Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf will unveil prized Broncos recruit Selwyn Cobbo when Maroons enforcer Tom Flegler makes his long-awaited playing return.<\/p>\n
Woolf has named a star-studded Dolphins side for Thursday night\u2019s opening pre-season trial against the Titans at Kayo Stadium.<\/p>\n
Cobbo will pull on a Dolphins jersey for the first time since his off-season move to Redcliffe when he starts at centre.<\/p>\n
The former Queensland flyer is looking to rebound from a challenging 2025 season which saw him limited to 15 NRL appearances and sent to reserve grade by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.<\/p>\n
Cobbo, 23, was squeezed out of Red Hill after the Broncos prioritised other re-signings on their way to snapping a 19-year NRL premiership drought.<\/p>\n
The 83-game NRL representative has responded by shedding 10kg as he looks to rebuild his career and will get an early run against a mostly inexperienced Titans team.<\/p>\n
The trial will also mark the return of Flegler following 677 days on the sidelines with a career-threatening shoulder injury.<\/p>\n
Flegler hasn\u2019t played since round 5 of the 2024 season after sustaining the rare nerve problem in just his fourth appearance for the Dolphins.<\/p>\n
Having undergone multiple operations and a slow rehabilitation process, Flegler has finally got to the point of being cleared to play.<\/p>\n
He has been named to come off the bench along with the likes of Felise Kaufusi and rookies Noah Fien and Seb Su\u2019a.<\/p>\n
The match will also mark the return of Dolphins captain Tom Gilbert after he missed most of the 2025 season with a shoulder injury.<\/p>\n
The Dolphins went within a whisker of playing finals for the first time last year, finishing ninth following a late-season fade out.<\/p>\n
Woolf wants to get some minutes into a host of regular NRL players, naming Jake Averillo, Jamayne Isaako, Isaiya Katoa, Frank Molo, Connelly Lemuelu, Oryn Keeley and Super League recruit Morgan Knowles.<\/p>\n
Penrith signing Brad Schneider has been named at five-eighth in his first appearance for the Dolphins, but star players Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth have been put on ice.<\/p>\n
VEGAS PREVIEW? PAYTEN NAMES STRONG COWBOYS SIDE<\/p>\n
North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten has shown his hand ahead of the NRL season-opener in Las Vegas, betting on Jake Clifford for Friday night\u2019s pre-season trial match against the Panthers.<\/p>\n
Clifford will partner Maroons star Tom Dearden in the halves with Jaxon Purdue shifting out to the centres in a star-studded full strength Cowboys team. <\/p>\n
This week\u2019s team is a sneak peek at Payten\u2019s intentions for 2026, although the side is still missing Griffin Neame (round 2), Jeremiah Nanai (round 6), Tom Chester (round 1) and Viliami Vailea (round 1-2) through injury.<\/p>\n
The lack of outside back depth may have forced Payten\u2019s hand but it was still a major selection win for Clifford, who set up two tries and kicked four goals in 40 minutes of action against the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
Despite Clifford earning the first opportunity in the No.6 jersey, Payten said he wasn\u2019t going all in on the Tully Tigers junior just yet.<\/p>\n
Heilum Luki will start in the back row alongside Sam McIntyre after making his comeback from long-term injury lay-off last week, with John Bateman and Kai O\u2019Donnell included on the interchange.<\/p>\n
Luki said it was a great feeling to be back in a Cowboys jersey after more than 12 months on the sideline.<\/p>\n
Payten said the 195cm Cairns product would be a welcome addition to the squad in 2026.<\/p>\n
Cowboys development players Liam Sutton and Mason Barber have both been included in Payten\u2019s top 19 for the trial, and they could figure into the Las Vegas equation if Chester and Vailea have not proven their fitness.<\/p>\n
Lodge is one of the other big inclusions this week, and Payten challenged the veteran middle forward to bring his aggression to the trial.<\/p>\n
\u2014Patrick Woods<\/p>\n
OTHER NOTABLE TEAM NEWS<\/p>\n
All eyes will be on the Eels on Sunday evening when Jonah Pezet runs out in the No.7 jersey having made the move from the Storm for 2026 before he joins the Broncos next year. <\/p>\n
He\u2019ll lead a strong Eels side missing Mitch Moses, with Ryley Smith named to start at hooker ahead of Tallyn da Silva. <\/p>\n
Ativalu Lisati has earned a starting spot in the back row for the Storm as hype builds that he will be the man most likely to replace Eli Katoa, while new recruit Jack Hetherington gets the chance to impress coach Craig Bellamy in the front row.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s still plenty of intrigue about the halves situation in Newcastle with Sandon Smith named alongside high-profile recruit Dylan Brown, with Fletcher Sharpe to play fullback with Kalyn Ponga unavailable. Thomas Cant starts in the back row ahead of Jermaine McEwen against a strong Bulldogs side that\u2019s missing Jacob Kiraz and Marcelo Montoya.<\/p>\n
Setu Tu is the frontrunner to start on the wing in Vegas after he was named ahead of Tyrell Sloan for the Charity Shield, with Daniel Atkinson to play halfback in his first game for the Dragons.<\/p>\n
Former Dragons Matt Dufty and Jonah Glover will run out for the Rabbitohs, with Latrell Siegwalt to play centre.<\/p>\n
And Manly\u2019s next generation of halves will get the chance to shine with Onitoni Large and Joey Walsh named to start as life after Daly Cherry-Evans begins on the northern beaches.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ll have to contend with powerhouse Leka Halasima in the centres for the Warriors, while Hugo Savala starts at five-eighth for the Roosters as he pushes for a spot in their first grade squad.<\/p>\n
\u2014Martin Gabor<\/p>\n
NRL PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE WEEK TWO TEAMS<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS VS TITANS<\/p>\n
Thursday 8pm, Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe<\/p>\n
Dolphins<\/p>\n
1. Jake Averillo 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Selwyn Cobbo 4. Brian Pouniu 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Brad Schneider 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. John Fineanganofo 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Morgan Knowles<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Felise Kaufusi 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Matthew Milson 17. Toby Batten <\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Noah Fien 19. Elijah Rasmussen 20. Lauloto Salei 21. Sebastian Su\u2019a 22. Lewis Symonds 23. Callum Bowles 24. Sangstar Figota<\/p>\n
Titans<\/p>\n
1. Jaylan de Groot 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Sunny Kama 4. Max Feagai 5. Jenson Taumoepeau 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Klese Haas 11. Arama Hau 12. Adam Christensen 13. Cooper Bai <\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Jett Liu 17. Tukimihia Simpkins<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Kyle Pickering 19. Max Bradbury 20. Bodhi Sharpley 21. Tony Francis 22. Dean Ieremia 23. Phoenix Steinwede 24. Brenton Baira<\/p>\n
RAIDERS VS STORM<\/p>\n
Friday 5:30pm, Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan<\/p>\n
Raiders<\/p>\n
1. Chevy Stewart 2. Michael Asomua 3. Mark Tuialii 4. Savelio Tamale 5. Jed Stuart 6. Jalen Afamasaga 7. Daine Laurie 8. Samuel Hyne 9. Owen Pattie 10. Vena Patuki-Case 11. Matt Nicholson 12. Jordan Uta 13. Joseph Roddy<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Malachi Smith 15. Sebastian Kris 16. Sione Finau 17. Jayze Tuigamala<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Ethan Alaia 19. Kain Anderson 20. Shaun Packer 21. Myles Martin 22. Jake Clydsdale 23. Roman Tuaimau 24. Saxon Innes<\/p>\n
Storm<\/p>\n
1. Hugo Peel 2. Luke Cesari 3. Marion Seve 4. Moses Leo 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 6. Eli Morris 7. Jordan Hamlin 8. Davvy Moale 9. Gabriel Satrick 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Ativalu Lisati 12. Cooper Clarke 13. Trent Loiero<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Amare Milford 15. Zayvian Langkilde-Fale 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Angus Hinchey <\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Preston Conn 19. Liam Williams 20. Jesse Rafferty 21. Mitchell Jennings 22. Amaziah Murgha 23. Waka Hammond 24. Alan Holten<\/p>\n
COWBOYS VS PANTHERS<\/p>\n
Friday 8pm, BB Print Stadium, Mackay<\/p>\n
Cowboys<\/p>\n
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Reuben Cotter<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Soni Luke 15. Tom Mikaele 16. Matt Lodge 17. John Bateman<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Liam Sutton 19. Mason Barber 20. Kai O\u2019Donnell 21. Harrison Edwards 22. Jaxson Paulo 23. Robert Derby 24. Ethan King<\/p>\n
Panthers<\/p>\n
1. Jaxen Edgar 2. Jesse McLean 3. Patrick Moimoi 4. Sione Fonua 5. Nick Murphy 6. Keahn Skipps 7. Kurt Falls 8. Delahia Wigmore 9. Billy Scott 10. Tobias Crosby 11. Zakauri Clarke 12. Kalani Going 13. Billy Phillips <\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Jenson Tuaoi 15. Jakeb Vailalo 16. Vea Tapa\u2019atoutai 17. Harry Armstrong<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Tuaomaliemavaitoelau Patea 19. Isaiah Scanlan 20. Hokafonu Lemoto 21. Jirah Liddiard 22. Braye Porter 23. Haami Loza 24. Josh Ruxton<\/p>\n
WARRIORS VS SEA EAGLES<\/p>\n
Saturday 1:40pm, McLean Park, Napier<\/p>\n
Warriors<\/p>\n
1. Geronimo Doyle 2. Haizyn Mellars 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Luke Hanson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Demitric Vaimauga 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Morgan Gannon 13. Erin Clark<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 17. Kayliss Fatialofa<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Makaia Tafua 20. Motu Pasikala 21. Rodney Tuipulotu Vea 22. Jack Thompson 23. Caelys-paul Putoko 24. Daeon Amituanai 25. Sio Kali<\/p>\n
Sea Eagles<\/p>\n
1. Blake Metcalfe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Clayton Faulalo 4. Josh Feledy 5. Navren Willett 6. Onitoni Large 7. Joey Walsh 8. Simione Laiafi 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Paul Bryan 11. Jackson-levi Shereb-schmidt 12. Corey Waddell 13. Caleb Navale<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Zaidas Muagututia 15. Hugo Hart 16. Viliami Fifita 17. Kylan Mafoa<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Tyler Melrose 19. Andes Johansson 20. Benjamin Keene-o\u2019keefe<\/p>\n
WESTS TIGERS VS ROOSTERS<\/p>\n
Saturday 3:50pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle<\/p>\n
Wests Tigers<\/p>\n
1. Heath Mason 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Faaletino Tavana 6. Javon Andrews 7. Jock Madden 8. Kit Laulilii 9. Tristan Hope 10. Sione Fainu 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Phoenix Godinet 13. Charlie Murray<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Jared Haywood 15. Jack Attard 16. Solomone Saukuru 17. Christian Taupau-Moors<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Max Taotua 19. Siotame Havea Jr 20. Lachlan Broederlow. 21. Luke Jack 22. Iverson Matai 23. Logan Deininger 24. Mitch Taotua 25. Josese Lanyon 26. William Craig<\/p>\n
Roosters<\/p>\n
1. Rex Bassingthwaighte 2. Junior Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 4. Tommy Talau 5. Tom Rodwell 6. Hugo Savala 7. Toby Rodwell 8. Egan Butcher 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Taylor Losalu 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Nat Butcher 13. Siua Wong<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. De La Salle Va\u2019a 15. Jackson Stewart 16. Jaxson Allen 17. Itula Seve<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18.Jake Elliott 19. Lachlan Dooner 20. Zac Sarfati 21. Reece Foley 22. Lui Lee 23. Kanaan Magele 24. Enzo Griffier 25. Ashton Warwick<\/p>\n
KNIGHTS VS BULLDOGS<\/p>\n
Saturday 6pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle<\/p>\n
Knights<\/p>\n
1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Dylan Brown 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Tyson Frizell 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Thomas Cant 13. Mathew Croker <\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Jermaine McEwen 16. Elijah Leaumoana 17. Pasami Saulo <\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Brodie Jones 19. James Schiller 20. Wilson de Courcey 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Francis Manuleleua 23. Connor Votano<\/p>\n
Bulldogs<\/p>\n
1. Connor Tracey 2. Jonathan Sua 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Harry Hayes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Josh Curran 19. Sean O\u2019Sullivan 20. Jake Turpin 21. Taye Cochrane 22. Cooper Toy 23. Raymond Puru 24. Jed Reardon 25. Alekolasimi Jones 26. Aaymon Fitzgibbon<\/p>\n
DRAGONS VS RABBITOHS<\/p>\n
Saturday 8:10pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong<\/p>\n
Dragons<\/p>\n
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su\u2019A 13. Hame Sele <\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Hamish Stewart 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Ryan Couchman 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Tyrell Sloan 19. Mathew Feagai 20. David Fale 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Kade Reed 23. Jacob Halangahu 24. Hayden Buchanan 25. Nick Tsougranis 26. Haele Finau<\/p>\n
Rabbitohs<\/p>\n
1. Matt Dufty 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hope 3. Talanoa Penitani 4. Latrell Siegwalt 5. Jordi Mazzone 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jonah Glover 8. Salesi Ataata 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Lachlan Hubner 11. Thomas Fletcher 12. Max McCarthy 13. Bronson Garlick <\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Jamie Humphreys 15. Junior Tatola 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Matthew Humphries 19. John Radel 20. Tim Johannssen 21. Elijah Keung 22. Jay Kirk 23. Nazareth Taua 24. William Afualo 25. Oliver Lawry 26. Tayson Fakaosi<\/p>\n
SHARKS VS EELS<\/p>\n
Sunday 6pm, Henson Park, Sydney<\/p>\n
Sharks<\/p>\n
1. Liam Ison 2. Kristian Dixon 3. Chris Veaila 4. Michael Gabrael 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Riley Pollard 7. Niwhai Puru 8. Braeden Uele 9. Jayden Berrell 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Billy Burns 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Toby Rudolf <\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Riley Jones 15. Bradley Fearnley 16. Felix Faatili 17. Harrison Hassett <\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Samuel McCulloch 19. Jaxon Lavender 20. Taj Ford 21. Xavier Cacciotti 22. Alex Challenor 23. Nikora Williams 24. Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa<\/p>\n
Eels<\/p>\n
1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Jake Tago 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Joash Papali\u2019i 7. Jonah Pezet 8. J\u2019maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Sam Tuivaiti 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Matt Doorey<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Charlie Guymer 16. Jordan Samrani 17. Teancum Brown<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Apa Twidle 19. Mohamed Alameddine 20. Richard Penisini 21. Araz Nanva 22. Lorenzo Talataina 23. Ronald Volkman 24. Ryda Talagi<\/p>\n
MAORI ALL STARS VS INDIGENOUS ALL STARS<\/p>\n
Sunday 3:45pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton<\/p>\n
Maori<\/p>\n
1. Keano Kini 2. Jojo Fifita 3. Casey McLean 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Trey Mooney 9. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Leo Thompson 11. Briton Nikora 12. Jacob Laban 13. James Fisher-Harris<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Royce Hunt 16. Preston Wiki 17. Joe Chan<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18 Manaia Waitere 19. Adam Pompey 20. Jesse Arthars<\/p>\n
Indigenous<\/p>\n
1. Trai Fuller 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Jack Wighton 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicholas Hynes 8. Josh Kerr 9. Connor Watson 10. Shaquai Mitchell 11.Tallis Duncan 12. Josh Patston 13. Hohepa Puru<\/p>\n
Interchange: 14. Jamal Fogart 15. Jayden Campbell 16. Kaiden Lahrs 17. Blake Steep<\/p>\n
Reserves: 18. Oliver Pascoe 19. Caleb Tohi 20. Brent Woolf<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf will unveil prized Broncos recruit Selwyn Cobbo when Maroons enforcer Tom Flegler makes his…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":470986,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[40371,1724,64,63,240477,9239,240476,941,761,762,240475,158,132836,85,230033,40620],"class_list":["post-470985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-andrew-abdo","tag-asia","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-bound-teams","tag-eastern-asia","tag-follow-teams","tag-japan","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-near-full-strength-squads","tag-nrl","tag-pre-season-challenge","tag-sports","tag-wilson-smith","tag-world-club-challenge"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470985","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=470985"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470985\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/470986"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=470985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=470985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=470985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}