Queensland Eel rated real chance for Origin honours
CAPTAIN: Alex Glenn (pictured)
COACH: Anthony Seibold
LAST SEASON: 8th
INS: Brodie Croft (Storm), Jordan
Kahu (Cowboys), Jesse Arthars (Titans)
OUTS: Troy Dargan (Rabbitohs), Gehamat
Shibasaki (Knights), Matt Gillett, Shaun Fensom, Sam Tagataese (retired); George Fai,
Patrick Mago, James Segeyaro (unsigned)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Billed as the answer to their No.7 problem, Storm product Brodie Croft impressed during the trials and Nines campaign. LOOK OUT FOR: The best young forward pack in the game – Payne Haas, David Fifita and Tevita Pangai Jr – have somehow put even more muscle on over the pre-season.
PRE-SEASON HERO: Xavier Coates caught the eye during the summer. The 18-year-old has bulked up over the offseason as he pushes for a wing spot.
CAPTAIN: Cameron Smith
COACH: Craig Bellamy
LAST SEASON: 3rd
INS: Ryley Jacks, Brenko Lee (Titans)
OUTS: Will Chambers (rugby), Curtis
Scott (Raiders), Joe Stimson (Bulldogs),
Brodie Croft (Broncos), Billy Walters
(Wests Tigers), Solomone Kata (union)
KEY MAN: Entering his 19th season,
Cameron Smith (pictured) is offering even more guidance to his young charges.
UNDER THE PUMP: Losing premiership centres Will Chambers and Curtis Scott has somewhat exposed the flanks. But journey- man Brenko Lee was a standout in Melbourne’s time-honoured IDQ – I Don’t Quit – commando camp.
PRE-SEASON HERO: Flyer Nicho Hynes has been demanding a spot on the bench like Ryan Papenhuyzen before him.
CAPTAIN: Clint Gutherson
COACH: Brad Arthur
LAST SEASON: 5th
INS: Reagan Campbell-Gillard
(Panthers), Ryan Matterson (Tigers)
OUTS: Manu Ma’u (Super League), Tepai
Moeroa (rugby union), Tim Mannah
(retired)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The forward pack, a point of weakness in the past, has been bolstered by the additions of Reagan
Campbell-Gillard and Ryan Matterson.
LOOK OUT FOR: The playmaking combination of Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses (pictured) and Reed Mahoney now has Andrew Johns as a guiding influence. UNDER THE PUMP: Young five-eighth Dylan Brown is looking to avoid the dreaded “second year syndrome”.
CAPTAIN: Jarrod Croker (pictured)
COACH: Ricky Stuart
LAST SEASON: 2nd
INS: Curtis Scott (Storm), George
Williams (Wigan), Tom Starling, Harley
Smith-Shields (upgraded)
OUTS: Jordan Rapana (Wild Knights), Joey
Leilua (Tigers), Aidan Sezer (Huddersfield),
Brad Abbey (Tigers), Ata Hingano (Mackay
Cutters), Royce Hunt (Sharks)
UNDER THE PUMP: The Raiders have bet big on former Storm centre Curtis Scott, but replacing two-time Dally M centre of the year Joey Leilua won’t be easy.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: English import George Williams, who will start the season as Canberra’s new halfback.
PRE-SEASON HERO: After starting the year on a train-and-trial deal, former All Blacks sevens player Bailey Simonsson will begin the season on the right wing.
CAPTAIN: COACH:
LAST SEASON: INS:
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Stephen Kearney
13th
Wayde Egan (Panthers), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Norths Devils)
Blake Ayshford (retired), Ligi Sao (Hull FC), Issac Luke (Dragons), Sam Lisone (Titans)
OUTS: UNDER THE PUMP:
The emergence of Chanel Harris-Tavita is putting pressure on Stephen Kearney to shift playmaker Kodi Nikorima from No.6 to the bench or even hooker.
PRE-SEASON HERO:
One-time Rooster Josh Curran played just 78 minutes last season. The prop, 20, will play a whole lot more in 2020 after being a summer standout.
Tohu Harris (pictured) will be a welcome addition after missing most of last season with a broken foot.
KEY MAN:
CAPTAIN: James Tamou (pictured)
COACH: Ivan Cleary
LAST SEASON: 10th
INS: Apisai Koroisau (Sea Eagles),
Kurt Capewell (Sharks), Zane Tetevano
(Roosters)
OUTS: Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels),
Sione Katoa (Bulldogs), Tim Grant
(Illawarra Rugby League), Sam McKendry (retired), Wayde Egan (Warriors),
Tyrell Fuimaono (Dragons)
UNDER THE PUMP: Fijian international Apaisi Koroisau has a point to prove after being shown the door by Manly. PRE-SEASON HERO: Brent Naden began 2019 on a part-time contract and ended it as Penrith’s leading try-scorer.
LOOK OUT FOR: The recruitment of powerful ball-runner and Queensland hopeful Kurt Capewell could prove a masterstroke.
LIKE any proud New South Welshman, Michael Ennis feels uncomfortable when talking up his interstate rivals – save for Parramatta Eels and emerging Queensland star Reed Mahoney.
“It’s always strange asking a NSW man about a Queenslander, but I really like Reed,” Ennis said.
The rugged rake from Beerwah put his body on the line 1221 times in 2019, leading the tackling stats for the NRL.
His passing is crisp and out in front, allowing halves pairing Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses to hit the ball with speed.
With Maroons hookers Ben Hunt and Jake Friend entering the twilight of their careers, Ennis believes the Kawana Dolphins junior is in the frame for State of Origin selection – but adds he still needs to sharpen his short passing close to the line.
CAPTAIN: Josh Jackson
COACH: Dean Pay
LAST SEASON: 12th
INS: Dean Britt (Rabbitohs), Joe
Stimson (Storm), Sione Katoa
(Panthers)
OUTS: Connelly Leumelu (Cowboys)
UNDER THE PUMP: Without a specialist
No.9, Jeremy Marshall-King is in line for first crack but will need to prove he can handle the defensive workload in the middle.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Brandon Wakeham
(pictured) will lead the Canterbury Bulldogs into generation next, with the rookie playmaker set to become the club’s next Kieran Foran (out injured).
PRE-SEASON HERO: One the Bulldogs’ standouts in 2019, fullback-turned-winger Nick Meaney has lost none of his pace despite packing on more muscle.
CAPTAIN: Adam Reynolds
COACH: Wayne Bennett
LAST SEASON: 4th
INS: Latrell Mitchell (Roosters), Bryson
Goodwin (Warrington)
OUTS: John Sutton, Greg Inglis, Sam
Burgess (retired), George Burgess
(Wigan), Dean Britt (Bulldogs), Kyle
Turner, Adam Doueihi (Tigers)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: How the Latrell
Mitchell (pictured) gamble pans out this season could make or break the Bunnies’ chances.
UNDER THE PUMP: No Sam, no George. Now Tom Burgess is on his own he has to become the leader of the pack. PRE-SEASON HERO: A backrower with immense potential, Keaon Koloamatangi missed the back end of last year after undergoing shoulder surgery but is ready to make an impact.
“I have no doubt Kevvie (Walters) will have his eye on him (Mahoney) – that traditional dummy-half position is certainly open,” Ennis said.
“I love his service from dummy-half. He gets great width on his passes. His short kicking game is starting to develop.
“He is just tenacious, a terrier around the ruck and will do whatever is asked of him.
“He has built up a really strong combination with his halves and he will work on the individual game plan with his forwards around the ruck. But he is on a rapid rise.”
Parramatta go into the 2020 season with an unchanged spine, which Moses says is key to success.
Moses believes Mahoney, who turns 22 in April, is nailed on for higher honours.
“I hope so. Reed’s only played like 30 games and had a great season in pretty much his first year,” Moses said.
“His passing is outstanding. I can stand 20m away and he’ll hit me on the chest every time.
“He helps me move on to the ball and how he gets it there so quick is pretty special.
“Hopefully he is in for a big year. He just needs to simplify things and he’ll be right.”
Matty Holdsworth
I HAVE NO DOUBT KEVVIE (WALTERS) WILL HAVE HIS EYE ON HIM (MAHONEY) — THAT … DUMMY-HALF POSITION IS CERTAINLY OPEN.