The NRL’s Las Vegas extravaganza is only days away and the four teams participating have revealed their squads on Tuesday afternoon.
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Read on for the NRL Teams for Round 1.
SUNDAY MARCH 2
Canberra Raiders vs. New Zealand Warriors at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 11.00am AEDT
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Trey Mooney 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Chevy Stewart 22. Jed Stuart
Analysis: Ricky Stuart has named his full-strength side, with only Zac Hosking having a calf injury which he has overcome to be named in this side. Rookie Owen Pattie is set to make his NRL debut off the bench after impressing in the pre-season challenge, while Ethan Strange and Jamal Fogarty partner in the halves. Savelio Tamale plays the second game of his NRL career on the wing, with Albert Hopoate remaining in Australia due to the birth of his child. Elsewhere, Corey Horsburgh starts at prop alongside Joseph Tapine, with veteran Josh Papalii on the bench.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Samuel Healey 20. Te Maire Martin 21. Eddie Ieremia 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Edward Kosi
Analysis: The Warriors have named a scary front row duo in new recruit James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett, with both having played representative football. Chanel Harris-Tavita gets first crack at five-eighth, partnering Luke Metcalf which sees Te Maire Martin named on the extended bench. Taine Tuaupiki slots into Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s vacant wing spot, after the veteran suffered an ugly pre-season wirst injury. Meanwhile, in the absense of former captain Tohu Harris, new recruit Erin Clark has been named in the No.13 jersey. On the pine, both Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima have been named, with Jacob Laban not in this outfit.
Raiders left “embarrassed” after melee | 02:07
Penrith Panthers vs. Cronulla Sharks at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 3.30am AEDT
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi
Analysis: Ivan Cleary has opted against pairing Jesse McLean with brother Casey, instead naming Paul Alamoti to replace the injured Brian To’o (hamstring) on the wing while Luke Garner starts in the centres. It isn’t all that surprising in the sense that Cleary has shown a tendency in the past to favour second rowers as fill-in centres over younger, developing players like McLean given they are the stronger and more dependable options in defence. Garner also is agile enough to play at the position. Meanwhile, Lindsay Smith has been given the tall task of filling James Fisher-Harris’ shoes in the starting pack while star recruit Isaiah Papli’i will come off the bench. Luron Patea is the fresh face on the interchange with Liam Henry (shoulder) not ready to go yet.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru
Analysis: No Sione Katoa (shoulder) sees Sam Stonestreet come in on the wing while Jesse Ramien (ankle) is good to go after missing the preliminary final loss to Penrith last year. His return bumps Siosifa Talakai to the bench. Unlike Papali’i, Cronulla’s star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake is right into the starting line-up.
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