2019 NRL Round 1 predicted line-ups

Author: Chris Kennedy NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp: Wed 6 Mar 2019, 10:29 AM

With the pre-season trials in the rearview mirror, here are the predicted 16 line-ups for the opening round of the Telstra Premiership season.

The teams will be announced on NRL.com at 4pm on Tuesday but there are plenty of talking points heading into the first squads being posted.

Jump to your team: Broncos Raiders Bulldogs Sharks Titans Sea Eagles Storm Knights Cowboys Eels Panthers Rabbitohs Dragons Roosters Warriors Wests Tigers

Broncos

Tevita Pangai jnr is racing the clock for round one with a hamstring injury, which could mean Matt Gillett begins the season at lock with David Fifita to start and one of Shaun Fensom of Sam Tagataese joining the bench. Payne Haas is suspended until round five.

Darius Boyd
Corey Oates
James Roberts
Jack Bird
Jamayne Isaako
Anthony Milford
Kodi Nikorima
Matthew Lodge
Andrew McCullough
Joe Ofahengaue
Alex Glenn
Jaydn Su'A
Matt Gillett

Interchange:

Kotoni Staggs
David Fifita
Thomas Flegler
Tevita Pangai jnr

Raiders

Ex-Warrior Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has the inside running on the No.1 jersey after Jack Wighton's move to the halves. There is a logjam in the forwards with both English recruits set for spots in the 17 but a host of up-and-comers keeping the pressure on. Ryan Sutton and Royce Hunt are among those vying to replace Shannon Boyd and Junior Paulo in the front row. Bailey Simonsson and Brad Abbey are in the frame with Michael Oldfield to take Jordan Rapana's wing spot until he returns from injury.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Nick Cotric
Jarrod Croker
Joseph Leilua
Michael Oldfield
Jack Wighton
Aidan Sezer
Josh Papalii
Josh Hodgson
Royce Hunt
Joseph Tapine
Elliott Whitehead
Sia Soliola

Interchange:

Siliva Havilii
Ryan Sutton
Luke Bateman
John Bateman

Hodgson questioned Wighton's move to five-eighth right for Wighton

Bulldogs

Recruit Nick Meaney presents an exciting option at fullback but it is still possible Will Hopoate retains the position to start the season with plenty of quality options at centre. Popular point-scoring back-rower Rhyse Martin is a chance of a surprising demotion for round one after being asked to play the reserve grade trial on March 2 while the top squad had the weekend off.

Nick Meaney
Reimis Smith
Will Hopoate
Kerrod Holland
Marcelo Montoya
Lachlan Lewis
Kieran Foran
Aiden Tolman
Michael Lichaa
Dylan Napa
Josh Jackson
Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Adam Elliott

Interchange:

Jeremy Marshall-King
Corey Harawira-Naera
Sauaso Sue
Danny Fualalo

Sharks

Boom centre Bronson Xerri could yet displace one of the wingers but is likely to have to bide his time for a debut. With two back row spots to be decided, Kurt Capewell looks to have one sewn up while Briton Nikora is making a late charge at the other ahead of Scott Sorensen after starting in the final trial match. Blayke Brailey and Ava Seumanufagai will miss the early rounds through injury.

Matt Moylan
Sione Katoa
Josh Dugan
Josh Morris
Sosaia Feki
Shaun Johnson
Chad Townsend
Andrew Fifita
Jayden Brailey
Matt Prior
Briton Nikora
Kurt Capewell
Paul Gallen

Interchange:

James Segeyaro
Jayson Bukuya
Aaron Woods
Scott Sorensen

Fifita happy to lead from the front

Titans

The recruitment of Shannon Boyd into a stacked middle-forward rotation could push Ryan James to an edge. Tyrone Roberts has emerged as the best foil for halfback Ash Taylor. Veteran Michael Gordon is set to keep breakout star AJ Brimson out of the No.1 jersey at least in the short term, with Brimson to replace Mitch Rein as bench utility. Maligned ex-Panther Bryce Cartwright appears to have done enough in the trials to warrant another NRL chance from coach Garth Brennan. Keegan Hipgrave is racing the clock to be fit, with Max King on standby. Brenko Lee is a genuine chance of tipping fan favourite Anthony Don out of a wing spot.

Michael Gordon
Anthony Don
Tyrone Peachey
Brian Kelly
Phillip Sami
Tyrone Roberts
Ash Taylor
Jarrod Wallace
Nathan Peats
Shannon Boyd
Kevin Proctor
Ryan James
Jai Arrow

Interchange:

AJ Brimson
Moeaki Fotuaika
Keegan Hipgrave/Max King
Bryce Cartwright

Match Highlights: Titans v Broncos

Sea Eagles

A hamstring strain to Tom Trbojevic and the standing down of Dylan Walker leave backline stocks thin on the ground, with Brendan Elliott the likely fullback and Tevita Funa pressing for a wing spot. If Trent Hodkinson beats Kane Elgey in the race to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves Manase Fainu would be the likely new bench utility. Taniela Paseka and Kelepi Tanginoa are struggling with knee injuries.

Brendan Elliott
Jorge Taufua
Moses Suli
Brad Parker
Reuben Garrick
Kane Elgey
Daly Cherry-Evans
Addin Fonua-Blake
Apisai Koroisau
Martin Taupau
Joel Thompson
Curtis Sironen
Jake Trbojevic

Interchange:

Trent Hodkinson
Lloyd Perrett
Jack Gosiewski
Frank Winterstein

Storm

A devastating pec injury to Scott Drinkwater leaves Jahrome Hughes as the fullback. Joe Stimson was named outside the 17 in the final trial and may be under pressure to keep his starting spot. Tom Eisenhuth is a chance of displacing Tui Kamikamica – who picked up a minor knee injury in that game – on the bench.

Jahrome Hughes
Suliasi Vunivalu
Will Chambers
Curtis Scott
Josh Addo-Carr
Cameron Munster
Brodie Croft
Jesse Bromwich
Cameron Smith
Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Felise Kaufusi
Kenny Bromwich
Dale Finucane

Interchange:

Brandon Smith
Christian Welch
Patrick Kaufusi
Tui Kamikamica

Knights

Injuries to Hymel Hunt (hamstring) and Tautau Moga (knee) could yet see Sione Mata'utia return to the three-quarter line, which would mean a temporary reprieve for one of Mitch Barnett or Herman Ese'ese. Nathan Ross (finger) will miss the early rounds while Shaun Kenny-Dowall (ankle) is likely to be fit.

Connor Watson
Edrick Lee
Jesse Ramien
Hymel Hunt
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Kalyn Ponga
Mitchell Pearce
David Klemmer
Danny Levi
James Gavet
Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Sione Mata'utia
Tim Glasby

Interchange:

Kurt Mann
Aidan Guerra
Herman Ese'ese/Mitch Barnett
Daniel Saifiti

Ponga keen to forge on at five-eighth

Cowboys

Ex-Bronco Jordan Kahu appears to have locked down the starting fullback role. The race to partner Michael Morgan between Te Maire Martin and Jake Clifford remains close after Clifford's strong trial form. Jason Taumalolo could spend time at second row this season following the signing of Josh McGuire, particularly once Scott Bolton returns from a five-game suspension. Francis Molo or Corey Jensen will be the short term beneficiary of the vacated bench spot.

Jordan Kahu
Kyle Feldt
Justin O'Neill
Ben Hampton
Nene Macdonald
Te Maire Martin
Michael Morgan
Josh McGuire
Jake Granville
Jordan McLean
Coen Hess
Gavin Cooper
Jason Taumalolo

Interchange:

John Asiata
Matt Scott
Mitchell Dunn/Corey Jensen
Francis Molo

Cowboys season preview - NRL Teams

Eels

The Eels' new spine has taken shape through the trials with Dylan Brown to partner Mitch Moses in the halves and Reed Mahoney the number one hooker at the club after Kaysa Pritchard was granted time away from the game. A knee injury to Manu Ma'u is a huge blow and will put him out until about round six, but is alleviated slightly by the strong trial form of Shaun Lane and Marata Niukore. Jaeman Salmon (disciplinary) is available from round two and will push for a centre or utility spot.

Clint Gutherson
George Jennings
Michael Jennings
Brad Takairangi
Blake Ferguson
Dylan Brown
Mitch Moses
Daniel Alvaro
Reed Mahoney
Junior Paulo
Shaun Lane
Marata Niukore
Nathan Brown

Interchange:

Will Smith
Tim Mannah
Peni Terepo
Tepai Moeroa

Brad Arthur's praise for Dylan Brown

Panthers

Viliame Kikau (knee) is a huge loss but will return in the early rounds with Jack Hetherington favoured to start on the left edge in the meantime. Sione Katoa looks to have survived a challenge from Wayde Egan for the starting hooker role. Tyrone May was set for a bench utility role but is now in major doubt for the start of the season after being charged by police.

Dylan Edwards
Josh Mansour
Waqa Blake
Dean Whare
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
James Maloney
Nathan Cleary
James Tamou
Sione Katoa
Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Jack Hetherington
Isaah Yeo
James Fisher-Harris

Interchange:

Wayde Egan
Tim Grant
Kaide Ellis
Hame Sele

Rabbitohs

Fullback Corey Allan is stuck behind Alex Johnston and Greg Inglis but is champing at the bit for an opportunity following a Charity Shield hat-trick from the wing. George Burgess is unavailable through suspension meaning one of Mark Nicholls, Tevita Tatola, Dean Britt, Kurt Dillon or Liam Knight will need to start up front. Sam Burgess is an edge forward now and ex-Cowboy Ethan Lowe is straight into the side on the interchange. Tom Amone was excellent in the trials but cannot play NRL until June 30 because he is outside the top 30.

Alex Johnston
Campbell Graham
Dane Gagai
Greg Inglis
Braidon Burns
Cody Walker
Adam Reynolds
Thomas Burgess
Damien Cook
Tevita Tatola
John Sutton
Sam Burgess
Cameron Murray

Interchange:

Matt McIlwrick
Ethan Lowe
Mark Nicholls
Dean Britt

Can Bennett improve Rabbitohs?

Dragons

Coach Paul McGregor has outlined a plan to inject Matt Dufty from the bench at fullback despite Gareth Widdop shifting to the back. Jack De Belin is stood down leaving Tyson Frizell to fill in at lock – at least until Korbin Sims returns from suspension – with Jacob Host edging Luciano Leilua for the starting role in the Charity Shield. Centre Zac Lomax will likely start on the wing but with flanker Mikaele Ravalawa trialling well Euan Aitken could find himself under pressure to retain a spot.

Gareth Widdop
Jordan Pereira
Euan Aitken
Tim Lafai
Zac Lomax
Corey Norman
Ben Hunt
James Graham
Cameron McInnes
Paul Vaughan
Jacob Host
Tariq Sims
Tyson Frizell

Interchange:

Matt Dufty
Blake Lawrie
Luciano Leilua
Josh Kerr

Roosters

There is very little debate around the Roosters' likely line-up, with recruits Brett Morris and Angus Crichton slotting straight into the spots vacated by Blake Ferguson and Ryan Matterson. Nat Butcher could stake a claim for Lindsay Collins' bench spot. The likes of Brock Lamb, Lachlan Lam or Craig Garvey could get the odd chance as a bench utility but will be otherwise waiting for injuries.

James Tedesco
Daniel Tupou
Latrell Mitchell
Joseph Manu
Brett Morris
Luke Keary
Cooper Cronk
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jake Friend
Sio Siua Taukeiaho
Boyd Cordner
Angus Crichton
Victor Radley

Interchange:

Mitch Aubusson
Isaac Liu
Lindsay Collins
Zane Tetevano

Tedesco: Looking back 'it's pretty funny'

Warriors

Adam Keighran appears to have his nose in front of Chanel Harris-Tavita in the race to replace Shaun Johnson in the halves. Leeson Ah Mau will likely go from Dragons bench weapon to Warriors starting prop. Issac Luke (shoulder) and Adam Blair (hamstring) are each on track for round one.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c)
David Fusitu'a
Peta Hiku
Solomone Kata
Ken Maumalo
Adam Keighran
Blake Green
Agnatius Paasi
Issac Luke
Leeson Ah Mau
Isaiah Papali'i
Tohu Harris
Adam Blair

Interchange:

Jazz Tevaga
Sam Lisone
Bunty Afoa
Leivaha Pulu

Match Highlights: Warriors v Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers

In a backline logjam it appears recent recruit Robert Jennings has edged out Paul Momirovski in the centres and Corey Thompson will keep Mahe Fonua out of a full-strength 17 on the wing. A broken jaw to Chris Lawrence hands a starting chance to another second-rower – possibly Luke Garner – while the big question over how three fits into two in the halves looks likely to mean an early-season bench utility role for Josh Reynolds.