Week one of many NRL’s two-week trial interval is over and a few new recruits have given their coaches a lot to consider as Round 1 approaches.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster would have a headache of the great form after Luke Metcalf put ahead a compelling case to start out within the halves.
A train-and-trial Sharks playmaker put his title on the map, whereas Dolphins prodigy Isaiya Katoa overcame a shaky begin to stake his declare for the No.7 jersey.
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Reece Walsh additionally had a membership debut to recollect, carving up within the first half and declaring his first sport with the Broncos a dream come true.
Reed Mahoney placed on a clinic for the Bulldogs, whereas off the sphere, new Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has additionally lived as much as expectations.
But not each recruit shined. Veteran hooker Josh Hodgson kicked off his new chapter with the Eels with an error he’d somewhat overlook.
Here are the most important speaking factors out of week one of many NRL’s Pre-season Challenge.
WARRIORS RECRUIT’S STATEMENT AUDITION
Former Shark Luke Metcalf put his hand as much as accomplice Shaun Johnson in Round 1 with a “scintillating” efficiency to down the Tigers.
Only 5 minutes into the second half, the 23-year-old noticed a slender hole and accelerated, burning the quilt defence earlier than beating fullback Charlie Staines with pure velocity from 40 metres out.
“Blink and he’s gone, what a run by Luke Metcalf, the Warriors add to their tally and that was blinding by the five-eighth,” Fox League’s Warren Smith stated.
Metcalf has performed solely seven NRL video games throughout two years within the NRL however is now in a battle to put on the five-eighth jersey below New Zealand’s new coach Andrew Webster.
To go together with his four-pointer, the Warriors recruit ran for 99 metres and broke three tackles throughout a “clinic” in accordance with Fox League’s Michael Ennis.
“He’s been exceptional, an opportunity that he has grabbed to go across the ditch to New Zealand, kept in the barriers at the Cronulla Sharks,” Ennis stated.
“Spent a couple of seasons getting great education from the likes of Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson and Nicho Hynes in recent years.
“The class of young Luke Metcalf, getting his opportunity with the Warriors this year.”
Fox League’s Greg Alexander echoed Ennis’ opinion and believes the younger gun has made a “statement” with a “fluent” show.
Now Webster has a giant determination relating to the make-up of his backbone, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Te Maire Martin additionally within the body for backbone positions.
Nicoll-Klokstad may shift to the centres, permitting Martin to play fullback like he did on return to the NRL with the Broncos.
Metcalf, together with his velocity and soccer intelligence, may additionally put on the No.1 jersey.
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Warriors rout Tigers in pre-season conflict | 01:04
LITTLE-KNOWN RECRUIT WHO COULD SHAKE UP SHARKS
Sharks recruit Niwhai Puru has taken his probability with each fingers, delivering a robust efficiency after slotting into the halves to switch Indigenous All Star Braydon Trindall.
The 21-year-old got here by the Panthers junior system and partnered Dolphins star Isaiya Katoa within the halves throughout Penrith’s Jersey Flegg premiership victory in 2022.
Puru then made the choice to depart for Craig Fitzgibbon’s Sharks, seeing no future on the foot of the mountain with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai within the halves and a logjam of expertise in entrance of him.
Puru inked a growth take care of Cronulla forward of the 2023 season and starred within the Sharks large win over Newcastle — impressing each Fox league’s Andrew Voss and Greg Alexander.
Alexander was filled with reward for the younger halfback after slotting Mawene Hiroti by a gap for his aspect’s second attempt.
“He’s done that exceptionally well… he was a very good junior player for the Panthers,” Alexander stated.
“Earned himself a development contract at the Sharks and they’d be liking what they see from the No.7.”
“It’s been a very accomplished display from the former Panthers, he’s been very good, he’s had control of his game and putting in some good minutes for the Sharks,” Voss stated.
While Puru is unlikely to edge Trindall out for the utility position, the younger playmaker may very well be subsequent in line for Fitzgibbon ought to he want a halfback attributable to harm.
No title Knights battle vs Sharks | 01:00
UK CHAMPS’ STATEMENT AHEAD OF WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE
St Helens weren’t mucking round on Saturday evening, producing a slick efficiency in opposition to a younger Dragons outfit — and make a giant assertion forward of this weekend’s World Club Challenge.
It was clear earlier than a ball was even kicked that St Helens turned up eager to make a press release as Fox League cameras captured captain James Roby laying down the legislation within the sheds pre-game.
Fox League analyst Michael Ennis may see the match — and this journey to Australia — means rather a lot to the Super League champions.
“St Helens came with a point to prove,” he stated.
“You can tell they’ve played a lot of footy together, they’ve been fast and they’ve been slick. They all look fit, fast, ready and prepared for next week’s World Club Challenge.”
Cooper Cronk was additionally “impressed” saying “they look physically prepared and mentally tough.”
While they did play a aspect made up of largely reserve grade gamers, Corey Parker believes they’re nonetheless an opportunity in opposition to the back-to-back NRL premiers.
“There’s no reason they can’t turn up and really give it a shake. They firmly believe they can do something against the Panthers,” he stated.
Roby echoed that, telling Fox League: “We know what we’re about and we want to show that.”
However he additionally conceded that the “huge occasion” is “going to be another level.”
The Panthers are anticipated to play majority of their large weapons together with celebrity halfback Nathan Cleary, who St Helens fullback Jack Welsby might be learning over the subsequent few days.
“I know how good he is, I know his kicking game is pretty spot on close to the tryline and some of his big kicks so it’s something I’m going to look at this week,” Welsby advised Fox League.
St Helens see off Dragons within the Gong | 01:34
HODGSON’S EELS DEBUT FALLS FLAT
There’s little question that Josh Hodgson will carry rather a lot to the Eels this season, however his unofficial membership debut didn’t precisely go to plan.
Unfortunately for the previous Canberra captain he endured a horror begin to life within the blue and gold, together with his first attempt help placing an opposition participant below the posts.
The Eels have been pushing for a attempt when Hodgson threw an intercept to Penrith centre Tom Jenkins who ran 95 metres to attain.
“Hodgson out of dummyhalf and showing the ball with two hands, they would have scored if they got it on the outside there but (they didn’t),” Fox League analyst Steve Roach stated in commentary.
Despite the error, Eels captain Clint Gutherson backed Hodgson to make a huge effect on the membership in 2023 — and revealed the veteran put his hand as much as play in Saturday’s trial which featured primarily reserve grade gamers.
“He’s been around the game a long time, a couple of years ago he was one of the best hookers in the game and we’ve seen that in pre-season,” Gutherson stated.
“He wanted to play tonight and he’ll go again next week.”
Hodgson missed virtually all of final season after rupturing his ACL simply six minutes into Round 1 and most significantly, received by the trial unscathed.
He was signed by the Eels to switch Reed Mahoney, who has joined the Bulldogs.
The 33-year-old completed his brief stint on the sphere with one run for 5 metres, eight runs with zero misses and two errors.
Panthers put Eels away in pre-season | 01:16
INJURY STRIKES STORM ONCE AGAIN
Craig Bellamy’s Storm outfit have been dealt a brutal blow of their first conflict of 2023, with Justin Olam struggling a fractured arm.
Bellamy’s aspect was hampered with accidents in 2022, with Christian Welch, Reimis Smith and George Jennings all struggling season-ending blows.
Now, Melbourne’s gun centre may very well be sidelined for as much as six weeks and will miss the primary three weeks of the common season relying on the severity of the fracture.
“That is a very sad sight, Justin Olam… that’s a terrible sight for Craig Bellamy and the Melbourne Storm,” Fox League’s Warren Smith stated.
“He is one tough cookie as well, he wouldn’t be going off the field if he wasn’t in pain,” Fox League’s Shane Flanagan stated.
Last 12 months, Bellamy misplaced common beginning centre Smith for majority of the season after he suffered a pectoral harm — and now Melbourne are dealing with an analogous concern.
The veteran coach must discover a centre to fill the void left by Olam on the left-side of the sphere, whereas he additionally makes a giant name on who takes the backrow spot on the identical aspect of the sphere following Kenny Bromwich’s departure.
Dean Ieremia and Young Tonumaipea are main contenders, whereas Jack Howarth and Will Warbrick are additionally in competition.
If Ryan Papenhuyzen is match for the opening rounds, Bellamy may even have backline utility Nick Meaney up his sleeve too.
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CIRALDO’S DOGS LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS
Take a bow Cameron Ciraldo as a result of the Bulldogs’ new period is wanting very vivid.
Ciraldo has been touted as the perfect up-and-coming coach within the sport and the early indicators present he’ll dwell as much as the expectation in his first gig as an NRL coach.
He specialises in defence and his affect was clear within the Dogs’ first half with the crew solely lacking one sort out for your entire 40 minutes.
“It’s been an enthusiastic start for the Bulldogs,” Fox League’s Steve Roach stated.
“We were talking about the collision before and their defence — they only missed one tackle in that first half. It’s really unheard of.
“It just shows how happy the club is at the moment and that they’ve been itching to get out there and play.”
The new-look Dogs have been simply as robust in assault too, ending with an 88 per cent completion fee.
“I know it’s only one game but it was a pretty polished display. I was impressed with their ball control — they got through 37 sets… He (Ciraldo) would be rapt with what happened,” Greg Alexander stated.
And the rookie coach was certainly proud of what he noticed — notably in defence.
“I really liked it. I liked how hard we worked, I liked how we worked together — I think they were just excited to get out there and play,” Ciraldo advised Fox League.
“We’ve just tried to put some (defensive) standards in place and to the boys’ credit they’ve bought right into it. They’ve attacked it with 100 per cent and they’ve come together as a group, which has been the best thing and most important thing for us.
“I really enjoyed seeing some of that out there today.”
Integral to the Dogs’ spectacular begin to the 34-18 win was star recruit Reed Mahoney, who was all over the place earlier than leaving the sphere after 20-odd minutes.
Mahoney arrange two tries and was continually barking orders whereas directing his new crew across the park.
Fox League’s Corey Parker believes Mahoney made the most important distinction within the Bulldogs’ “direction around the ruck” and known as him a “massive inclusion” to the line-up.
“It was an issue for them last year and he’s been brought to the club do a job,” he stated.
“He’s had a terrific first half… he’s been at the forefront of everything they’ve been able to do, particularly in that middle third, he’s made good decisions.
“(A) massive inclusion, particularly for a team who struggled in all areas last season.”
Ciraldo period begins with win over Raiders | 01:25
‘REMEMBER THE NAME’
It would have been straightforward for Isaiya Katoa to crumble in his first look in an NRL competitors after a nightmare begin.
The 18-year-old halfback dropped the kick-off and put his aspect in harms approach, handing the Cowboys a threatening attacking menace inside the first 30 seconds of the membership’s NRL debut.
Wayne Bennett’s aspect have been in a position to fend off the assault earlier than Katoa confirmed his abilities with a wise 40/20.
That kick gave his aspect subject place to attain the membership’s first attempt courtesy of an Anthony Milford grubber for Jack Bostock on the suitable wing.
Katoa additionally orchestrated the Dolphins’ second attempt, recognizing area in the midst of the park and hitting Lachlan Hubner with a brief ball to crash over.
Katoa’s calm head and playmaking skills impressed Fox League’s analysts and Michael Ennis labelled the previous Panthers junior “special” earlier than he as soon as once more delivered with the sport on the road.
“Some young stars, Katoa looks special, he is going to be good,” Ennis stated.
“Signed him up for three years Katoa, Dolphins who of course have Sean O’Sullivan on their books,” Voss stated.
As the scores sat 18-16 to the Cowboys, a wise inside ball sparked Mason Teague’s doubtlessly matchwinning attempt earlier than North Queensland later equalised with seconds on the clock.
“Remember the name, Isaiya Katoa,” Ennis stated.
WALSH’S DAZZLING DEBUT
Welcome again to the Broncos Reece Walsh!
The $1.3 million star recruit ran amok in opposition to the Titans, scoring a attempt, getting two linebreaks, a linebreak help, three sort out busts and an offload.
It took simply 5 minutes to have an effect on the sport as he slipped by the Titans’ defence to attain.
“The spark and acceleration from Reece Walsh. With his first touch, he looks like he’s in for a good start for the Broncos,” Cooper Cronk stated.
Walsh appeared to get higher and higher as the sport went on as he broke by defence within the lead-up to a Broncos attempt to kicked a 40/20 within the first minute of the second half.
“Hasn’t he put his stamp on this game so far? He hasn’t been perfect, but boy he’s been electric,” Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane stated.
He was simply as dominant with out the ball in his hand too because the 20-year-old was noticed barking orders all through the sport — he even sprayed Ezra Mam for a ahead move.
For Walsh, Sunday’s hitout was a lot greater than only a trial sport. He revealed at half time that lastly pulling on the Broncos jersey was a dream come true.
“It’s good to be back, I have dreamt of this moment for a long time and even though it is just a trial game it is good that I’ve got the colours on and I am going to remember this for a long time,” Walsh advised Fox League.
The former Warrior has been working intently with Broncos legend Darius Boyd and Cronk believes if he can use the data that Boyd passes down, Walsh will go to a different degree.
“If Reece Walsh can put some footy IQ around his natural skills, boy will we have a player in 2023.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
