Test teams: Big guns back on deck, but the Roosters are without Luke Keary after a training accident
Luke Keary will sit out his second trial in as many weeks after being left out of a nearly full Sydney Roosters squad to play against Manly on Friday night.
Keary was a late withdrawal from the Roosters squad for their opening trial against Melbourne after apparently suffering a knock in training before the game.
Roosters officials confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Keary suffered a blow to the jaw last week and that his absence was purely a precautionary measure following a shocking string of concussions in recent years.
As Keary prepares to miss his second straight trial, the Knights will welcome back skipper Kalyn Ponga after he suffered multiple blows to the head in 2022.
Ponga will partner Jayden Brailey and new signings Lachie Miller and Jackson Hastings with trainer Adam O’Brien looking to see them gel just two weeks before the season starts.
The Knights have named a very strong side including the in-demand Dom Young for their game against the Eels, who will also unleash their first-choice backbone of Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown, Mitch Moses and Josh Hodgson.
It’ll be a double treat for the Central Coast fans as the Roosters line up with many of their big guns for their match against Manly.
The Roosters are at the top of the ladder as they chase the $100,000 on offer and they are clearly intent on winning the prize with skipper James Tedesco and Joseph Suaalii joining but Angus Crichton, Joey Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves remain unreachable.
The Sea Eagles will be without Tom Trbojevic, whose plan it was always to be available for Round 1, while veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans was surprisingly left out and will miss a chance to earn valuable playing time with Josh Schuster.
Schuster is one of the most fascinating players heading into the new season. Fans are eager to see if he can make it as a five-eight after the club dropped Kieran Foran to the Titans.
It’s going to be an epic full-back battle at Mudgee with Indigenous All-Stars teammates Tyrell Sloan and Latrell Mitchell clashing in the Charity Shield.
The Dragons have brought back the big guns after naming an inexperienced side for last week’s defeat by St Helens. Ben Hunt was back on deck to give an early ball to centers Zac Lomax and Moses Suli, who were kept calm.
The Rabbitohs are essentially in full strength for the annual clash with try-scoring machine Alex Johnston, who is named on the wing, where he will look to enjoy plenty of good balls from Cody Walker.
The Panthers will go into their World Club Challenge showdown with St.
Star halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai have both been named, and new recruits Zac Hosking and Luke Garner will both start in the back row as they chase Viliame Kikau’s place.
The Broncos have turned to All-Stars hero Selwyn Cobbo to replace Reece Walsh at full-back after the former Warrior suffered a facial fracture in last week’s draw against the Titans.
It’s a serious-looking Broncos team that welcomes Adam Reynolds for the game against the Cowboys, who essentially named the same team that took them to the interim finals last year.
All eyes will be on boom backrower Jeremiah Nanai after his incredible try-scoring season, while club legend James Tamou was named on the bench.
Melbourne fans are resigned to the fact that Ryan Papenhuyzen won’t be back until at least Round 6, with Nick Meaney named at full-back in a team that includes representatives Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant in the backbone for the trip to New Zealand .
Eli Katoa and Trent Loiero have been named up front in the back row, with new recruit Tariq Sims unavailable but likely to be fit for Round 1.
The Raiders also had to make a change at the back, with Jordan Rapana named to replace Xavier Savage, who is out with a jaw injury.
Jack Wighton has been called up for the game against the Wests Tigers, who are without Luke Brooks (Wade) and new captain Api Koroisau, while David Klemmer and Isaiah Papali’i prepare for their club debuts.
There will be emotional scenes in Belmore on Sunday afternoon when favorite son Josh Reynolds returns to his spiritual home against the Sharks.
The Bulldogs also called up Matt Burton for the clash, while Hayze Perham gets his first crack at full-back against a star-studded Sharks side featuring Dally-M medalist Nicho Hynes.
And the Dolphins held no punches as Wayne Bennett names a hugely experienced squad for their last hit before making their NRL debut.
Former Storm trio Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi will all start against a Titans side that could ruffle a few feathers if Foran plays behind a strong pack.
