South Sydney’s Payne Haas coup has dominated the NRL news cycle this week but attention now turns to the first full weekend Pre-Season Challenge matches.
Watch the 2026 NRL Pre-season series plus the All-Star matches LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
There have been several interesting selections across the 16 teams lining up.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
As expected, the Vegas-bound teams have gone with near full-strength squads for their respective games.
Meanwhile, there are a stack of exciting young guns on the first grade fringe who have been given golden opportunities to impress their fans and more importantly, their coaches.
Read on for our Trials talking points!
ARE MANLY PLAYMAKER GUNS READY TO STEP UP?
If we take a look into the Sea Eagles’ crystal ball, there’s a pair of talented halves pulling the strings and leading the famous Manly club to a premiership.
That’s what the Brookvale Oval faithful are praying for.
And that prophecy could begin on Saturday afternoon in Napier, New Zealand when Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large run out alongside each other for the first time in an NRL game.
Walsh, 19, made his first grade debut last season in their final round clash, graduating to the NRL after coming through the ranks as Australia’s under 18s rugby flyhalf and skipper.
He was heavily pursued by a host of clubs and the 15-man code, but ultimately chose his local club – quickly becoming a fan favourite.
Large, meanwhile, is on 18 and has already been handed a top 30 contract in 2026, having signed a three-year deal to join the club from the Tigers.
His 2025 campaign was cut short due to a season-ending shoulder injury, but he will return to the field as one of the game’s most highly-touted players.
Large and Walsh are considered to be the club’s halves pairing in waiting, with Luke Brooks and the newly-signed Jamal Fogarty currently holding the No. 6 and No. 7 jerseys.
Fogarty’s recruitment in particular allows Anthony Seibold to take his time transitioning this rising duo into first grade, with Large yet to even play a NSW Cup game.
Tedesco not giving up on rep footy | 01:18
It’s fair to say both players need to complete their reserve grade apprenticeship, but will undoubtedly be putting pressure on their more experienced teammates at some point this year.
Interestingly, Large, Walsh and Brooks all come off-contract at the end of the 2027 season – which shapes as the point in time where a decision is made regarding the club’s spine direction.
“Joey will get heaps of game time in both trials, against the Warriors and South Sydney. It’s about managing a game, getting to the end of sets, making sure we hand over the ball in an uncomfortable position for the opposition,” Seibold told NRL.com.
“We want Joey to be selective with his passes, but we also want him to use his ability and back himself.
“Onitoni is going to play SG Ball trials and the first round but he’s in our Top 30.
“We’ve got high hopes for him over the next few years so we want him and Joey playing some time together in that first trial. We’ll give him that opportunity at this level.”
2026 SEASON PREVIEWS
RABBITOHS: A Wayne masterstroke and X-factor arrival has Bunnies primed
DRAGONS: Flanagan’s big promise … and the huge gamble to make or break season
BULLDOGS: No one is safe in Ciraldo’s title push after disappointing finals flop
Joey Walsh is Manly’s long-term halfback hope.Source: Supplied
A FIRST LOOK AT SELWYN COBBO IN DOLPHINS COLOURS
Former Brisbane Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo begins his fresh start at a new club this weekend when the Dolphins host the Titans.
Interestingly, Cobbo has been named in the centres and not on the wing.
The 23-year-old has played 19 first grade games in the centres, resulting in six tries. Solid without being spectacular.
It’s fair to say that his best form in first grade has been on the wing, so where coach Kristian Woolf plays Cobbo when the season proper rolls around will be an intriguing storyline.
After a stellar first few years of NRL first grade, Cobbo fell out of favour at the Broncos and was demoted to reserve grade.
However, it cannot be forgotten that 23-year-old Cobbo has featured for the Maroons six times already – crossing the line twice on the biggest stage in rugby league.
The Dolphins will be hoping they find that version, which could help form one of the most damaging centre pairings in the competition with Herbie Farnworth.
It’s also a pairing which could form as a lethal edge combination.
As Woolf explained earlier in the month, he is “open” to where Cobbo could play this season — with three options on the table.
“He’s (Cobbo) trained at left wing, right wing and right centre. He will be one of those positions, but I have an open mind where he ends up,” Woolf told AAP.
“The one thing I can say is Herbie will be the left centre. I know Herbie would like Selwyn outside him, that’s true.
“I have a very open mind as to where he plays and what position the other guys in our backline play as well.
“We have rotated that around a fair big. The beauty of doing that is in the trials we will get an opportunity to see what we think is best coming into round one.”
Get all the latest news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports NRL Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
A slimmed-down Selwyn Cobbo will feature for the Dolphins for the first time in his new team’s trial against the Gold Coast.Source: Getty Images
THE RABBITOHS AND THEIR HALVES DEPTH
It’ll be a familiar sight for the St George Illawarra Dragons this weekend when they come up against two of their former juniors.
Former Gerringong Lions product Ashton Ward will be in the five-eighth role for Souths, while Jonah Glover – who guided the Dragons’ New South Wales cup side to a grand final last year – will be in the halfback jersey ahead of another former Dragon in Jayden Sullivan.
This game gives Glover and Ward a chance to at least push for selection for Rounds 1 and 2, as likely first choice half Jamie Humphreys will be out for two games through suspension.
Roosters legend Braith Anasta says the Bunnies are spoiled for halves depth but in his mind, it’s clear who is starting halves should be when Humphries returns.
“They’ve (South Sydney) got firepower on that left edge. (Cody) Walker is lethal and always has been and will continue to be. Even at the back end of last year, when he was coming off the bench, he was dangerous.” Anasta said.
“Hopefully that works for them, but if it doesn’t they have good depth.
“(Jonah) Glover has big wraps on him, I would be leaning towards him. He has got a lot of potential.”
With Humphries out, Sullivan is the favourite to lead the Bunnies around in the opening two rounds, but Anasta has reservations.
“I’m not sold on Sullivan, I think he has played enough games now and I haven’t seen enough,’ he said.
Walker, who has dealt with several injury issues over the past few seasons, will not feature in the Charity Shield match at WIN Stadium this weekend and may likely be saved for South Sydney’s season opener against the Dolphins.
CAN TITANS YOUNG GUN LIVE UP TO THE HYPE?
Any player caught in a tug of war between his club and the Melbourne Storm obviously can play, but is Titans prodigy Cooper Bai ready to live up to the hype?
Bai backflipped on an agreement to join the Storm in 2027, after an 11th hour bid from Josh Hannay to keep him at the Titans succeeded.
Bai was set to join the club his dad Marcus Bai made his name at, before deciding to continue his development at the Titans by inking a one-year extension for 2027.
Bai senior thought his son might be better served developing under master coach Craig Bellamy at the Storm, but the young lock decided to stay loyal.
However, a one-year extension doesn’t exactly mean Bai will be at the Titans long-term, so the challenge now is for the club to show the youngster that the Gold Coast is the place for him to get the best out of himself and his career.
The 19-year-old debuted off the bench for the Titans in their last round win over the Tigers last year, running for 66 metres from six runs to go with three tackle busts, a linebreak, 14 tackles and four misses.
The Titans are resting a raft of players, so Bai will be given a chance in the run on side for this Thursday’s trial against the Dolphins.
Given his age and experience, there is bound to be growing pains as Bai learns how to be a consistent first grader over the next couple of seasons.
But due to his raw ability and skills and power game, Bai could be the focal point of the Titans’ pack for the next decade.
Cooper Bai has enormous potential.Source: Supplied Source Known
NQ HALVES HEADACHE SEEMINGLY SOLVED
Todd Payten may have made his mind up on the club’s big halves question.
Payten has two options in Jaxon Purdue and Jake Clifford to partner Tom Dearden in the halves this season.
The pair wore the six and seven jersey respectively in the Cowboys’ opening trial against the Bulldogs, with Clifford outplaying Purdue.
Premiership-winning halfback Cooper Cronk said in commentary that Clifford was “the difference” between the two sides and was “a class above”.
Purdue, meanwhile, struggled to make an impact.
Purdue has a desire to play in the halves, despite being a dangerous centre who comes into his third NRL season as a star player who cannot be left out of this Cowboys side.
however, for this weekend’s trial against the Panthers, Payten has named Purdue at centre while Clifford will partner superstar Dearden.
That doesn’t mean the problem is solved, although a strong showing from Clifford this weekend and Payten will have no choice but to keep the 28-year-old in the halves for the club’s Vegas opener.
Clifford is the more experienced option of the pair and has delivered when called upon in the past, albeit a more traditional style of playmaker.
Fox League’s Braith Anasta is of the opinion that experience should win out.
“Purdue had a few shots in the halves last year and was good without being great,” Anasta said.
“They ended up going back to Clifford anyway. Do they roll the dice with Purdue and just back him or do they stick to the one that they know, which is Clifford.
“I’d probably go with Clifford and Purdue in the centres.
“You need stability for Dearden. You don’t want him to have a different half every week. “You’ve got to have a solid combination in there that they can just stick with all year.”
Cowboys hold off determined Bulldogs | 03:28
CAN GALVIN AND BURTON COMBO DELIVER AMID BULLDOGS CONTINGENCY PLAN?
The biggest question surrounding the Bulldogs’ title chance sin 2026 is can a halves combination of Lachlan Galvin and Matt Burton work or do they need a contingency plan?
The Bulldogs went from first on the ladder last season to finishing third and going out of the finals in straight sets after convincing losses to tge Storm and Panthers.
Galvin joined the team halfway through the season after his Tigers exit and was thrust into the unfamiliar halfback role where he will start this season and the trial against the Knights on Saturday night.
However, doubts remain over his suitability for the halfback role due to deficiencies in his long kicking game and organisational skills.
Galvin’s best position is five-eighth and he is arguably too similar to Burton to coexist in the halves together.
Bulldogs premiership winner Braith Anasta revealed new recruit Sean O’Sullivan could be thrust into the halfback role if the Galvin-Burton combination doesn’t click.
“This is a mean-dollar question, the contingency is O’Sullivan,” Anasta said when asked if Galvin can make the halfback jersey his own.
“I’ve heard some mail that he’s just been training really well there and he’s the steady head with his experience.
“And if Galvin and Burton don’t go to plan in the first month there, I think he’ll be in sooner rather than later.
“But I’m just hoping they’ve trained the house down in the pre-season and they’ve worked on that combination and Galvin’s going to ice that No. 7 position and Matty steps it up at No.6.
“They deserve first crack. They’re both elite players and they should be the six and seven, but I’d say a Sullivan on standby.”
However, if O’Sullivan comes in at halfback it begs the question if he is an upgrade on what the Bulldogs had in Toby Sexton?
And will that mean Galvin switches to five-eighth and Burton to the centres? And can Bailey Hayward play big minutes at hooker?
Cameron Ciraldo will be hoping the Galvin halfback experiment works because if it doesn’t it will lead to a lot more questions.
Critta confident of Dogs finals success | 01:04
POTENTIAL SMOKY FOR THE RAIDERS’ NO. 7
With Jamal Fogarty off to Manly this season, the halfback jersey is well up for grabs at the Canberra Raiders in 2026.
Ethan Sanders was tipped as a potential suitor to partner Ethan Strange in the seven jersey this season, but it’s former Panther and Tiger Daine Laurie who will get first crack in the position this weekend.
He’s made 75 appearances across six seasons in the NRL, featuring in Penrith’s 2024 premiership winning year mainly as a fullback or utility.
However after signing on with the reigning premiers on a three-year deal, Laurie said he’s happy to suit up anywhere on the field in green.
“I’ll play anywhere too” Laurie said to Raiders media.
“That’s the good thing about me, I can play a number of roles.
“I’d like to play in the halves, probably five-eighth. I can play fullback as well but probably in the halves (I’d prefer).
“(Ethan) Strange has been killing it there (at five-eighth), but I’m going to try and fit in to the 17 somewhere.”
Sanders is the red-hot favourite to be Canberra’s halfback for their Round 1 clash against Manly but Laurie’s presence gives the Ricky Stuart some much-needed depth and a potential option to turn too if Sanders struggles.
Another new recruit in Coby Black is also in the frame, but he’s still quite raw and young. The former Bronco is also under an injury cloud to start the season.
Daine Laurie.Source: Getty Images
IS KADE REED WORTH BRINGING STRAIGHT INTO THE DRAGONS HALVES?
The Dragons’ biggest dilemma coming into the season is which halves combination will help them score enough points to push for a finals berth.
The Dragons showed last season that they have a toughness and resilience in defence and could have finished higher than 11th if a few close games had gone their way.
But the halves combination of Kyle Flanagan and Lyhkhan King-Togia just didn’t create enough try-scoring opportunities to win more games and there are doubts if recruit Daniel Atkinson will help them improve in that area.
At 25, Atkinson has only scored eight tries in 36 games in the NRL and remains untested as a full-time NRL halfback, while Flanagan has more experience but hasn’t nailed a starting role at any of his clubs to date.
They are also very similar players, which could be exposed when they come together for the first time against the Rabbitohs in The Charity Shield this weekend.
King-Togia offers a point of difference, while 19-year-old Kade Reed had a sensational debut against the Knights last weekend.
Reed had two linebreak assists, two try assists and a try and impressed with his desperation in defence and skills in attack both with his kicking and passing against the Knights.
Braith Anasta believes the Dragons halves were already feeling the heat heading into the season before Reed’s stunning debut.
“They’re already under pressure, really whether anyone likes it or not,” Anasta said.
“Because of last year and the situation at the Dragons, there’s going to be all eyes on that combination with Flanagan and Atkinson and whether Atkinson is a No. 7 or not.
“Reed’s not ready yet. He was outstanding the other night. It’s great for them and their depth and potential moving forward and they know they’ve got another option there if it doesn’t work, which is good for them.
“He showed potential to be a future first-grader, but it’s hard as to go off that one trial in understrength teams.
“I love watching him play and he’s got X factor and he looks sort of first-grader.
“I would go with Atkinson and Flanagan, but all eyes will be on them, so they’re under pressure before a ball’s kicked.”
Kade Reed was terrific in the Dragons’ opening trial match.Source: Getty Images