The start of the 2024 season has arrived, with old foes South Sydney and Manly to do battle in Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.
Both sides are 1-17 with Jacob Arthur and Dean Hawkins 18th man.
Gordon Tallis believes if Tom Trbojevic stays healthy Manly can win the competition.
“If Tommy plays 16 games Manly can win the comp,” Tallis said on Fox League.
“That’s how good Tom is and we all see when Tom goes on a roll a bit like Kalyn Ponga, Tom is equal to that.”
The game is the first of an historic double header in Sin City, and one player will be out to show his old team what they’re missing.
Rabbitohs forward Sean Keppie’s first game for Souths will come against the Sea Eagles – the team the 25-year-old played 79 games across five seasons for.
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After a strong pre-season, Keppie has been given the chance to start at prop for the Rabbitohs, but there’s another jersey he’s chasing in 2024 – a Blues one.
Speaking with The Daily Telegraph in Las Vegas, Keppie says a NSW debut is “definitely a goal” this season.
“I want to start well for Souths and then hopefully get a Blues jersey this year or next year,” Keppie said.
“I watched my favourite players growing up playing Origin, I’ve been playing since I was four and seeing Origin on the TV, that’s where I want to be. As a footy player, that’s where you want to be.
“I also feel like I’m growing as a player. I’m coming into my good years of footy and I feel like I haven’t shown my best yet.”
Keppie was granted an early release from his contract with Manly to join Souths, and he believes the club switch has helped him regain some confidence.
“I just wanted to do what was best for me,’’ Keppie said.
“It was very straightforward with Souths. Jason (Demetriou) told me he wanted me and why he wanted me. That’s all I wanted to hear from someone.
“I am ready to play… I feel like I lost confidence in my footy over the last couple of years. I don’t know what it was.”
Keppie will start at front row alongside Tevita Tatola, with Davvy Moale and Tom Burgess to add plenty of starch off the bench.
All teams complete Vegas Captain’s run | 02:51
Cody Walker needed to past a fitness test after arriving in the US to be given the green light. He’ll partner Lachlan Illas in the halves.
Souths promoted Richard Kennar to the starting backline with Campbell Graham out for most of the season with a sternum injury.
Promising winger Tyrone Munro will also miss some time with a shoulder injury. That opens the door for 28-year-old Jacob Gagai to make his NRL debut.
The Sea Eagles have named all three Trbojevic brothers in the starting line up, with Ben to begin the season in the injured Josh Schuster’s back row spot.
Luke Brooks (five-eighth) and Jaxson Paulo (wing) are the fresh faces in the Manly backline after the pair left the Tigers and Roosters respectively in the off-season.
Brooks is set for a big season for his new club, with the playmaker believing the pressure is off after leaving the Tigers.
TEAMS
Manly Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown. 18th man: 18. Jakob Arthur
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Jacob Host 16. Davvy Moale 17. Thomas Burgess. 18th man: 24. Dean Hawkins
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