Here we are, ladies and gents, the 2023 season is truly underway with the pre-season fixtures!
With combinations to be set, new players needing to gel and expectations high, what surprises are in store for us with the NRL trials (or, as the NRL have coined it, the NRL pre-season challenge).
Here are all the confirmed trials for 2023:
Friday, February 17
Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels (#NRLnewpar #NRLTrials); Industree Group Stadium, Gosford. Kick-off: 5:55 pm
Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dom Young 6. Kalyn Ponga (C) 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann.
Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Leo Thompson 16. Adam Elliott 17. Jack Johns.
Reserves: 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Hymel Hunt 20. Kristian Mapapalangi 21. Bailey Hodgson 22. Brodie Jones 23. Dylan Lucas 24. Adam Clune 25. Thomas Cant 26. Oryn Keeley.
Coach: Adam O’Brien.
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson (C) 2. Issac Lumelume 3. Will Penisini 4. Zac Cini 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitch Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’Maine Hopgood.
Interchange: 14. Jake Arthur 15. Jake Murchie 16. Makahesi Makatoa 17. Wiremu Greig.
Reserves: 18. Jordan Rankin 19. Ofahiki Ogden 20. Jirah Momoisea 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Toni Mataele 23. Matthew Komolafe 24. Jayden Yates 25. Ryan Matterson 26. Luca Moretti.
Coach: Brad Arthur.
Sydney Roosters v Manly Sea Eagles (#NRLsydman #NRLTrials); Industree Group Stadium, Gosford. Kick-off; 8 pm.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco (C) 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Corey Allan 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 10. Matt Lodge 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley.
Interchange: 14. Terrell May 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Jake Turpin 17. Siua Wong.
Reserves: 18. Thomas Deakin 19. Junior Pauga 20. Sandon Smith 21. Ethan King 22. Tuipolutu Katoa 23. Ben Thomas 24. Tyler Moriarty 25. Xavier Va’a 26. Elie El-Zakhem.
Coach: Trent Robinson.
Manly: 1, Kaeo Weekes 2. Christian Tuipolutu 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Cooper Johns 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Sean Keppie.
Interchange: 14. Jake Toby 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Viliami Fifita 17. Toafofoa Sipley.
Reserves: 18. Ben Trbojevic 19. Ben Condon 20. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega 21. Josh Aloiai 22. Morgan Harper 23. Samuela Fainu 24. Zac Fulton.
Coach: Anthony Seibold.
Saturday, February 18
St George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs (#NRLTrials #CharityShield); Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee. Kick-off: 3:30 pm.
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Mosese Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Moses Mbye 7. Ben Hunt (C) 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’a 13. Billy Burns.
Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Francis Molo 16. Josh Kerr 17. Aaron Woods.
Reserves: 18. Tyrell Fuimaono 19. Max Feagai 20. Tautau Moga 21. Michael Molo 22. Dan Russell 23. Jaiyden Hunt 24. Treigh Stewart 25. Dylan Egan 26. Savelio Tamale.
Coach: Anthony Griffin.
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray.
Interchange: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Peter Mamouzelos 16. Jacob Host 17. Shaquai Mitchell.
Reserves: 18. Josiah Karapani 19. Terrell Kalo Kalo 20. Ben Lovett 21. Davvy Moale 22. Thomas Fletcher 23. Richie Kennar 24. Michael Chee-Kam 25. Jacob Gagai 26. Dion Teaupa.
Coach: Jason Demetriou.
Penrith Panthers v St Helens (#WorldClubChallenge #WCC); Bluebet Stadium, Penrith. Kick-off; 6 pm.
Panthers: 1. Stephen Crichton 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Sunia Turuva 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary (C) 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo (C)
Interchange: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Matthew Eisenhuth 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon.
Reserves: 18. Lindsay Smith 19. Kurt Falls 20. Liam Henry 21. Thomas Jenkins 22. Mavrik Geyer.
Coach: Ivan Cleary.
St Helens: 1. Jack Welsby 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Will Hopoate 4. Mark Percival 5. Jonathan Bennison 6. Jonny Lomax 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Alex Walmsley 9. James Roby 10. Matty Lees 11. Sione Mata’utia 12. Joe Batchelor 13. Morgan Knowles.
Interchange: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook 16. Curtis Sironen 17. Agnatius Paasi.
Reserves: 18. Jake Wingfield 19. James Bell 20. Daniel Norman 21. Ben Davies 22. Sam Royle 23. Konrad Hurrell 24. Lewis Baxter 25. Theerapol Ritson 26. Daniel Hill.
Coach: Paul Wellens.
Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys (#NRLbrinql #NRLTrials); Sunshine Coast Stadium, Kawana Waters. Kick-off: 8:10 pm.
Broncos: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds (C) 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan.
Interchange: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Martin Taupau.
Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Jock Madden 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Blake Mozer 22. Xavier Willison.
Coach: Kevin Walters.
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Val Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo (C).
Interchange: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. James Tamou.
Reserves: 18. Ben Hampton 19. Riley Price 20. Brendan Elliot.
Coach: Todd Payten.
Sunday, February 19
New Zealand Warriors v Melbourne Storm (#NRLwarmel #NRLTrials); Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch. Kick-off: 12:50 pm.
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris (C).
Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Josh Curran 17. Tom Ale.
Reserves: 18. Ronald Volkman 20. Luke Metcalf 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Bayley Sironen 24. Viliami Vailea 25. Edward Kosi 26. Demitric Sifakula.
Coach: Andrew Webster.
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Will Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Tom Eisenhuth.
Interchange: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Josh King 16. Chris Lewis 17. Tui Kamikamica.
Reserves: 18. Jonah Pezet 19. Tyran Wishart 20. Xavier Coates 21. Joe Chan 22. Aaron Pene 23. Jordan Grant 24. Sualauvi Faalogo 25. Alec Macdonald 26. Dean Ieremia.
Coach: Craig Bellamy.
Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders (#NRLwstcan #NRLTrials); Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney. Kick-off: 2:55 pm.
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Tommy Talau 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Jake Simpkin 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal.
Interchange: 14. Fonua Pole 15. Charlie Staines 16. Shawn Blore 17. Tukimihia Simpkins.
Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Asu Kepaoa 20. Aitasi James 21. Starford To’a 22. Junior Tupou 23. Brandon Tumeth 24. Will Smith.
Coach: Tim Sheens.
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matt Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Harley Smith-Shields 6. Jack Wighton (C) 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Emre Guler 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine.
Interchange: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Matt Frawley 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17. Corey Horsburgh.
Reserves: 18. Tom Starling 19. James Schiller 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Albert Hopoate 22. Ata Mariota 23. Trey Mooney 24. Utuloa Asomua 25. Brad Morkos 26. Elijah Anderson.
Coach: Ricky Stuart.
Canterbury Bulldogs v Cronulla Sharks (#NRLcbycro #NRLTrials); Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney. Kick-off: 5 pm.
Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Luke Thompson.
Interchange: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Andrew Davey 17. Corey Waddell.
Reserves: 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Jackson Topine 21. Jacob Preston 22. Braidon Burns 23. Jaylen Tanner 24. Khaled Rajab 25. Jayden Okunbor 26. Ryan Gray 27. Franklin Pele.
Coach: Cameron Ciraldo.
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicholas Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane.
Interchange: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Wade Graham 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele.
Reserves: 18, Braydon Trindall 19. Jack Williams 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Jayden Berrell 23. Niwhai Puru 24. Thomas Hazelton 25. Kayal Iro 26. Daniel Atkinson.
Coach: Craig Fitzgibbon.
Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans #(NRLdolgld); Daily Moreton Stadium, Redcliffe. Kick-off: 7:05 pm.
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jack Bostock 3. Tesi Niu 4. Brenko Lee 5. Robert Jennings 6. Anthony Milford 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert.
Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Ray Stone 16. Jarrod Wallace 17. Herman Ese’ese.
Reserves: 18. Euan Aitken 19. Isaiya Katoa 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Connelly Lemuelu 22. Valynce Te Whare 23. Mason Teague.
Coach: Wayne Bennett.
Titans: 1. Alex Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Philip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu.
Interchange: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Joe Stimson.
Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Klese Haas 20. Toby Sexton 21. Thomas Weaver 22. Treymain Spry 23. Keano Kini 24. Izaac Fa’asuamaleaui.
Coach: Justin Holbrook.