‘Massive blow’ leaves Rabbitohs star racing clock for Vegas; Dogs’ selection puzzle: Rd 1 Team Tips

The start of the 2024 season is just under a month away with a historic double header in Las Vegas.

But with teams to feature in trial games over the next three weekends, there’s still a bit to play out in terms of clubs figuring out their Round 1 line-ups.

One of the Vegas teams, Souths, is already facing a selection dilemna with one of their stars set to be ruled out for half the season.

There are key players at several clubs under injury clouds that have to be monitored over the coming weeks.

Read on for the NRL Team Tips for Round 1.

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SUNDAY MARCH 3

Manly Sea Eagles vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 1.30pm AEDT

Predicted Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Reuben Garrick 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Jason Saab 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Taniela Paseka 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Ben Trbojevic 17. Ethan Bullemor

Team Tips: Josh Schuster’s finger injury is giving him some grief with Manly CEO Tony Mestrov telling Fox League that the back rower “can’t do ball work” at the moment because of it. With that said, he’ll likely line up against the Roosters In their trial game next week. If Schuster doesn’t play in Vegas, expect Ben Trbojevic to slot into the starting line-up. A few fringe players like Nathan Brown and Tommy Talau have been named in the Sea Eagles squad to play Souths in an untelevised trial in Gosford this Sunday. Strong performances could see them push for selection in the Vegas season opener.

Predicted Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Jai Arrow 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Tom Burgess 17. Sean Keppie

Team Tips: Already dealing with the news that Campbell Graham has been booked in for sternum surgery that will keep him sidelined for 4-6 months, the Rabbitohs have been dealt another setback. Indigenous coach Ronnie Griffiths confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald that Cody Walker is out of the All Stars game due to a calf injury, with the five-eighth now said to be no certainty to play in South Sydney’s Las Vegas season opener. “It’s a massive blow for us and a massive blow for Cody because he’s a player who makes himself available every year,” Griffiths told the Herald. Dean Hawkins looms as the most logical replacement for Walker if unavailable. Meanwhile, Isaiah Tass will likely slot into the centres for Graham for most of that peroid which should see young gun Tyrone Munro get a regular spot on the wing. However, it will be trickier for Souths’ season opener with star recruit Jack Wighton unavailable through suspension. Braidon Burns is playing in their first trial this weekend but he’s on a NSW Cup contract which means he’s unavailable for NRL selection until Round 11 unless the club gets an exemption. Taane Milne, Jacob Gagai and Josiah Karapani are options to replace Wighton. The Rabbitohs have named a very inexperienced side for the trial against Manly on Sunday, but Burns and Milne are both playing while former Sea Eagle Sean Keppie is the only new off-season addition for the Bunnies.

Sydney Roosters vs. Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 3.30pm AEDT

Predicted Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Joseph Suaalii 3. Joseph Manu 4. Billy Smith 5. Dom Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May

Team Tips: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was able to serve some of his suspension during New Zealand’s Pacific Championship run after the Roosters used the International loophole. However, the Kiwis enforcer will still miss the opening two rounds, with recruit Spencer Leniu set to earn a start in the front row in his place and Terrell May filling the prop replacement role on the bench beside back-rowers Egan Butcher and Sitili Tupouniua. Recruit Dom Young looks set to earn a spot on the wing, with Joseph Suaalii on the other and Daniel Tupou the unlucky man out. Billy Smith partners Joseph Manu in the centres.

Predicted Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Selwyn Cobbo 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Corey Oates 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Jordan Riki 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Xavier Willison

Team Tips: The Broncos received a huge boost in recent days with Ezra Mam signing a five-year extension. He’ll partner Adam Reynolds in the halves. Selwyn Cobbo will shift into the centres to take the place of the departed Herbie Farnworth. That will open up veteran Corey Oates returning to the side on the wing. In addition to Farnworth, forwards Tom Flegler, Keenan Palasia and Kurt Capwell have all left. Fletcher Baker arrives from the Roosters and he could take Flegler’s spot in the starting line up although workhorse Corey Jensen is the favourite to be given the no. 8 jersey. Also in the mix is 204cm giant Ben Te Kura. According to the Courier Mail, Te Kura will be unleashed in the Broncos first trial against Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval. The teenager, who is yet to make his NRL debut, would be among the biggest in the game and already would be the tallest player in history at 205cm – frighteningly, at 19 years of age, he has room to grow. Broncos great Corey Parker, who has tracked Te Kura said he was confident Te Kura can make an impact in the NRL. “He’s an enormous kid, one of the biggest I’ve ever seen. Ben’s got all the skills and I have no doubt he can play NRL in the coming seasons. He’s certainly raw, he’s quite green and still learning from senior players at the Broncos, but I’ve got a big wrap on him. Fitness will be the key for Ben.”

THURSDAY MARCH 7

Newcastle Knights vs. Canberra Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium, 8.00pm AEDT

Predicted Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Bradman Best 4. Dane Gagai 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Leo Thompson 16. Kai Pearce-Paul 17. Jack Hetherington

Team Tips: The vacant wing spot left by Dom Young (Roosters) shapes as being the big battle of the pre-season. Enari Tuala and Panthers recruit Tom Jenkins are the two in the running. UK import Kai Pearce-Paul has plenty of upside and will be pushing for a bench spot to begin the season. Dummyhalf Jayden Brailey returns from injury and will be in starting line-up, with Phoenix Crossland in all likelihood heading back to the bench despite his excellent 2023.

Predicted Raiders team: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Ethan Strange 4. Matt Timoko 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Emre Guler 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Tom Starling 15. Morgan Smithies 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Zac Hosking

Team Tips: Kaeo Weekes is the favourite to be given first crack in the five-eighth spot with Jack Wighton leaving for Souths. The forward pack is pretty settled although Corey Horsburgh will be missed for a few weeks due to suspension. Emre Guler will take his spot for the first month. The versatile Seb Kris will also miss a month through suspension. Xavier Savage was in good form in the NSW Cup last year and will likely be given the nod at fullback but has competition from rising star Chevy Stewart. Ethan Strange was blooded in one game against the Storm last season and held his own. He is the front runner to partner the hard-running Matt Timoko in the centres. New recruits Zac Hosking and Morgan Smithies are likely to nab bench spots

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FRIDAY MARCH 8

New Zealand Warriors vs. Cronulla Sharks at Go Media Stadium, 6.00pm AEDT

Predicted Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 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. Mitch Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Tom Ale 17. Bunty Afoa

Team Tips: Favourite son Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns after a stint in rugby union and slots into the centres. Adam Pompey is the player who likely makes way with Rocco Berry the pick of those two last season. Andrew Webster has confirmed that Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad will stay at fullback. Luke Metcalf should be the favourite to win the No.6 jersey over Te Maire Martin. Metcalf signalled he has a bright future after a promising 2023 which was cut short by injury. Shaun Johnson is an outside chance to miss round 1 (ankle). Kurt Capewell slots straight into the side after being poached from the Broncos, with Jackson Ford dropping to the bench.

Predicted Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Tom Hazelton 17. Jesse Colquhoun

Team Tips: Will Kennedy’s fullback is all his with Connor Tracey leaving to go to the Bulldogs. The Sharks are without Matt Moylan and Wade Graham but have the depth to cover those departures. Teig Wilton returns from a season-ending knee injury suffered in 2023 and slots into the back row. Braydon Trindall impressed at times last year and partners superstar Nicho Hynes in the halves.

Melbourne Storm vs. Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park, 8.05pm AEDT

Predicted Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Xavier Coates 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Will Warbrick 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Tui Kamikamica 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eli Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Shawn Blore 17. Sua Fa’alogo

Team Tips: The big question is whether Ryan Papenhuyzen will be fit enough to feature in Round 1 and all signs point to yes. Storm CEO confirmed on SEN that Papenhuyzen will play in the team’s first trial against the Bulldogs next Thursday night. The star fullback will be hoping for an uninterrupted season after only playing in three games in 2023 because of injury. The super talented Sua Fa’alogo is being tipped to come off the pine against the Panthers where Craig Bellamy will be hoping he can come on and take advantage of some tired legs in the middle. New recruit Shawn Blore adds some starch off the bench for a forward pack who were outplayed by the Panthers in last year’s preliminary final.

Predicted Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Luke Garner 17. Liam Henry

Team Tips: Penrith are the only team who won’t take part in the Pre-Season Challenge as they will be contesting the World Club Challenge in the UK. There are no real injury concerns at this stage with the departed trio of Spencer Leniu (Roosters), Jack Cogger (Knights) and Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs) the only three missing from our predicted Round 1 squad that featured in the grand final. Taylan May, who is returning from an ACL injury he suffered in last year’s World Club Challenge, has indicated he wants to replace Crichton in the centres however the loyal Ivan Cleary could give first crack to Tyrone Peachey.Soni Luke and Luke Sommerton are in contention for Penrith’s back-up hooker spot.

SATURDAY MARCH 9

Parramatta Eels vs. Canterbury Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium, 5.30pm AEDT

Predicted Eels team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Junior Paulo 9. Brendan Hands 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Joey Lussick 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Wiremu Greig

Team Tips: Our predicted Eels Round 1 side is far too talented to not be playing finals after a disappointing 2023. The main question mark is who will start the season at hooker with a battle in two brewing between Brendan Hands and Joey Lussick. Shaun Lane is set for a big season after an injury-riddled 2023 campaign.

Predicted Bulldogs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Josh Curran 14. Jaeman Salmon 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Kurt Mann

Team Tips: One of the more anticipated Round 1 line-ups will be the new-look Bulldogs. Stephen Crichton slots straight into the centres with another recruit in Blake Taaffe the likely fullback. Former Warrior Josh Curran is expected to start at lock. Connor Tracey would be pushing for a Round 1 spot but is injured. Much was made about the number of utilities the Bulldogs signed this off-season, and two of them in Kurt Mann and Jaeman Salmon will be in the running for a spot on the pine to start the season. Toby Sexton will be the Bulldogs halfback in Round 1 but if he has a slow start to the season, Drew Hutchison is waiting in the wings.

Gold Coast Titans vs. St George Illawarra Dragons at Cbus Super Stadium, 7.35pm AEDT

Predicted Titans team: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. AJ Brimson 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Mo Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Keenan Palasia 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Keano Kini 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui

Team Tips: According to The Courier Mail, David Fifita, who signed a $2.4m extension last year, and Jayden Campbell are against the clock to be fit for Round 1 and with the Titans having the bye in Round 2, they could be put on ice for the first game. If that’s the case, emerging star Keano Kini could play fullback with AJ Brimson in the centres. Fifita suffered a torn pectoral in December while Campbell underwent knee surgery last season. aaa“David is progressing well, hopefully he gets cleared in a week or two and can start the heavy training,” coach Des Hasler said. “It will depend on the next diagnosis. (Campbell) is going okay and recuperating pretty well. He is getting better and is pending his next medical check-up with the surgeon.” Meanwhile, Beau Fermor is expected to start in the forwards on his return from an ACL injury alongside new recruit Keenan Palasia, who was one of the Broncos’ best in the grand final.

Predicted Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Dan Russell 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Francis Molo 15. Toby Couchman 16. Hame Sele 17.

Team Tips: The Dragons will blood a few new recruits in the form of Hame Sele, Ray Faitala-Mariner and Kyle Flanagan in Round 1. Flanagan will start in the halves alongside Ben Hunt, winning the job by default after Junior Amone’s deregistration and the Ronald Volkman injury saga. Jack Bird has been earmarked to play in the centres with Zac Lomax shifting to the wing, as Tyrell Sloan wins the chance to start the season at fullback.

SUNDAY MARCH 10

Dolphins vs. North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm AEDT

Predicted Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Jake Averillo 5. Jack Bostock 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Ray Stone 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Euan Aitken 17. Jarrod Wallace

Team Tips: They’ve recruited as well as any other team, with Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler to slot into the starting line up. Alongside Farnworth, Jake Averillo creates a new-look centre pairing for the Dolphins. According to The Courier Mail, exciting young winger Jack Bostock has won one of the two spots on the flank. Connelly Lemuelu is in a race to be fit for round 1 because of a knee injury but is expected to suit up.

Predicted Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Murray Taulagi 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Coen Hess 16. Griffin Neame 17. Heilum Luki

Team Tips: On paper, North Queensland boast one of the more talented teams in the league. Valentine Holmes’ four-game suspension was a gut pinch for the Cowboys last year but he now returns. There are a number of combinations Todd Payten could choose to go with in the backline, with centre Zac Laybutt pushing for a spot. He impressed in limited action last season. He can fill the void of the departed Peta Hiku (Super League). Former Warriors recruit Viliami Vailea is reportedly still stuck in NZ with Visa issues but adds depth. The experienced Kyle Feldt is always an option but that would mean shifting Murray Taulagi to the centres. Young gun Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will be unlucky to miss out on a bench spot for the opening round but he might as there’s plenty of depth in the forwards.

Bye: Wests Tigers