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What is the point of an NRL trial game? Are trials just there because we always had them? Are they relevant in times when player burnout is much feared?
The media seems to regard the main functions of trials as being avoidance of injury to star players, which is really counter productive, and some teams have kept their star player well away from trial matches for this reason.
On these grounds we should also avoid training, which is another major source of injuries.
Some coaches have clear objectives in mind when approaching a trial. Common objective are trialing off season player acquisitions, trialing new combinations or tactics.
At the Charity Shield on the weekend one of Paul McGregor’s objectives was trialing the Dragons’ new defensive structure, and he seemed satisfied with that result. McGregor was also clearly trialling various new players in attack and defence but based around a spine of Josh Dugan, Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop who were on for most of the game. The injury to Dugan gave McGregor the option of trialing Peter Mata’utai as a possible fill-in during Origin.
When Marshall and Widdop were pulled off towards the end of the game, two new halves were given there chance, but the players on the field at that time in other positions had lost the spine so it was no longer a proper test of their potential.
Furthermore, McGregor’s attitude to the Warrington match seems to be that it is not a trial but a serious match with something up for grabs – maybe sponsors to secure.
Souths are also taking their World Club challenge match seriously but then at least there is some silverware up for grabs.
Some other coaches seem to be putting young players on the paddock without the spine which will guide them around during the season and this is no real test of their potential, but then the coach can claim that there were no serious casualties.
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