2022 Pre-season trials: Week two squad announcements

Sea Eagles: After playing limited minutes against Wests Tigers, big guns Tom Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans, Kieran Foran and Martin Taupau are joined this week by Jason Saab, Dylan Walker and Jake Trbojevic, who get their first hit-out.

Exciting youngster Tolutau Koula was impressive last week with 113 metres from 10 runs and gets a shot in the centres alongside Brad Parker.

Lachlan Croker has been named to start at hooker with Karl Lawton reverting to interchange.

Raiders: Jack Wighton and Jamal Fogarty team up in the halves for the first time and will call the shots for a powerful squad that includes Josh Hodgson, Josh Papalii, Joe Tapine, Corey Harawira-Naera, Elliott Whitehead, Tom Starling and Hudson Young all in their first game of 2022.

Nick Cotric is back in Raiders colours after a stint at the Bulldogs and Matt Timoko also makes his first appearance for the year in the centres with skipper Jarrod Croker coming from the bench.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returned a positive Rapid Antigen Test on Monday and will not travel with the team to the Central Coast. He joins Jordan Rapana, Sam Williams and Matt Frawley who are all currently in isolation as per Apollo protocols. 

Roosters v Wests Tigers, Friday 8.00pm at Central Coast Stadium

Roosters: Lachlan Lam again fills the No.1 jersey with James Tedesco saved for round one against the Knights. 

Big guns Joey Manu, Sam Walker, Daniel Tupou, Sam Verrills, Sitili Tupouniua and Victor Radley have all been named for their first hit-out of 2022 along with Maroons prop Lindsay Collins, who returns from a knee reconstruction.

Collins hasn't played since round eight last year when he did his ACL on a horror night in Newcastle when Brett Morris also suffered the same fate.

After starting last week against Canberra, Drew Hutchison and Ben Marschke have been named on the interchange bench and will be hoping for some game time to press their claims for the season opener.

Wests Tigers: Former Sea Eagle and Rooster Jackson Hastings suits up for his first game in Tigers colours, joining Luke Brooks in the halves. With Adam Doueihi sidelined for at least the first eight rounds there'll be plenty of interest in how 26-year-old Hastings handles the five-eighth role.

Star fullback Daine Laurie and centre James Roberts also step out after missing last week's trial against Manly.

One of the club's new captains, Ken Maumalo, gets a start with Starford To'a dropping back to the interchange. Joe Ofahengaue gets a crack in the starting side with Tyrone Peachey going to the bench.

Warriors v Titans, Saturday 2.00pm (AEST), 3.00pm (AEDT) at Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Warriors: Shaun Johnson will play his first game in Warriors colurs since the 2018 qualifying final and his halves partner is Kodi Nikorima, who has beaten Ash Taylor to the No.6 jersey.

With Reece Walsh to miss the first two rounds due to suspension, Chanel Harris-Tavita is again being used at fullback this weekend leaving him poised to wear the No.1 jersey in round one.

Hooker Wayde Egan is good to go after off-season shoulder surgery while Josh Curran has recovered from the head knock he suffered in the All Stars game and joins Euan Aitken and Eliesa Katoa in a powerful back row.

Addin Fonua-Blake and Bunty Afoa played some strong minutes against the Storm and are once again the starting props and will be backed up from the bench by Storm recruit Aaron Pene and rising star Otukinekina Kepu.

Titans: Coach Justin Holbrook will miss the game as he recovers from COVID but skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is good to go after a modification of his training load was made as a precaution after returning from a knee injury.

All Stars reps David Fifita (ribs) and Will Smith (concussion) right to go after missing the Broncos trial.

Toby Sexton will again call the shots from halfback and this week is joined by AJ Brimson as they fine tune their combination ahead of round one.

In the pack, Mo Fotuaika, Beau Fermor, Erin Clark, Kevin Proctor and Fifita are expected to set to see their first action of the season alongside Sam Lisone, Jarrod Wallace, Tanah Boyd, Herman Ese'ese and Jaimin Jolliffe, who blew the cobwebs out against the Broncos.

The only key player missing is new recruit Isaac Liu, who is being held back for the season opener.

Panthers v Eels, Saturday 5.00pm at BlueBet Stadium

Panthers: The Panthers will look to build on the momentum of last week's impressive victory when they add premiership players Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Api Koroisau, Brian To'o, Viliame Kikau, Moses Leota, Spencer Leniu and Scott Sorensen to the mix for the local derby against Parramatta.

Sean O'Sullivan looked all class against the Sharks and he'll call the shots from halfback alongside Luai. Another of last week's standouts, Mavrik Geyer, gets another chance to show his wares from the bench.

Eels: Clint Gutherson and Junior Paulo will co-captain the Eels for the first time as Brad Arthur's men continue their build-up to a round one clash with the Titans.

Gun playmakers Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown take over from Jake Arthur and Jordan Rankin while Sean Russell comes into the starting side after Haze Dunster's season-ending knee injury.

In the pack, Isaiah Papali'i and Reagan Campbell-Gillard line up for their first game of the season while Ryan Matterson moves into the starting side at lock.

Nathan Brown injured his leg in pre-season but is expected to be fit for round one while Wiremu Greig (calf) will sit out this week but should also be right for the season opener.

Rabbitohs v Dragons, Saturday 7pm at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

Rabbitohs: Centre Jaxson Paulo is the only member of this week's starting side who played against the Cowboys. Blake Taaffe, Alex Johnston, Campbell Graham, Josh Mansour, Cody Walker and Lachlan Ilias are all having their first run of the year.

Taaffe has been named at fullback, a position he seems likely to hold down until Latrell Mitchell returns in round two.

Forwards Junior Tatola, Damien Cook, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jai Arrow and Mark Nicholls will be let off the leash after sitting out the Cowboys trial while Thomas Burgess, Siliva Havili and Jacob Host see their first action of 2022 off the bench.

Impressive youngster Josiah Karapani is in the extended squad but Shaquai Mitchell has not been named for the trip to Mudgee.

Dragons: Key big men Aaron Woods, and Jaydn Su'A will don the Red V for the first time while centre Zac Lomax, winger Mikaele Ravalawa, halfback and captain Ben Hunt, newly re-signed prop Blake Lawrie and back-rowers Jack Bird and Jack de Belin all get their first taste of football for 2022.

Tyrell Sloan has been named at fullback with Cody Ramsey on the wing as they battle it out for the No.1 jersey in round one.

Moses Mbye (quad) and Tariq Sims (calf) have been ruled out with minor complaints but are expected to be available for the season opener.

Cowboys v Broncos, Saturday 8.00pm (AEST), 9.00pm (AEDT) at BB Print Stadium, Mackay

Cowboys: On the back of a good win over Souths in Cairns the Cowboys crank up their preparations with a near full-strength squad named to play old rivals Brisbane.

Skipper Jason Taumalolo (hamstring) is the only big name missing but he is no doubt for the season opener against the Bulldogs.

Coach Todd Payten unveils his new-look backline with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback, Valentine Holmes in the centres alongside new recruit Peta Hiku, and five-eighth Tom Dearden partnering co-captain Chad Townsend in the halves. Dearden is expected to play the first half with Scott Drinkwater getting a crack at the No.6 in the second half.

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown has capped off an impressive first pre-season in North Queensland with a starting front-row berth alongside Coen Hess.

Reuben Cotter starts at lock in Taumalolo's absence with young bulls Heilum Luki and Jeremiah Nanai in the second row.

Broncos: With skipper Adam Reynolds being held back for round one the playmaking roles are again filled by Albert Kelly and Billy Walters while former Panther Kurt Capewell will captain the side as he did last week against the Titans.

Selwyn Cobbo gets a chance to press his claims at fullback and Cory Paix will start at hooker as he duels with Jake Turpin for the No.9 jersey for round one.

Forwards Payne Haas, Jordan Riki and Ryan James will see their first action of 2022.

Storm v Knights, 5.45pm at Mars Stadium, Wendouree

Storm: The Storm take on a formidable look with Jesse Bromwich, Christian Welch, Justin Olam, Reimis Smith, Jahrome Hughes, Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and Nelson Asofa-Solomona all named in the 27-man squad for their first outing of the year.

Nick Meaney lines up at fullback again as Ryan Papenhuyzen continues his rehab of an ankle injury sustained at the Geelong camp.

Tyran Wishart, the son of NSW great Rod Wishart, has again been named to start at hooker with Harry Grant and Brandon Smith to come from the interchange.

Grant, Smith, Cameron Munster and Chris Lewis are all ineligible for round one due to suspension but can play this weekend against the Knights.

Knights: Having rolled out a strong side against the Bulldogs on Monday, Adam O'Brien has made just minor changes for the side's second trial with Enari Tuala coming in on the wing for Hymel Hunt (knee), and Lachlan Fitzgibbon named to start this week ahead of Jirah Momoisea.

Back-rower Mitch Barnett has recovered from a groin injury and will line up for his first run of the season.

Young Englishman Bailey Hodgson had surgery on a fractured elbow on Tuesday and faces an extended absence.

Sharks v Bulldogs, Monday 7.00pm at PointsBet Stadium

Sharks: Craig Fitzgibbon gets serious this week in his second game at the helm with Dale Finucane, Nicho Hynes, Wade Graham, Sione Katoa, Briton Nikora, Will Kennedy, Jesse Ramien, Connor Tracey, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Toby Rudolf,  Blayke Brailey and Matt Ikuvalu all stepping out for their first game.

Mulitalo makes his return from the broken jaw which cut short his 2021 season while Graham is a welcome addition having not played since round 14 last year.

Hynes has been named at halfback with Braydon Trindall in the No.6 jersey 

Cameron McInnes will miss the Bulldogs trial and the opening two rounds of the season after undergoing a minor surgical procedure on his knee.

Siosifa Takakai has passed the concussion protocols after suffering a head knock against the Panthers and has been named to play this week.

Bulldogs: A new era dawns for the Bulldogs with star recruits Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton and Brent Naden pulling on the blue and white for the first time. Burton's inclusion at five-eighth pushes Brandon Wakeham to the interchange.

Storm recruit Max King was superb against the Knights on Monday and he'll be out to make another statement in a front row rotation which includes Paul Vaughan, Luke Thompson, Ava Seumanufagai, Jack Hetherington and youngster Chris Patolo.

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