The Eels, Storm and Dolphins are bringing out the big guns for week two of the Pre-season Challenge with their respective coaches naming close to full-strength sides.
It’s a very different story for the Rabbitohs, Broncos, Roosters and Sea Eagles though. The four clubs are heading to Vegas this week ahead of the Round 1 double-header and have had to name reserve grade and under 21s players for their final trial.
Meanwhile, AJ Brimson’s switch to the centres has been confirmed and Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has made a call on big-name recruit Stephen Crichton.
Read on for the official teams for week two of the Pre-season Challenge.
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Dolphins playmakers fighting for spots | 01:13
FRIDAY
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters, 6pm AEDT at Belmore Sports Ground
Rabbitohs team: 1. Braidon Burns 2. Leon Te Hau 3. Adam Christensen 4. Leonard Skelton 5. Jude Saldanha 6. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 7. Jarrett Subloo 8. Brock Gray 9. Ryan Gray 10. Yileen Gordon 11. Maila Aluni-Chanfoon 12. Nicholas Halalilo 13. Matthew French 14. CJ Mundine 15. Cade Maloney 16. Chase Chapman 17. Tyson Hodge 18. Kaylen Miller 19. Noah Reed 20. Louis Grossemy 21. Aiden Doolan
Analysis: After the Rabbitohs’ big guns boarded a flight to Vegas on Monday, the club has handed out opportunities to the next generation — mixed in with some experience. Notably, Braidon Burns has been named at fullback after an impressive game last week, while 36-year-old Yileen Gordon has been named at prop. The last time Gordon played in the NRL was 2011 after making his debut for the Rabbitohs in 2005.
Roosters team: 1. Callum Gromek 2. Alexander Young 3. Kyron Fekitoa 4. Ethan Clark-Wood 5. Turoa Williams 6. Coby Thomas 7. Joseph Whitikama Temara Taipari 8. Xavier Va’a 9. Tyler Moriarty 10. Dylan Napa 11. Corey Ross 12. Meli Nasau 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Tayson Fakaosi 16. Zac Saddler 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Harrison McKeon 19. Sione Vaenuku 20. Alan Holten 21. Emery Jolliffe 22. Michael Coleman
Analysis: Like their opponents, the Roosters are bringing out the youngsters for the final trial as the regular first-graders jet off to Vegas. Dom Young’s brother, Alex has been named on the wing, while up-and-coming hooker Tyler Moriarty will also start. Former Bulldog and Sea Eagle Zac Saddler is on the bench and former Origin star Dylan Napa provides plenty of experience up front.
Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 8pm AEDT at Belmore Sports Ground
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Kayal Iro 21. Billy Burns 22. Daniel Atkinson 23. Jayden Berrell 24. Niwhai Puru 25. Kade Dykes 26. Chris Vea’ila
Analysis: Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Royce Hunt and Briton Nikora are back from All Stars duties while Ronaldo Mulitalo, Blayke Brailey, will Kennedy, Jesse Ramien and Toby Rudolf have been named after being rested last week. Veteran forward Dale Finucane will enjoy another week off.
Bulldogs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Poasa Faamausili 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Kitione Kautoga 20. Eli Clark 21. Toby Sexton 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Joash Papali’i 24. Bailey Hayward 25. Bailey Biondi-odo
Analysis: Coach Cameron Ciraldo has made a call on where he’ll play Stephen Crichton with the marquee recruit named in the centres. That means Blake Taaffe keeps the No.1 jersey for now. It looks like Drew Hutchison has won the halfback race as he gets the nod again to start alongside Matt Burton, but Toby Sexton has been included on the bench. Superstar second-rower Viliame Kikau will get his first game of 2024.
SATURDAY
Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights, 1.45pm AEDT at Churchill Park, Lautoka
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Kane Bradley 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Christian Welch 15. Joe Chan 16. Tristan Powell 17. Tyran Wishart 18. Keagan Russell-Smith 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Shawn Blore 21. Bronson Garlick 22. Young Tonumaipea 23. Lazarus Vaalepu 24. Jack Howarth
Analysis: Superstar five-eighth Cameron Munster will get another week off but Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant are back on deck. Ryan Papenhuuyzen will look to build on his return to the field last week as Mr. Fix It Nick Meaney has been named in the centres.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jack Cogger 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Kai Pearce-Paul 18. Thomas Cant 19. Riley Jones 20. David Armstrong 21. Will Pryce 22. Jed Cartwright 23. Brodie Jones 24. Thomas Jenkins 25. Fletcher Sharpe 26. Laitia Moceidreke 27. Fletcher Myers
Analysis: Reigning Dally M medallist Kalyn Ponga returns as coach Adam O’Brien names a full-strength side to go to Fiji. Enari Tuala looks to be in the box seat to fill Dom Young’s vacant wing spot in Round 1, while Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings will get another chance to prove why their combination should stay together with new recruit Jack Cogger named on the bench. English Super League recruit Kai Pearce-Paul has overcome a toe injury and will play off the bench while there’s no sign of Jayden Brailey, who has picked up a hamstring injury during his recovery from a ruptured ACL.
New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins, 3.45pm AEDT at Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Marata Niukore 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Dylan Walker 20. Tom Ale 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Adam Pompey 23. Te Maire Martin 24. Chanel Harris-Tavita 25. Jacob Laban
Analysis: Shaun Johnson has been named to play his first game of 2024 with speedster Luke Metcalf getting the nod at five-eighth. Big-names Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Addin Fonua-Blake and Tohu Harris are also on deck for their first trial, while Kurt Capewell will make his club debut. No sign of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who is nursing a hamstring complaint.
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Tesi Niu 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Valynce Te Whare 16. Jake Averillo 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Josh Kerr 19. Ray Stone 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Connelly Lemuelu 22. Kodi Nikorima 23. Oryn Keeley 24. Jarrod Wallace
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Manly Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos, 5.55pm AEDT at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles team: 1. Bailey Hodgson 2. Max Lehmann 3. Cameron Brown 4. Clayton Faulalo 5. Watson Heleta 6. Jamie Humphreys 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 10. Aitasi James 11. Brad Parker 12. Ben Condon 13. Dean Matterson 14. Kobe Rugless 15. Austin Dias 16. Jacob Sykes 17. James Uesele 18. Caleb Navale 19. Tylor Bunting
Analysis: The stars will leave for Vegas this week which means it’s a battle of the kids and journeymen at Brookvale. Brad Parker kicks off a new chapter of his career in the back row, while Toafofoa Sipley copped a three-game ban this week but will play because trials don’t count and will again captain the side. Brandon Wakeham partners Jamie Humphreys in the halves.
Broncos team: 1. Creedence Toia 2. Sione Hopoate 3. Delouise Hoeter 4. Ethan Quai-Ward 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Kurt Falls 8. Bailey Butler 9. Blake Mozer 10. Benjamin Te Kura 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Ethan O’neill 13. Rory Ferguson 14. Joseph Tomane 15. Joshua Stuckey 16. Cooper Page-Wilson 17. Joshua Patston 18. Kalolo Saitaua 19. Cory Paix
Analysis: Delouise Hoeter will captain this baby Broncos side that includes young guns Blake Mozer and Ben Te Kura. But there’s a few guys starting who have been around the block, including Josh Rogers, former Panther Kurt Falls and Jordan Pereira.
Smaller Vegas field will change tactics | 01:24
SUNDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers, 8.05pm AEDT at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Viliami Fifita 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 18. Michael Molo 19. Connor Muhleisen 20. Christian Tuipulotu 21. Mathew Feagai 22. Sione Finau 23. Max Feagai 24. Toby Couchman
Analysis: Shane Flanagan wants to build on his combinations heading into Round 1 and has named the same starting side that hung tough with the Rabbitohs for 60 minutes in the Charity Shield last weekend. Bulldogs recruit Raymond Faitala-Mariner will make his club debut off the bench.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Justin Olam 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Asu Kepaoa 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Lachlan Galvin 15. Alex Twal 16. Fonua Pole 17. Samuela Fainu 18. Sione Fainu 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Heath Mason 21. Alexander Lobb 22. Navren Willett 23. Sione Latoa-vaihu 24. Solomon Alaimalo
Analysis: Justin Olam will play his first game for the club after overcoming a knee injury and being named in the centres alongside Starford To’a. Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer combined well last week and will line up in the halves again. Highly-touted young gun Lachlan Galvin will come off the bench along with Samuela Fainu.
Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys, 3pm AEDT at Seiffart Oval, Queanbeyan
Raiders team: 1. Albert Hopoate 2. Utuloa Asouma 3. Matthew Timoko 4. James Schiller 5. Xavier Savage 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Ethan Strange 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Emre Guler 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Nick Cotric 16. Trey Mooney 17. Jed Stuart 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Adam Cook 20. Peter Hola 21. Mitch Henderson 22. Zac Hosking 23. Simi Sasagi 24. Pasami Saulo
Analysis: Ricky Stuart isn’t risking halfback Jamal Fogarty and the battle to partner him in the halves will enter a second week with Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Strange both picked again. Matt Timoko returns from Maori All Stars duties but Joe Tapine earns the week off. Elliott Whitehead plays his first game of the year and will captain the side, while Zac Woolford has been named on the bench despite failing an HIA last weekend.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Coen Hess 17. Sam McIntyre 18. Thomas Mikaele 19. Tomas Chester 20. Semi Valemei 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 22. Jack Gosiewski 23. Jake Clifford
Analysis: Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden will play their first match since being named co-captains as Todd Payten rolls out the big guns this week with Scott Drinkwater, Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Chad Townsend, Jeremiah Nanai and Jason Taumalolo all named. Tom Chester, Semi Valemei and Kulikefu Finefuiaki are on the bench after starting last week.
Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels, 5pm AEDT at North Ipswich Reserve
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Keenan Palasia 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Erin Clark 17. Jacob Alick 18. Joe Stimson 19. Harley Smith-Shields 20. Jojo Fifita 21. Thomas Weaver 22. Jaylan De Groot 23. Josiah Pahulu
Analysis: We saw the kids last week and now it’s time for the stars with Des Hasler naming close to a full-strength side to face the Eels. Kieran Foran, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Tanah Boyd, AJ Brimson and Moeaki Fotuaika all start, while Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Brian Kelly and Keenan Palasia return from All Stars duty. Brimson’s move to the centres has also been confirmed. David Fifita (pec) and Jayden Campbell (knee) remain on ice with Hasler keen to see them be available for Round 1.
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Brendan Hands 15. Wiremu Greig 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Morgan Harper 20. Haze Dunster 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Blaize Talagi
Analysis: The big-boppers will get their first match minutes in the legs this season with Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo both named and J’maine Hopgood returns from Indigenous All Stars duty. Captain Clint Gutherson has overcome a knee complaint and will start in a red-hot side that includes Mitch Moses, Dylan Brown and Maika Sivo.
