Team Tips Round 1, Las Vegas season opener, selections, Titans, David Fifita, injury, Luciano Leilua, Cowboys, Adam O’Brien, Dom Young – MASHAHER

The start of the 2024 season is only weeks 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.

New Titans coach Des Hasler has already been dealt a big blow with two of his stars ruled out until April.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten has a huge backrow call to make after a star’s shock release request.

Meanwhile, Adam O’Brien has a wing headache on his hands following Dom Young’s departure.

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: Ben Trbojevic is set to be named in the starting side for the Sea Eagles Las Vegas season opener, a reward for his stellar pre-season form. According to The Daily Telegraph it will mean Trbojevic, who scored a hat-trick against Souths in their first trial match, beats out Josh Schuster who has had a limited pre-season due to injury. Schuster is expected to be named in the squad, however and has been named on the bench for Manly’s first pre-season trial against the Roosters, while Trbojevic has been named in the backrow. Manly coach Anthony Seibold said he welcomed the selection headache.

“We want competition for spots,” Seibold said.

“We felt as though if we were to improve as a team …. we needed to have competition. It is a genuine shootout.

“The back row, particular that left edge, there is great competition for spots. What I do know is the best version of Josh Schuster makes us a better team because he has something which we don’t have a lot of, which is that X-factor, skill, of an elite level.

“I haven’t seen too many players with the skill he has got. Ben Trbojevic’s work ethic and effort off the ball is what his weapon is.”

Interestingly, young gun Jamie Humphreys also got the first nod at the No.14 in this week’s trial, with Gordon Chan Kum Tong on the bench.

Predicted Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jacob Gagai 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, while Jye Gray has been named on the bench in South Sydney’s Charity Shield clash. Meanwhile, Isaiah Tass will likely slot into the centres for Graham for most of that period. In another huge blow young gun Tyrone Munro, who was set to win a spot on the wing, has suffered a shoulder injury that could see him sidelined for Round 1. According to The Daily Telegraph, Munro is unlikely to travel to Vegas. News Corp have reported that the uncapped Jacob Gagai is in the drivers seat to replace Munro in Vegas. However, there is one hurdle that Souths will need to overcome to make that a reality. Gagai, brother of Knights star Dane, was suspended for one match for a swinging arm in last year’s state championship on grand final day but Souths are pushing for the judiciary to use this Friday’s All-Star game for the ban. Adding to Demetriou’s headache is star recruit Jack Wighton’s suspension.

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. However, Trent Robinson named Manu on the extended bench for their trial against the Sea Eagles this week, giving Suaalii a chance in the centres. Siua Wong has also been named on the extended bench, with Tupouniua and Butcher in the backrow.

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 weeks 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 but he faces stiff competition from rising star Deine Mariner who has been named on the wing in the Broncos first pre-season trial. 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. 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.” Te Kura was named on the extended bench for Brisbane’s clash with the Broncos.

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, Krystian Mapapalangi and Panthers recruit Tom Jenkins are the three in the running. UK import Kai Pearce-Paul has plenty of upside and will be pushing for a bench spot to begin the season. Dummy half 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. Adam O’Brien has also named Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble in the halves, with Jack Cogger on the bench for the club’s first trial against the Sharks.

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 in the forward pack 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, but played mainly on the wing. Rising star Chevy Stewartis a strong chance of earning the No.1 jersey come Round 1 and has been named at fullback in the club’s first trial. Ethan Strange was blooded in one game against the Storm last season and held his own but may be squeezed out of the backline. He is one contender 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 is 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 spot is his to lose with Connor Tracey leaving to go to the Bulldogs. Fullback contender Kade Dykes has been named in the No.1 jersey in the club’s first trial against the Knights. 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 Melbourne received a huge boost by naming him at fullback in the club’s first pre-season trial. 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. However he hasn’t been included in the squad to take on the Bulldogs. 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. Meanwhile, Jarome Luai is in some doubt for Round 1 after being ruled out of the World Club Challenge against Wigan. Daine Laurie, Jack Cole and Brad Schneider his potential replacements.

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. Taaffe will get first crack at the fullback spot in the club’s trial against the Storm. Former Warrior Josh Curran has been named in the backrow but could start at lock come Round 1. The other fullback option Connor Tracey is pushing for a Round 1 spot but is only just back running after a recent ankle injury. Crichton and Viliame Kikau won’t play in the trial against the Storm. 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 and Drew Hutchison are set to fight it out for the No.7 jersey and Hutchison got the nod against the Storm in the club’s first trial.

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 Daily Telegraph, David Fifitaand Jayden Campbell are set to be sidelined for the opening three weeks of the season. Fifita is reportedly only returning to pre-season training this week after undergoing a surgery on a pectoral injury. Meanwhile, Campbell is yet to train with the full squad, meaning 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. “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. Fifita’s backrow spot is reportedly to be contested by Klese Haas and Jacob Alick, with both players having solid ends to their respective 2023 campaigns.

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HAPPY PAPPY: Storm star opens up on his ‘big journey’ back from latest injury

NEW VISION: Two more Broncos involved in drunken post-fan day scuffle

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. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Francis Molo 15. Toby Couchman 16. Hame Sele 17. Dan Russell

Team Tips: The Dragons will blood a few new recruits in the form of Tom Eisenhuth, 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. A Liam Martin clone in rookie Dylan Egan could debut in Round 1 after impressing Shane Flanagan and Ben Hunt in pre-season. “Dylan Egan is a young kid who has really impressed me since we’ve come back,” Ben Hunt said in a recent interview with News Corp. “He’s no frills, you tell him what to do, he gets it done. He’s one of the fittest forwards we’ve got, he always seems to be in the right spot at the right time and makes really good decisions defensively.” “He is a legit hope. He is a tough back rower. he is going to be a long term first grader,” Flanagan added. “He is Liam Martin all over. He is as tough as nails, smart footy player, he talks really well in team meetings and understands footy. “Ben (Hunt) is quite happy to have him defend next to him so that is a rap. He is a genuine hope. Round one is an ask but Dylan Egan is a player of the future.” Egan has been named on the bench in the Charity Shield, with Eisenhuth and Jaydn Su’A named on the edges.

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 but his spot will be hotly contested by Tesi Niu who has had an impressive pre-season so far. 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. A new crisis has arisen for the Cowboys, with Luciano Leilua requesting an immediate release to return to Sydney. That opens up a spot in the starting line-up for the talented Heilum Luki, while Kulikefu Finefeuiaki could then come onto the bench.

Bye: Wests Tigers