Wade Graham has answered Craig Fitzgibbon’s SOS to start in the halves for Cronulla on Friday night, while the Sydney Roosters will trot out a host of stars, including Brandon Smith, for the opening weekend of the trials.
Graham will team up with Panthers youngster Niwhai Puru for their first-up blowout against Newcastle on Friday night, with Matt Moylan rested and regular halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall on Indigenous All Stars duty.
A powerful No.6 when he first burst on to the scene with Penrith, Graham – who is entering his 16th season in the top flight – has only started in the halves twice in the past eight seasons, but happy to do what Fitzgibbon needs.
“We’re a bit skinny in the halves, I’m almost the last man standing, so ‘Fitzy’ has asked me to jump in there, and I’m more than happy to – I’m there to play footy and I’m keen,” Graham told the Herald.
“Niwhai is a good kid, he’s talented, a good ball-player, he’s put his head down and is learning off ‘Moyza’ [Moylan] and Nicho. He’s not overly big, but he’s from the west, so I bet you he’s willing. He gets an opportunity on Friday night, and I’ll be there to help him out the best I can.”
Graham remains unsure what he does beyond this year and will make the call in July. He said family would have a big say on what happens beyond 2023, with a move to the south of France already mooted.
Wade Graham will start in the halves for Cronulla in their first pre-season trial.
Credit:Jessica Hromas/SMH
Cronulla will roll out some established forwards including Cameron McInnes, Toby Rudolf, Jack Williams and Braden Hamlin-Uele.
Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble will team up in the halves for the Knights, who will also start the Saifiti brothers, Jacob and Daniel, up front.
South Sydney and Manly are the second leg of the double-header on the Central Coast, with Blake Taaffe and exciting centre Josiah Karapani named to play for the Bunnies, and Toafofoa Sipley to captain the Sea Eagles.
Premiers Penrith will not field any members from their grand final side against the Eels who have new recruit Josh Hodgson at hooker and Ryan Matterson in the forwards. Shaun Lane will skipper the blue and golds.
Jackson Hastings has been named to make his first appearance for the Newcastle Knights.
Trent Robinson, meanwhile, has gone all out with the Roosters for their trip down south against the Storm, with former Melbourne favourite Brandon Smith to start at dummy-half, and joined by NRL regulars Matt Lodge, Lindsay Collins, Egan Butcher and Victor Radley.
Joseph Suaali’i starts in the centres with Daniel Tupou on the wing, not to mention starting halves Luke Keary and Sam Walker in a Roosters side rated $6 joint favourites to win the two-week pre-season challenge.
Jarrod Croker returns from a season-ending shoulder injury to lead Canberra against Canterbury who have listed recruit Reed Mahoney, returning favourite son Josh Reynolds and big Englishman Luke Thompson.
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett knows time is not on his side and will play the bulk of his NRL talent, including Anthony Milford and former Panthers and GPS rugby star Isaiya Katoa in the halves for the Cairns clash against North Queensland.
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