Week one of the NRL’s two-week trial period is over and some new recruits have given their coaches plenty to think about as Round 1 approaches.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster would have a headache of the good kind after Luke Metcalf put forward a compelling case to start in the halves.
A train-and-trial Sharks playmaker put his name on the map, while Dolphins prodigy Isaiya Katoa overcame a shaky start to stake his claim for the No.7 jersey.
Watch the new look NRL Pre-Season exclusive to Fox League available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Reece Walsh also had a club debut to remember, carving up in the first half and declaring his first game with the Broncos a dream come true.
Reed Mahoney put on a clinic for the Bulldogs, while off the field, new Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has also lived up to expectations.
But not every recruit shined. Veteran hooker Josh Hodgson kicked off his new chapter with the Eels with an error he’d rather forget.
Here are the biggest talking points out of week one of the NRL’s Pre-season Challenge.
WARRIORS RECRUIT’S STATEMENT AUDITION
Former Shark Luke Metcalf put his hand up to partner Shaun Johnson in Round 1 with a “scintillating” performance to down the Tigers.
Only five minutes into the second half, the 23-year-old saw a slender gap and accelerated, burning the cover defence before beating fullback Charlie Staines with pure speed from 40 metres out.
“Blink and he’s gone, what a run by Luke Metcalf, the Warriors add to their tally and that was blinding by the five-eighth,” Fox League’s Warren Smith said.
Metcalf has played only seven NRL games across two years in the NRL but is now in a battle to wear the five-eighth jersey under New Zealand’s new coach Andrew Webster.
To go with his four-pointer, the Warriors recruit ran for 99 metres and broke three tackles during a “clinic” according to Fox League’s Michael Ennis.
“He’s been exceptional, an opportunity that he has grabbed to go across the ditch to New Zealand, kept in the barriers at the Cronulla Sharks,” Ennis said.
“Spent a couple of seasons getting great education from the likes of Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson and Nicho Hynes in recent years.
“The class of young Luke Metcalf, getting his opportunity with the Warriors this year.”
Fox League’s Greg Alexander echoed Ennis’ opinion and believes the young gun has made a “statement” with a “fluent” display.
Now Webster has a big decision regarding the make-up of his spine, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Te Maire Martin also in the frame for spine positions.
Nicoll-Klokstad could shift to the centres, allowing Martin to play fullback like he did on return to the NRL with the Broncos.
Metcalf, with his speed and football intelligence, could also wear the No.1 jersey.
MORE NRL NEWS
ALL STARS: Cobbo statement ends drought as Hynes runs amok in roaming role
STORM VS ROOSTERS: Bellamy’s nightmare as Roosters’ scary reality emerges
RAIDERS VS DOGS: Star recruit ‘at forefront’ as new Dogs live up to expectations
SHARKS VS KNIGHTS: ‘Exceptional’ recruits shine as Newcastle’s old woes surface
MANLY VS SOUTHS: Johns stars in Seibold’s debut as young Turbo fires statement
Warriors rout Tigers in pre-season clash | 01:04
LITTLE-KNOWN RECRUIT WHO COULD SHAKE UP SHARKS
Sharks recruit Niwhai Puru has taken his chance with both hands, delivering a strong performance after slotting into the halves to replace Indigenous All Star Braydon Trindall.
The 21-year-old came through the Panthers junior system and partnered Dolphins star Isaiya Katoa in the halves during Penrith’s Jersey Flegg premiership victory in 2022.
Puru then made the decision to depart for Craig Fitzgibbon’s Sharks, seeing no future at the foot of the mountain with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai in the halves and a logjam of talent in front of him.
Puru inked a development deal with Cronulla ahead of the 2023 season and starred in the Sharks big win over Newcastle — impressing both Fox league’s Andrew Voss and Greg Alexander.
Alexander was full of praise for the young halfback after slotting Mawene Hiroti through a hole for his side’s second try.
“He’s done that exceptionally well… he was a very good junior player for the Panthers,” Alexander said.
“Earned himself a development contract at the Sharks and they’d be liking what they see from the No.7.”
“It’s been a very accomplished display from the former Panthers, he’s been very good, he’s had control of his game and putting in some good minutes for the Sharks,” Voss said.
While Puru is unlikely to edge Trindall out for the utility role, the young playmaker could be next in line for Fitzgibbon should he need a halfback due to injury.
No name Knights struggle vs Sharks | 01:00
UK CHAMPS’ STATEMENT AHEAD OF WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE
St Helens weren’t mucking around on Saturday night, producing a slick performance against a young Dragons outfit — and make a big statement ahead of this weekend’s World Club Challenge.
It was clear before a ball was even kicked that St Helens turned up wanting to make a statement as Fox League cameras captured captain James Roby laying down the law in the sheds pre-game.
Fox League analyst Michael Ennis could see the match — and this trip to Australia — means a lot to the Super League champions.
“St Helens came with a point to prove,” he said.
“You can tell they’ve played a lot of footy together, they’ve been fast and they’ve been slick. They all look fit, fast, ready and prepared for next week’s World Club Challenge.”
Cooper Cronk was also “impressed” saying “they look physically prepared and mentally tough.”
While they did play a side made up of mostly reserve grade players, Corey Parker believes they are still a chance against the back-to-back NRL premiers.
“There’s no reason they can’t turn up and really give it a shake. They firmly believe they can do something against the Panthers,” he said.
Roby echoed that, telling Fox League: “We know what we’re about and we want to show that.”
However he also conceded that the “huge occasion” is “going to be another level.”
The Panthers are expected to play majority of their big guns including superstar halfback Nathan Cleary, who St Helens fullback Jack Welsby will be studying over the next few days.
“I know how good he is, I know his kicking game is pretty spot on close to the tryline and some of his big kicks so it’s something I’m going to look at this week,” Welsby told Fox League.
St Helens see off Dragons in the Gong | 01:34
HODGSON’S EELS DEBUT FALLS FLAT
There’s no doubt that Josh Hodgson will bring a lot to the Eels this season, but his unofficial club debut didn’t exactly go to plan.
Unfortunately for the former Canberra captain he endured a horror start to life in the blue and gold, with his first try assist putting an opposition player under the posts.
The Eels were pushing for a try when Hodgson threw an intercept to Penrith centre Tom Jenkins who ran 95 metres to score.
“Hodgson out of dummyhalf and showing the ball with two hands, they would have scored if they got it on the outside there but (they didn’t),” Fox League analyst Steve Roach said in commentary.
Despite the error, Eels captain Clint Gutherson backed Hodgson to make a huge impact at the club in 2023 — and revealed the veteran put his hand up to play in Saturday’s trial which featured mainly reserve grade players.
“He’s been around the game a long time, a couple of years ago he was one of the best hookers in the game and we’ve seen that in pre-season,” Gutherson said.
“He wanted to play tonight and he’ll go again next week.”
Hodgson missed almost all of last season after rupturing his ACL just six minutes into Round 1 and most importantly, got through the trial unscathed.
He was signed by the Eels to replace Reed Mahoney, who has joined the Bulldogs.
The 33-year-old finished his short stint on the field with one run for five metres, eight runs with zero misses and two errors.
Panthers put Eels away in pre-season | 01:16
INJURY STRIKES STORM ONCE AGAIN
Craig Bellamy’s Storm outfit have been dealt a brutal blow in their first clash of 2023, with Justin Olam suffering a fractured arm.
Bellamy’s side was hampered with injuries in 2022, with Christian Welch, Reimis Smith and George Jennings all suffering season-ending blows.
Now, Melbourne’s gun centre could be sidelined for up to six weeks and could miss the first three weeks of the regular season depending on the severity of the fracture.
“That is a very sad sight, Justin Olam… that’s a terrible sight for Craig Bellamy and the Melbourne Storm,” Fox League’s Warren Smith said.
“He is one tough cookie as well, he wouldn’t be going off the field if he wasn’t in pain,” Fox League’s Shane Flanagan said.
Last year, Bellamy lost regular starting centre Smith for majority of the season after he suffered a pectoral injury — and now Melbourne are facing a similar issue.
The veteran coach will have to find a centre to fill the void left by Olam on the left-side of the field, while he also makes a big call on who takes the backrow spot on the same side of the field following Kenny Bromwich’s departure.
Dean Ieremia and Young Tonumaipea are leading contenders, while Jack Howarth and Will Warbrick are also in contention.
If Ryan Papenhuyzen is fit for the opening rounds, Bellamy will also have backline utility Nick Meaney up his sleeve too.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
CIRALDO’S DOGS LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS
Take a bow Cameron Ciraldo because the Bulldogs’ new era is looking very bright.
Ciraldo has been touted as the best up-and-coming coach in the game and the early signs show he will live up to the expectation in his first gig as an NRL coach.
He specialises in defence and his impact was clear in the Dogs’ first half with the team only missing one tackle for the entire 40 minutes.
“It’s been an enthusiastic start for the Bulldogs,” Fox League’s Steve Roach said.
“We were talking about the collision before and their defence — they only missed one tackle in that first half. It’s really unheard of.
“It just shows how happy the club is at the moment and that they’ve been itching to get out there and play.”
The new-look Dogs were just as strong in attack too, finishing with an 88 per cent completion rate.
“I know it’s only one game but it was a pretty polished display. I was impressed with their ball control — they got through 37 sets… He (Ciraldo) would be rapt with what happened,” Greg Alexander said.
And the rookie coach was indeed happy with what he saw — particularly in defence.
“I really liked it. I liked how hard we worked, I liked how we worked together — I think they were just excited to get out there and play,” Ciraldo told Fox League.
“We’ve just tried to put some (defensive) standards in place and to the boys’ credit they’ve bought right into it. They’ve attacked it with 100 per cent and they’ve come together as a group, which has been the best thing and most important thing for us.
“I really enjoyed seeing some of that out there today.”
Integral to the Dogs’ impressive start to the 34-18 win was star recruit Reed Mahoney, who was everywhere before leaving the field after 20-odd minutes.
Mahoney set up two tries and was constantly barking orders while directing his new team around the park.
Fox League’s Corey Parker believes Mahoney made the biggest difference in the Bulldogs’ “direction around the ruck” and called him a “massive inclusion” to the line-up.
“It was an issue for them last year and he’s been brought to the club do a job,” he said.
“He’s had a terrific first half… he’s been at the forefront of everything they’ve been able to do, particularly in that middle third, he’s made good decisions.
“(A) massive inclusion, particularly for a team who struggled in all areas last season.”
Ciraldo era begins with win over Raiders | 01:25
‘REMEMBER THE NAME’
It would have been easy for Isaiya Katoa to crumble in his first appearance in an NRL competition after a nightmare start.
The 18-year-old halfback dropped the kick-off and put his side in harms way, handing the Cowboys a threatening attacking threat within the first 30 seconds of the club’s NRL debut.
Wayne Bennett’s side were able to fend off the attack before Katoa showed his skills with a smart 40/20.
That kick gave his side field position to score the club’s first try courtesy of an Anthony Milford grubber for Jack Bostock on the right wing.
Katoa also orchestrated the Dolphins’ second try, spotting space in the middle of the park and hitting Lachlan Hubner with a short ball to crash over.
Katoa’s calm head and playmaking abilities impressed Fox League’s analysts and Michael Ennis labelled the former Panthers junior “special” before he once again delivered with the game on the line.
“Some young stars, Katoa looks special, he is going to be good,” Ennis said.
“Signed him up for three years Katoa, Dolphins who of course have Sean O’Sullivan on their books,” Voss said.
As the scores sat 18-16 to the Cowboys, a smart inside ball sparked Mason Teague’s potentially matchwinning try before North Queensland later equalised with seconds on the clock.
“Remember the name, Isaiya Katoa,” Ennis said.
WALSH’S DAZZLING DEBUT
Welcome back to the Broncos Reece Walsh!
The $1.3 million star recruit ran amok against the Titans, scoring a try, getting two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, three tackle busts and an offload.
It took just five minutes to have an impact on the game as he slipped through the Titans’ defence to score.
“The spark and acceleration from Reece Walsh. With his first touch, he looks like he’s in for a good start for the Broncos,” Cooper Cronk said.
Walsh seemed to get better and better as the game went on as he broke through defence in the lead-up to a Broncos try and kicked a 40/20 in the first minute of the second half.
“Hasn’t he put his stamp on this game so far? He hasn’t been perfect, but boy he’s been electric,” Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane said.
He was just as dominant without the ball in his hand too as the 20-year-old was spotted barking orders throughout the game — he even sprayed Ezra Mam for a forward pass.
For Walsh, Sunday’s hitout was so much more than just a trial game. He revealed at half time that finally pulling on the Broncos jersey was a dream come true.
“It’s good to be back, I have dreamt of this moment for a long time and even though it is just a trial game it is good that I’ve got the colours on and I am going to remember this for a long time,” Walsh told Fox League.
The former Warrior has been working closely with Broncos legend Darius Boyd and Cronk believes if he can use the knowledge that Boyd passes down, Walsh will go to another level.
“If Reece Walsh can put some footy IQ around his natural skills, boy will we have a player in 2023.”
