2018 #KiwiNRL Encyclopedia #2
How about the Roache whanau's genetics!?
The single most important thing you can take away from this episode of #KiwiNRL Encyclopedia is that trials don't mean anything. Trials signal that the start of the NRL season is rollin' up fast and that naturally breeds excitement, yet there's no reason to be whipped into a frenzy about trial team lists and trial performances right now. I will be dropping something later this week about the Warriors trial squad named (effectively a 'B' squad), so I haven't included them in here and whether it's the kiwi media re: Warriors or the Australian media and those NRL clubs my advice is to ease up on the importance of trials.
In saying that, I am still going to offer a #KiwiNRL Encyclopedia about the trial squads as it provides a nice gauge of which fringe #KiwiNRL players are lurking in the shadows. This isn't to place any importance on those players being named as there's no importance, more of an introduction to the wider #KiwiNRL crew of 2018.
Most of the squads are just squads without positions and I'll list the #KiwiNRL players sans positions for general ease of use. This was written on Tuesday night, so I'll update it with the remaining teams by Thursday night.
Storm
Jesse Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich.
Crumbs
Nothing to see here, just a full-strength Melbourne Storm team and #KiwiNRL gang.
There is some funk though as Melbourne are playing the Warriors the day after this game, in Rotorua. Given that Craig Bellamy will roll out his strongest team against Leeds Rhinos, expect the Melbourne team that comes to Aotearoa to be a completely different squad and obviously made up of reserve grade/Under 20s players.
Penrith Panthers
Dean Whare, Nick Lui-Toso, James Fisher-Harris, Sione Katoa, Jarome Luai, Caleb Aekins.
Crumbs
Nick Lui-Toso and Caleb Aekins are the fresh faces here, with Aekins being another product of Penrith's collabo with Northland Rugby League.
Bulldogs
Kieran Foran, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Greg Eastwood, Jeremy Marshall-King, Francis Tualau, Ofahiki Ogden, Renouf To'omaga.
Crumbs
Ofahiki Ogden left the Warriors after last season to join the Bulldogs in a rather similar vein to Raymond Faitala-Mariner, plus Jeremy Marshall-King is named after moving from Wests Tigers over the summer.
Raiders
Brad Abbey, Charlie Gubb, Siliva Havili, Makahesi Makatoa, Paul Roache, Jordan Rapana, Sia Soliola, Joe Tapine.
Crumbs
Paul Roache, damn I'm excited to see more of Paul Roache. Younger bro of Nathaniel, Paul is a half who could put some pressure on Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer this season or he could allow the Raiders to save cash by not re-signing one of the halves.
Broncos
Jamayne Isaako, Jordan Kahu, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn, Sam Tagataese.
Crumbs
If Darius Boyd is to move to the halves, don't get too down in the #KiwiNRL dumbs as the lack of Kodi Nikorima there will be off-set by Jamayne Isaako taking Boyd's fullback spot.
Also, with Andre Savelio out for the season via a knee injury, there's greater clarity for Alex Glenn in his role as a middle forward. Savelio was born in Aotearoa, so it sucks for him, but now it seems as though Brisbane will roll with Glenn and Matt Gillett starting and Jaydn Su'a coming off the bench; a lot will also depend on whether Corey Oates stays on the wing or moves to the forwards.
Sea Eagles
Addin Fonua-Blake, Manase Fainu, Lewis Brown, Toafofoa Sipley.
Crumbs
There's been plenty of hype around Manase Fainu and I reckon it's a certainty that we see him crack NRL footy this year, coming off the bench to give Apisai Koroisau a spell at hooker. I'd expect Fainu to align with Tonga in the future (he's a Junior Kiwis rep) and Tongans should be fizzing at the prospect of having three decent hookers to call upon in Fainu, Sione Katoa (Panthers) and Siliva Havili (Raiders).
Cowboys
Te Maire Martin, Emry Pere.
Crumbs
Ummm, so Te Maire Martin will play alongside Jonathan Thurston and that's slightly bonkers.
Tigers
Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Esan Marsters, Josh Aloiai, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Matt McIlwrick, Michael Chee-Kam, Pita Godinet, Russell Packer, Taane Milne, Tuimoala Lolohea.
Crumbs
11 #KiwiNRL players folks, 11.
Rabbitohs
Mawene Hiroti, Siosifa Talakai.
Crumbs
Paul Roache, Manase Fainu and Mawene Hiroti; the hype trio. Hiroti was on the brink of Rabbitohs selection at various stages last season but was too young and finished the year in the Aotearoa Under 18 team. Rabbitohs have decent outside back depth, cluttering Hiroti's path, although the players ahead of him aren't super established NRL wingers/centres and Hiroti could wiggle his way into the NRL this season.
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Peace and love 27.