daly Cherry-Evans, Apisai Koroisau
How they look: They’ve already won in the recruitment stakes, now it’s up to new coach Trent Barrett to turn that into results. The biggest question is the halves. Dylan Walker will start at 6, where he played his junior football, but his NRL career thus far has been played in the centres. Nate Myles shores up their forward pack and will be a great leader for some of the best young props coming through. This season should be one in which Manly is back among the best.
Watch out for: Liam Knight. Young Jake Trbojevic made his mark in the forwards last season and this year Knight has stepped up to the NRL squad and could earn some time in the top grade.
Melbourne Storm
Home-ground: AAMI Park
Coach: Craig Bellamy
Captain: Cameron Smith
2015 finish: Preliminary finals
Big-name signings: No major signings
Main losses: Ryan Hinchcliffe (Huddersfield), Kurt Mann (Dragons)
Spine: Billy Slater, Blake Green, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith
How they look: You can never write off the Storm. Last year questions started floating as to whether their “Big Three” were too old, but they still pushed to the preliminary final, and that was without fullback Billy Slater. They have a habit of recruiting supposed has-beens and turning them into somethings so expect that again. Probably not top-four contenders, but it would be unwise to rule them out of top eight contention.
Watch out for: Expect a big season from Jordan McLean. He’s 25 this year and starting to come into the peak time for a prop to make their mark.
Newcastle Knights
Home-ground: Hunter Stadium
Coach: Nathan Brown
Captain: Trent Hodkinson, Tariq Sims & Jeremy Smith
2015 finish: Last
Big-name signings: Trent Hodkinson (Bulldogs)
Main losses: Kurt Gidley (Warrington), Chris Houston (Widnes), Tyrone Roberts (Titans), Beau Scott (Eels)
Spine: Jake Mamo, Jarrod Mullen, Trent Hodkinson, Tyler Randell
How they look: If Knights fans can accept they need a season for new coach Nathan Brown to shake the place up and make it his own then 2016 won’t be as painful as last year, but it still may hurt a bit. Some dead wood has been cut from the squad and they certainly have some young players coming through to be excited about, but having any kind of impact this year is far-fetched. Trent Hodkinson is a smart purchase and he provides calm and stability from the playmaker role, but it’s not going to be enough for a complete about-face from last year’s spoon finish.
Watch out for: Will Pearsall has attracted plenty of raps throughout his under-20s career. Arriving from Manly, he could get a shot this season should Jarrod Mullen or Hodkinson succumb to injury.
North Queensland Cowboys
Home-ground: 1300SMILES Stadium
Coach: Paul Green
Captain: Matt Scott and Johnathan Thurston
2015 finish: Premiers
Big-name signings: No major signings
Main losses: Glenn Hall (retired)
Spine: Lachlan Coote, Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston, Jake Granville
How they look: The premiers haven’t changed much from last year and why would you? If Johnathan Thurston can produce another standout season — and if he continues his trend of the past few years he’s sure to — then the Cowboys will again be there at the business end. Paul Green instilled resolve to the side and where they once dropped games, the Cowboys were suddenly grinding them out. There’s talk Coote may be pushed out because of cap pressure, so the title-winning spine has one season to do it again.
Watch out for: Gideon Gela-Mosby is a try-scoring wiz. He set a record for most tries in a season last year and the quietly spoken Torres Strait Islander has another season of under-20s to continue honing his skills. Keep an eye on him though, he’s fullback/winger of the future.
Parramatta Eels
Home-ground: Pirtek Stadium, ANZ Stadium
Coach: Brad Arthur
Captain: Kieran Foran and Tim Mannah
2015 finish: 12th
Big-name signings: Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles), Michael Gordon (Sharks), Clinton Gutherson (Sea Eagles), Michael Jennings (Roosters), Beau Scott (Knights)
Main losses: Will Hopoate (Bulldogs), Darcy Lussick (Sea Eagles), Reece Robinson (union)
Spine: Michael Gordon, Kieran Foran, Corey Norman, Nathan Peats
How they look: Not bad. They won the Auckland Nines but that doesn’t mean much in terms of the competition proper. What is working most in their favour is the arrival of players like Kieran Foran, Michael Gordon, Beau Scott and Michael Jennings. It’s a lot of big names coming in and the combination of Corey Norman — who’s had a fantastic pre-season — and Foran has Eels fans absolutely salivating about the season ahead.
Watch out for: Some guns in their under-20s. Bevan French made a name for himself with an outstanding performance at the Nines, but there’s also Alex Twal in Holden Cup and both could spend some time in reserves in prep for future NRL debuts.
Penrith Panthers
Home-ground: Pepper Stadium
Coach: Anthony Griffin
Captain: Matt Moylan
2015 finish: 11th
Big-name signings: Peta Hiku (Sea Eagles), Suaia Matagi (Roosters), Trent Merrin (Dragons)
Main losses: Lewis Brown (Sea Eagles), Sika Manu (Hull), Nigel Plum (retired)
Spine: Matt Moylan, Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace, James Segeyaro
How they look: There’s potential but things need to click. A concern is the debate surrounding who will be their halves. They have two established names in Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace there, but talk points to Matt Moylan having some time play-making in prep for a permanent move, a la Darren Lockyer, while Te Maire Martin will be turning out for Windsor to have him ready to make it in the NRL. Trent Merrin is to be the pack leader this year but they’ve lost two of the game’s hardest hitters in Nigel Plum and Adam Docker.
Watch out for: Te Maire Martin, no doubt. He was always a star for Wests Tigers under-20s, where he’s come from, and showed during trials the buckets of potential he possesses.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Home-ground: WIN Stadium, Jubilee Oval, ANZ Stadium
Coach: Paul McGregor
Captain: Ben Creagh and Gareth Widdop
2015 finish: Elimination finals
Big-name signings: Tim Lafai (Bulldogs), Kurt Mann (Storm), Mose Masoe (St Helens)
Main losses: Dan Hunt (retired), Trent Merrin (Panthers), Eto Nabuli (union)
Spine: Kurt Mann, Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall, Mitch Rein
How they look: Don’t write these guys off. They’re always a team many don’t give much consideration but they showed last year they can cause trouble. They have attacking players and defensive nous and if injuries stay away they’ll be pushing the top eight again this year. Coach McGregor has done some smart recruitment and bulked up his pack and he’s confident he now has the roster he wants to work with.
Watch out for: Matt Dufty continues to be spoken about among the Dragons’ circles and he earned some time with the NRL squad this pre-season as one among the mix to take over at fullback should Josh Dugan move to the centres. It’s unlikely he’ll get the nod, but he’s one to keep an eye on.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Home-ground: ANZ Stadium
Coach: Michael Maguire
Captain: Greg Inglis
2015 finish: Elimination finals
Big-name signings: Sam Burgess (union), Damien Cook (Bulldogs)
Main losses: Tim Grant (Tigers), Issac Luke (Warriors), Chris McQueen (Titans), Glenn Stewart (Catalans), Dylan walker (Sea Eagles)
Spine: Greg Inglis, Luke Keary, Adam Reynolds, Damien Cook
How they look: With Sam Burgess back in the fold they can’t look bad. He’ll deny he’s the one who’s going to turn around the sputtering end to last season, but he’s going to make a hell of a difference. Burgess is a leader and the players will follow him. How well Damien Cook can replace Issac Luke will be an interesting change in this side. Luke played a massive role in generating Souths’ go forward but Cook showed for the Bulldogs last year he can be a dangerous runner in his own right.
Watch out for: Angus Crichton had a decorated schoolboys rugby career and has been named in the club’s top 25. He’s a second rower keen to crack the first grade team this season.
Sydney Roosters
Home-ground: Allianz Stadium
Coach: Trent Robinson
Captain: Jake Friend
2015 finish: Preliminary finals
Big-name signings: Dale Copley (Broncos)
Main losses: Michael Jennings (Eels), James Maloney (Sharks), Suaia Matagi (Panthers), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
Spine: Blake Ferguson, Jayden Nikorima, Jackson Hastings, Jake Friend
How they look: Their performance at the World Club Series isn’t the best indicator for how they’ll match up against NRL sides, but there are promising signs from their young halves. Mitchell Pearce isn’t likely to be missing for too long, but the loss of Tuivasa-Sheck and Jennings will also take some time to fill. Coach Trent Robinson won’t use his early roster woes as an excuse, but don’t expect the Roosters to shoot to another minor premiership.
Watch out for: There’s a wealth of young talent at the Roosters and many may get their shot this year. One coming through is young winger Charlie Taylor who has speed and knows how to find the line. He’ll spend time in NSW Cup but may get a shot at NRL later in the season.
Warriors
Home-ground: Mt Smart Stadium
Coach: Andrew McFadden
Captain: Ryan Hoffman
2015 finish: 13th
Big-name signings: Issac Luke (Rabbitohs), Jeff Robson (Sharks), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Roosters)
Main losses: Nathan Friend (Titans), Sam Tomkins (Wigan), Chad Townsend (Sharks)
Spine: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Johnson, Jeff Robson, Issac Luke
How they look: They always look good, but that doesn’t mean they’ll perform well. The Warriors are never short on flash but it’s a calming, patient influence the team needs to be able to succeed. It’s why Ryan Hoffman was brought to the club, and he’s now captaining the side, and Jeff Robson will provide that control in the halves. But the prospect of Tuivasa-Sheck running off Shaun Johnson will be worth the price of admission to their games.
Watch out for: Solomone Kata. He’s not unknown but he’s in for another big year. What we saw from him last season will only get better in 2016 and playing alongside someone like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is known for his complete dedication to succeeding, will only make guys like Kata strive for more.
Wests Tigers
Home-ground: Leichhardt Oval, Campbelltown Stadium, ANZ Stadium
Coach: Jason Taylor
Captain: Aaron Woods
2015 finish: 15th
Big-name signings: Matt Ballin (Sea Eagles), Tim Grant (Rabbitohs)
Main losses: Keith Galloway (Leeds), Pat Richards (Catalans), Martin Taupau (Sea Eagles)
Spine: James Tedesco, Mitchell Moses, Luke Brooks, Robbie Farah
How they look: Already they’re being hit hard by injuries and look like starting Round 1 without a top-flight hooker. Robbie Farah is sidelined and Matt Ballin is still in rehab so Jason Taylor is under immense pressure from the outset. They have one of the youngest but most talented spines and it’s make or break for Brooks and Moses this season, they’ve had their time to find their feet, now they must take full control.
Watch out for: There’s another Sironen — Bayley — who’ll get time in reserves this year and could be NRL-bound in the next few years. And the Tigers picked up two Joshes this season — Addo-Carr and Aloiai — who have had big raps throughout their Holden Cup careers and will start their prep for NRL debuts down the track.
Originally published as NRL 2016: Complete guide with team changes and lineups, club details, chances and future hopes
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