Last week's NRL trial action saw plenty of fringe Kiwi-NRL talent get a crack and this week teams are tightening up their pre-season rotations. The first trial notebook is a useful reference point for players who may re-appear later in the season and is another example of the immense Kiwi-NRL depth.

Knights vs Eels

Leo Thompson (Napier Boys High School) returns to the Knights after his stint with Maori All Stars. Thompson showcased his mana as he joined James Fisher-Harris and Jordan Rapana in leading a segment of the haka in Rotorua, now he slots into a Knights bench role. Thompson is one of the most powerful Knights middle forwards and tracking him early in the season could lead to celebrating him as one of the best Knights players this season.

Dylan Brown (Hikurangi) returns for Eels, although the Kiwi-NRL Spotlight stays on the forwards. Makahesi Makatoa (Marist - New Plymouth), Ofahiki Ogden (Mangere East), Wiremu Greig (Northern Swords) and Jirah Momoisea (St Paul's College) are all named on the extended bench. This will be one of my favourite Kiwi-NRL wrinkles this season and while I'm eager to see all four feature in the same Eels team, they must now command that opportunity.

Roosters vs Sea Eagles

Brandon Smith (Waiheke) is joined by Naufahu Whyte (Bay Roskill), Siua Wong (Mt Albert Grammar) and Junior Pauga (Glenora) in the Rosoters team. I'm most intrigued by Whyte as he made his NRL debut in 2021 but didn't kick on last season, instead playing a Jersey Flegg game and 19 NSW Cup games. A heavy dose of NSW Cup should lay the foundation for Whyte this season and the battle with Wong for a bench forward slot will be interesting to track.

Whyte and Wong can both play middle and edge. Whyte may be a better middle forward option off the bench where can zone in on short, powerful stints while Roosters brew Wong into a consistent edge forward.

Christian Tuipulotu (Otahuhu) continues to demand a starting wing opportunity for Sea Eagles, while Kelma Tuilagi (Glenora) is starting on an edge. Toafofoa Sipley (City Newton) and Raymond Tuaimalo-Vaega (Marist) also seem to be making a lovely impression on new coach Anthony Siebold. Sea Eagles have two Glenora juniors with Josh Aloiai also in the squad and Ngaruawahia junior Morgan Harper was recently mentioned in a possible player swap, perhaps highlighting how he is viewed at Sea Eagles.

Dragons vs Rabbitohs

Josiah Karapani (East Tamaki RU) is the main Kiwi-NRL bloke here, joined by Michael Chee Kam (Mt Wellington) in the Rabbitohs team and Ben Murdoch-Maslia (Otahuhu) in the Dragons outfit. Rabbitohs have plenty of outside backs competing for game time and Karapani will need a monster performance here to boost his Rabbitohs mana, but the best scenario will be consistent NSW Cup mahi to start the season.

Panthers vs St Helens

Nothing better than a Moses Leota (Auckland) and James Fisher-Harris (Whangarei Marist) starting together as props. One thing to track this season is how these two elevate their skills and mana. Both have showcased improved passing in recent seasons and are now leaders at Panthers, setting the standard for an aggressive forward pack.

Broncos vs Cowboys

Jesse Arthars (East Coast Bays), Jordan Riki (Hornby), Deine Mariner (Marist) and Xavier Willison (WaiCoa Bay) are named for Broncos. The return of Arthars from his loan deal adds another player to Broncos outside back depth chart and this bumps Mariner down a notch. Willison has flashed his talent at middle forward in recent seasons but has struggled with injuries, so his progress remains intriguing for Broncos.

Regular mahi for Cowboys with Peta Hiku (Manurewa) and Jason Taumalolo (Papakura/Otahuhu) joined by Griffin Neame (Suburbs Greymouth). Neame is still the funkiest Kiwi-NRL Cowboy as he builds on top of last season, perhaps showing greater passing skills as he grows into his middle forward role. Under coach Todd Payten, Taumalolo has developed new skills and ways to impact a game such as his dummy half running. Neame won't be doing none of that but I am curious about his development under coach Payten.

Warriors vs Storm

Warriors have their best players in action, although the local juniors are still the most interesting Kiwi-NRL lads. Tom Ale (Mt Albert) could be playing himself into a bench role for round tahi while Viliami Vailea (Aorere College), Edward Kosi (Mangere East) and Demitric Sifakula (Otahuhu) are all on the fringe of NRL with a chance to command opportunities. I'm especially intrigued by Sifakula who could get a crack on an edge again this week and this would be amplified if Sifakula is given minutes through the middle.

Storm have Will Warbrick on the wing (Ngongotaha) and he continues to make his case for a starting wing spot early this season. Reimis Smith (Sydney) could be playing as Warbrick's centre which would be lovely. Jahrome Hughes (Harbour City) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Upper Hutt) will also be eager to step up with Storm losing their Kiwi-NRL leaders. Don't sleep on Alec MacDonald who is from Auckland and has earned every opportunity since being scouted by Storm in Queensland footy.

Tigers vs Raiders

Tigers are bolstered by Ken Maumalo (Papatoetoe) and Isaiah Papali'i (Te Atatu) as top notch Kiwi-NRL lads. Asu Kepaoa (Sacred Heart College) and Starford To'a (Mt Wellington) seem to be down the Tigers outside back depth chart which makes their performances this weekend extra funky. Both are capable of starting and if they can deliver reliable mahi, Tigers will need them at some point.

Tukimihia Simpkins (Rotorua Boys High School) may have impressed new coach Tim Sheens this summer, slotting into this team after playing for Maori All Stars. Like Whyte for Roosters, Simpkins played NRL in 2021 before sliding down to play nine Jersey Flegg games and 15 games of NSW Cup last year.

All the big donnies are named for Raiders with Jordan Rapana (Wellington) named at fullback, Matthew Timoko (Otahuhu) at centre, Joseph Tapine (Harbour City) at lock and Corey Harawira-Naera (Otaua Valley) on the bench. Ata Mariota (Manurewa) is also on the extended bench. Harawira-Naera is likely to play multiple different roles this season and his mana was palpable for Maori All Stars.

Bulldogs vs Sharks

Hayze Perham (Pikiao) is named to start at fullback for Bulldogs after a solid outing for Maori All Stars. All Bulldogs Kiwi-NRL funk revolves around Perham at fullback and how he takes this opportunity in a Bulldogs spine that should provide him with space to float around. Perham has the running ability to pounce on space and he has the skills to execute the right pass out on the edges.

Sharks have quietly assembled a Kiwi-NRL powerhouse with Ronaldo Mulitalo (Ellerslie), Briton Nikora (Tauranga), Braden Hamlin-Uele (Glenora), Mawene Hiroti (Western Suburbs - New Plymouth) and Kayal Iro (Arorangi/Mt Albert) all named. Sharks Kiwi-NRL funk flows throughout their system though and with Salesi Ata'ata (Otahuhu) offering a robust middle forward presence in NSW Cup, plus Felix Fa'atili (Hornby) shining in SG Ball; Sharks have an efficient Kiwi-NRL pipeline in operation.

Dolphins vs Titans

23 players named for Dolphins and I've got nine in the Kiwi-NRL bucket. The Bromwich brothers (Manurewa) will be in the Kiwi-NRL Spotlight for Dolphins this season as their championship mana is fabulous and Dolphins will need the Bromwich bros at their best to impact winning this season.

Titans have Kiwi-NRL veterans Kieran Foran (Ellerslie) and Isaac Liu (Otahuhu) named, along with Erin Clark (Manurewa) on the bench. Northcote/Marist junior Keano Kini is getting plenty of minutes for Titans during trials despite being a third-tier fullback option and this will probably lead to Kini starting at fullback in Queensland Cup in a few weeks.

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