NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 1

Thursday night finals rematch ignites the Hunter

The Canberra Raiders make the trip to Newcastle to take on the Knights on Thursday night in the opening clash of Round 1 (Part II).

Kalyn Ponga captains the Knights from the back with Enari Tuala coming onto the flank vacated by the departure of Dom Young.

Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings are the halves with Phoenix Crossland starting at No.9 and Jack Cogger named on the bench due to the absence of Jayden Brailey (hamstring).

Dylan Lucas starts in the back row alongside veteran Tyson Frizell with England international Kai Pearce-Paul named to make his NRL debut off the interchange.

For Canberra, Sebastian Kris (suspension), Corey Horsburgh (suspension), and Elliott Whitehead (calf) are all missing.

Jordan Rapana starts at the back with Albert Hopoate and Matt Timoko in the centres and Nick Cotric and Xavier Savage on the wings.

Ethan Strange has won the race for the five-eighth jersey previously worn by Jack Wighton whilst Danny Levi starts at hooker with Tom Starling on the bench.

England international Morgan Smithies starts at lock in his first NRL outing.

Newcastle have won six of their past eight against the Raiders including last year’s elimination final at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Sharks make trans-Tasman journey for Warriors showdown

The opening Friday evening affair of 2024 looks set to be a cracker with the Sharks heading to Auckland to take on the Warriors at Go Media Stadium.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s (hamstring) absence gives Taine Tuaupiki a shot at fullback with former Dally M Medallist Roger Tuivasa-Sheck named to make his NRL return in the centres.

Offseason recruit Kurt Capewell starts in the second row alongside Jackson Ford with Marata Niukore (foot) missing.

Shaun Johnson is the halfback, Luke Metcalf the five-eighth, and Wayde Egan the hooker as the Warriors look to back up their breakout 2023 season.

It is much of the same for the Sharks with Will Kennedy at the back, Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes the halves pairing, and Blayke Brailey the No.9.

Oregon Kaufusi, Royce Hunt, and Cameron McInnes start in the middle with Dale Finucane, Jack Williams, Toby Rudolf and Tom Hazelton making up a four-forward bench.

The Sharks have managed five wins from their past seven at Go Media Stadium.

Defending premiers Melbourne-bound for Prelim rematch

The defending premier Panthers make the trip to the Victorian capital for a Friday night showdown against the Storm.

Ryan Papenhuyzen returns for the hosts at fullback with Nick Meaney partnering Reimis Smith in the centres and Sua Fa’alogo named among the reserves.

Cameron Munster (groin) has been named to start at five-eighth with Jahrome Hughes the halfback and skipper Harry Grant the rake.

Tui Kamikamica and Josh King are the front rowers with Trent Loiero at lock and Joe Chan and Eliesa Katoa the edge forwards.

Christian Welch is on the interchange alongside Tyran Wishart, Chris Lewis, and Alec MacDonald with Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) out.

Taylan May is back for Penrith after missing all of last season with an ACL tear and fills the centre spot left vacant by the departure of Stephen Crichton whilst Luke Sommerton starts at hooker in the absence of Mitch Kenny (suspension).

Scott Sorensen (leg) is out with Luke Garner starting in the second row and Tyrone Peachey, Lindsay Smith, Liam Henry and Matt Eisenhuth making up the bench.

The two sides have enjoyed some phenomenal battles in recent times although the Panthers have secured five of the past six wins in the fixture.

The Storm have not however lost a Round 1 clash since 2001 – two seasons before Craig Bellamy took over.

Old rivals face each other at CommBank

The Eels host the Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium on Friday evening with both sides looking to improve on disappointing campaigns from a year ago.

With Maika Sivo (suspension) out, Bailey Simonsson partners Sean Russell on the wing with offseason addition Morgan Harper coming into the centres.

Joey Lussick starts at No.9 with Brendan Hands coming off the pine whilst Shaun Lane starts in the back row next to Bryce Cartwright.

Kelma Tuilagi makes his club debut off the bench alongside Ryan Matterson and Joe Ofahengaue.

On the other side, seven players will make their Bulldogs debuts including fullback Blake Taaffe, centre Stephen Crichton, halfback Drew Hutchison, prop Poasa Fa’amausili, lock Jaeman Salmon and interchange men Kurt Mann and Josh Curran.

Viliame Kikau is fit and has been named to partner Jacob Preston on the edge whilst Matt Burton retains the No.6 jersey.

The Eels have won seven of their past eight against the Bulldogs and have held them to single digits in three of those encounters.

Hasler’s Titans take on Flanagan’s Dragons on the Goldie

A pair of new eras dawn on Saturday night on the Gold Coast with Des Hasler and Shane Flanagan making their coaching debuts for the Titans and Dragons.

The hosts will be without Jayden Campbell (knee) and David Fifita (pec) with Keano Kini named to start at fullback and AJ Brimson shifting to the centres.

Klese Haas partners Beau Fermor – who makes his return from a season-long ACL layoff – in the back row with Chris Randall starting at hooker and Sam Verrills coming off the bench.

Offseason recruit Keenan Palasia joins stars Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika in the middle.

For the Dragons, Tyrell Sloan is the fullback with Zac Lomax and Mikaele Ravalawa the wingers and Moses Suli and Jack Bird the centres.

Kyle Flanagan makes his Red V debut at five-eighth partnering captain Ben Hunt with Jacob Liddle (hamstring) and Blake Lawrie (ribs) both named.

Tom Eisenhuth starts on an edge with Connor Muhleisen, Michael Molo, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and debutant Viliami Fifita on the interchange.

The Dragons have won 18 of their 29 clashes against the Titans over the years including seven of the past 11.

Dolphins, Cows open year with QLD blockbuster

Suncorp Stadium is the scene for Sunday afternoon’s all-Queensland showdown between the Dolphins and Cowboys.

Offseason additions Herbie Farnworth and Thomas Flegler make their Dolphins debuts whilst Kodi Nikorima partners Sean O’Sullivan in the halves at the expense of Isaiya Katoa.

Tesi Niu earns a nod in the centres ahead of Jake Averillo with Jack Bostock and Jamayne Isaako the wingers.

Ray Stone starts in the No.13 jersey with Tom Gilbert (ACL) ruled out for the year with Josh Kerr, Max Plath, Kenny Bromwich and Mark Nicholls making up the interchange.

For the Cows, PNG international Zac Laybutt partners Valentine Holmes in the centres with Kyle Feldt nabbing a spot on the wing ahead of Semi Valemei.

Jordan McLean partners Jason Taumalolo in the front row with Coen Hess (ACL) ruled out for the season whilst Heilum Luki and Jeremiah Nanai occupy the edge forward positions.

North Queensland have won four of their past five at Suncorp.

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