Described as a “bit of a Jason Taumalolo-like clone”, Fonua Pole will be one of the youngsters looking to make an immediate impression with coach Tim Sheens in Wests Tigers’ first trial match of 2023 on Thursday.
The NRL’s $100,000 prize purse for the winner of the new pre-season challenge will not be enough to tempt coaches to rush back their stars for this weekend’s fixtures.
But fans will still get the chance to watch fringe players, including Pole who played ten NRL games at the back end of last season and has impressed over the summer.
A regular winner of the club’s ‘trainer of the week award’, 20-year-old Pole has spent time in the front row and on an edge, and will play in both positions against the Warriors on Thursday night.
Tigers representative recruit David Klemmer, who will not feature against the Warriors, praised Pole for his athleticism and work rate, comparing him to Cowboys wrecking ball Taumalolo. “He’s just so athletic,” Klemmer said.
Pole, who has already been extended through until the end of 2025, has the chance to nail down the starting No. 13 jersey come round one, especially if Joe Ofahengaue fails to overcome a niggling calf injury.
Fonua Pole is in for a big year with Wests Tigers
Stefano Utoikamanu, another player who has won over Klemmer, will start up front, while excitement machine Jahream Bula will spend some time off the bench at fullback. Charlie Staines will wear the No.1.
In other trial news, Manly will keep Josh Schuster under wraps against South Sydney on Friday evening on the Central Coast, with Cooper Johns to get some game time along with 19-year-old front-rower Samuela Fainu, a prop with plenty of admirers on the northern beaches.
Josh Reynolds makes his long-awaited return for the Bulldogs in their hit-out against Canberra in Moruya, young centre Paul Alamoti will play, with Jake Averillo to feature in several positions.
James Tamou is expected to pull on the North Queensland Cowboys colours for the first time since the end of 2016 when he lines up against Redcliffe on Sunday. Bookies have listed the Cowboys $6.50 joint favourites with Penrith to take out the pre-season challenge.
St Helens will use all 26 players against St George Illawarra.Credit:Flavio Brancaleone/SMH
The Panthers will rest nearly all of their big guns against Parramatta, and are eager to see young quartet Harry Hassett, Jack Cole, Jesse McLean and Isaiah Iongi punch out some decent minutes.
Another Penrith junior, Niwhai Puru, will feature in the halves for Cronulla in their clash with Newcastle. The Sharks are already without halves options Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall because of Indigenous All Stars duty.
Christian Welch and Reimis Smith will both return from lengthy injury-layoffs for the Storm when they host the Roosters on Sunday afternoon.
Super League champions St Helens will use all 26 players against the Dragons on Saturday night, and wear a two-blue strip they have not worn in nearly 20 years. St George Illawarra fans should keep an eye on Treigh Stewart who will spend time at fullback with Tyrell Sloan involved with the All Stars.
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
