NRL 2025 trials week one: Big guns rolled out for Pre-Season Challenge
A host of big guns will get their first hit-out of the season in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge this weekend. Check out full squads here
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A host of big guns are being rolled out for week one of the Pre-Season Challenge.
They include Isaiah Papali’i, James Fisher-Harris and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
See full sides below.
Sharks v Warriors, Friday 7.30pm at Shark Park
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. Kayal Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Niwhai Puru 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Jayden Berrell 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Siosifa Talakai 12. Billy Burns 13. Oregon Kaufusi 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Tuku Hau Tapuha 16. Lachlan Crouch 17. Blake Hosking 18. Chris Veaila 19. Kyle Pickering 20. Michael Gabrael 21. Bradley Fearnley 22. Taj Ford 23. Riley Pollard 24. Eli Clark 25. Kristian Dixon 26. Felix Faatili 27. Samuel McCulloch
News: Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has resisted playing his biggest names including Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Jesse Ramien and Ronaldo Mulitalo.
However, the likes of Will Kennedy, Siosifa Talakai, Sione Katoa, Kayal Iro, Braden Hamlin-Uele and Thomas Hazelton will all feature.
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jacob Laban 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Demitric Vaimauga 15. Marata Niukore 16. Moala Graham-Taufa 17. Sio Kali 18. Edward Kosi 20. Luke Hanson 21. Jett Cleary 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Daeon Amituanai 24. Bunty Afoa 25. Eddie Ieremia
News: James Fisher-Harris, the four-time premiership-winner with Penrith and 2023 Golden Boot winner, will join an almost full-strength Warriors line-up.
Joining Fisher-Harris in the Warriors trial match line-up are big guns Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Marata Niukore, Luke Metcalf and Te Mare Martin.
The reason the Warriors will field so many heavyweights is due to the upcoming All Stars fixture, for which the Warriors will be major contributors and therefore be unavailable for the club’s second trial against the Storm.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster can ill-afford to waste time forming key combinations prior to flying to Las Vegas to tackle the Raiders.
Panthers v Raiders, Saturday 7.30pm at Shark Park
Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Jesse McLean 3. Sione Fonua 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Casey McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Brad Schneider 8. Luron Patea 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Preston Riki 11. Mavrik Geyer 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Trent Toelau 15. Harrison Hassett 16. John Sagaga 17. Riley Wake 18. Zack Lamont 19. Niko Apelu 20. David Fale 21. Falefa Letoi 22. Billy Scott 23. Jaxen Edgar 24. Zac Lipowicz 25. Samuel Lane 26. Billy Phillips 27. Nick Murphy
News: No members of the grand final winning side will take the field, but new recruit Isaiah Papali’i will make his first appearance in a Penrith jumper.
A host of big guns including Nathan Cleary and Blaize Talagi will get a chance in a planned scrimmage against North Sydney Bears before the Panthers NRL side jets off to Las Vegas on February 20.
Raiders: 1. Chevy Stewart 2. Michael Asomua 3. Albert Hopoate 4. Manaia Waitere 5. Jed Stuart 6. Adam Cook 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Jordan Martin 9. Owen Pattie 10. Pasami Saulo 11. Simi Sasagi 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Myles Martin 14. Ethan Alaia 15. Izaac Tu’itupou 16. Regan Carr 17. Mark Tuialii 18. Keahn Skipps 19. Jenson Taumoepeau 20. Jalen Afamasaga 21. Peter Taateo 22. Shaun Packer 23. Jake Clydsdale 24. Joseph Roddy 25. Noah Martin 26. Ata Mariota 27. Mitchell Prest 28. Jaxon Lavender
News: Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will unleash former Parramatta junior Ethan Sanders at halfback, while Chevy Stewart is named at fullback, where Kaeo Weekes is the favourite for round 1.
Albert Hopoate has been named on the wing but will miss the trip to Las Vegas for the birth of his child. Savelio Tamale is favourite for the spot although he hasn’t been named this week.
New recruit and Englishman Matty Nicholson, who is gunning for a bench spot, has been named in the back row.
Workhorse forward Zac Hosking is tracking well from a calf injury and should be available for the second week of the trials against Cronulla on February 13.
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Originally published as NRL 2025 trials week one: Big guns rolled out for Pre-Season Challenge
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