NRL 2024 Pre-season Challenge takeaways: Knights v Sharks, Sea Eagles v Roosters

Trent Robinson may have given SuperCoaches a glue as to who will start in the Roosters’ centre spot, while polarising Sea Eagle Josh Schuster was a late scratching from the clash.

Will Pryce. Picture: NRL

Josh Schuster is racing the clock to be ready for the start of the NRL season after being a late withdrawal from the Sea Eagles’ 36-22 trial match loss against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday afternoon.

The 22-year-old has had an unsettled off-season after suffering a spiral fracture in his finger which required surgery, as well as a recent calf strain.

Originally named to play against the Roosters, Schuster was a late withdrawal on medical advice, and will have just one game to press his chances for Round 1.

“He’s going to play next weekend against the Broncos on Saturday afternoon,” coach Anthony Seibold told Fox League on Saturday.

“He’ll fly to Vegas on the Sunday and then we’ll make a decision as to whether he’s in the 17 for the (Rabbitohs) game.

Josh Schuster will play his first trial against the Broncos next week. Picture: NRL Imagery

“But, it’s a long season and this is quite a unique preparation for us.

“The physio has decided to pull him out. We’ll listen to them and give him a good prep in the Broncos’ trial.”

Ben Trbojevic has impressed in the pre-season and could win a starting back-row spot for the clash against South Sydney in Las Vegas.

With the arrival of Luke Brooks to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the half, Schuster has been shifted to an edge back-row role as he looks to reignite his NRL career.

THE YOUNG AND THE RECKLESS

Schuster isn’t the only Sea Eagle in doubt for Vegas with prop Toff Sipley facing a nervous wait for the match review committee charges to drop.

Sipley was placed on report in the 53rd minute for a crusher tackle on Roosters recruit Dom Young who was in discomfort as he hobbled up the tunnel.

The Sea Eagles don’t have much depth in the middle and can’t afford to lose Sipley who was lucky to avoid being sent to the sin bin.

The foul play ended Young’s first game for the Roosters which featured a customary try on the right wing thanks to a lovely no-look pass from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was replaced by Joey Manu in the centres.

CENTRE STAGE

It’s a position most coaches would love to be in, but Trent Robinson has two weeks to choose between a couple of quality players for the left centre spot.

Assuming everyone is fit, James Tedesco will play fullback against Brisbane in Las Vegas, with Young and Daniel Tupou on the wings.

Joseph Manu will play right centre which leaves rugby-bound Suaalii and recently-resigned Billy Smith battling for the other spot in the backline.

Both had some nice touches with Smith reeling in a Luke Keary bomb and then offloading to Tupou who scored the first of his two second-half tries.

Interestingly, Suaalii was the man to make way when Manu came off the bench to start the second half but returned to the field when Young came off.

TRY OF THE YEAR

We’re only a few days into the pre-season but we may have already found the try of 2024 after the Sea Eagles combined for one of the most amazing four-pointers you will ever see.

Down 24-18 with 10 minutes to go, Brandon Wakeham chipped across field from inside his own half for Ray Vaega who ducked under a tackle and flicked a pass to Cameron Brown.

From there, the winger put a banana kick back infield for Jaxson Paulo who let the ball bounce off his knee and chest before he regathered it and scored, only for Wakeham to miss the kick which would have tied things up.

Pure magic from Manly! 🧙‍♂️#NRLRoostersManlypic.twitter.com/9KF0wqTjY1

— NRL (@NRL) February 17, 2024

Trial Takeaways: Ugly KO adds to Knights’ halves headache

- Martin Gabor

Newcastle’s halves pairing for round one isn’t any clearer after Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble both impressed alongside Jackson Hastings who starred in their 44-18 win over Cronulla in Gosford.

Hastings was the best player on the park in the first half as he laid on three try assists – including a chip kick with his left foot for Dylan Lucas – as the Knights overturned an early deficit against a Sharks side missing most of their stars.

The veteran playmaker is virtually assured of the No.7 jersey next month, with Gamble and Cogger fighting it out to partner him in the halves.

Gamble started on Saturday afternoon but lacked any highlight plays, while Cogger came on after 20 minutes and nailed an early 40/20 to mark his return to the club that handed him his debut in 2016.

He’s had an interesting journey since then and played a big part in Penrith’s grand final comeback, with Cogger pouncing on a kick in the second half to score a well-deserved try.

Adam O’Brien has a big decision to make given Hastings and Gamble took them to the finals last year, but Cogger’s class is hard to ignore.

Jackson Hastings dominated Cronulla in the opening half. Picture: NRL

It’s likely all three will play in Newcastle’s second trial, with a hamstring injury to Jayden Brailey potentially opening the door for one of them to come off the bench when the season starts.

“We don’t have to pick the team (yet). I’ll use all the time I need,” the coach said after the game.

“Cogs is a really steady head. He knows to kick you to good field position, hence the 40/20, he knows where to land the ball and set up our defence.

“Jackson has some in-the-moment stuff, some short-game moments, Jack is more of a long-game player.”

THE PRYCE IS RIGHT

He’s at long odds to get a crack in Newcastle’s backline, but new recruit Will Pryce could sneak onto the bench as a utility after he made a bright start to life Down Under.

The Englishman’s father made a habit of scoring eye-catching tries, and just like Leon, Will showed off his raw speed to step past Cronulla’s fullback for a second-half try.

It was an encouraging performance from the young gun, with fellow Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul tipped to play in next week’s trial against the Storm.

Import Will Pryce is pushing for a bench role. Picture: NRL

THE BALD AND THE BRUTAL

NRL coaches want to avoid two main things during the trials – injuries and suspensions.

And while the Sharks don’t have any injury concerns, cult hero Tom Hazelton is likely to earn the ire of the match review committee after he was sent to the sin bin for a late shot that caught Mat Croker high.

That was the lowlight for the depleted Sharks who got off to a flying start with tries to Jayden Berrell and Sione Katoa, while Kade Dykes got some valuable minutes after an ACL injury ruined his 2023 campaign.

“I don’t need to (lose more middle forwards),” Craig Fitzgibbon said.

“I’ll have to have another look at it. Generally speaking, those are usually fines. I think he (Croker) was okay, and that’s generally the best indicator.”

Fast footy as Cogger scores under the posts! 🧨#NRLKnightsSharkspic.twitter.com/rNL72RZdjw

— NRL (@NRL) February 17, 2024

LUCKLESS KNIGHT

Krystian Mapapalangi deserves some good luck this year after the promising young outside back was knocked out just seconds into Saturday’s contest.

Having made his NRL debut in 2022, Mapapalangi was restricted to just one reserve grade appearance last year due to an ongoing shoulder injury.

He was hoping to impress Adam O’Brien in Gosford but was knocked out while trying to tackle Oregon Kaufusi from the kick-off, with the youngster thankfully able to walk from the field but automatically ruled out of next week’s game in Fiji.

Originally published as NRL 2024 Pre-season Challenge takeaways: Knights v Sharks, Sea Eagles v Roosters