Kangaroos Test star Sione Mata’utia is a shock axing from Newcastle’s NRL opener against the Warriors.
After becoming Australia’s youngest ever Test debutant in last season’s Four Nations campaign, Mata’utia was expected to be one of the young stars of the 2015 season.
But the 18-year-old is set to start the season in the NSW Cup or the Holden Cup after being named as the Knights’ 18th man for their clash with the Warriors at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
Joseph Leilua has been preferred for Mata’utia, and Leilua will play alongside Dane Gagai in the centres for the Knights, in Rick Stone’s return to the head coaching role.
After an off-season punctuated by the Arizona arrests of South Sydney duo John Sutton and Luke Burgess and Gold Coast’s cocaine dramas, the NRL season kicks off on Thursday night when Brisbane host the Rabbitohs in coach Wayne Bennett’s first match in charge of the Broncos since 2008.
Five-eighth Anthony Milford will make his Broncos debut while Glenn Stewart, Sutton and Ben Lowe make up a new look Rabbitohs back-row after Sam Burgess and Ben Teo’s defection to rugby.
Manly’s 2014 injury curse has carried over into the new season ahead of their Friday trip to Parramatta.
Steve Matai (shoulder) Jorge Taufua (knee), Tom Symonds (elbow) and Josh Starling (knee) are all missing from the Sea Eagles line-up, with Jamie Lyon (knee) in doubt.
“I’m not sure yet,” Lyon told AAP.
“I’ve just got to get into training and rehab and see how I go.
“It’s just some old scar tissue around the knee.
“Fingers crossed, but I’m 50/50.”
Anthony Watmough will make his Eels debut against his former club, while another ex-Sea Eagle, Will Hopoate, will replace San Fransisco-bound Jarryd Hayne at fullback.
None of the five players facing drug charges have been named in the Titans side for Wests Tigers’ visit to the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Blake Ferguson will play his first NRL game in almost 22 months when Sydney Roosters travel to Townsville to play North Queensland on Saturday.
Brett Morris is at fullback in his Canterbury debut in their trip to meet Penrith on Sunday.
Brett will play an NRL match alongside twin brother Josh for the first time 2008, while hooker Michael Lichaa will debut for the Dogs.
He is replacing Michael Ennis, who has gone to Cronulla and will play his first game for the Sharks against Canberra.
Captain Cameron Smith has been named to make an early return from an ankle injury for Melbourne’s clash against the Dragons on Kogarah Oval on Monday night to conclude round one.
The eye
Guest
Its a stone screen..surely this isnt about breaking up his centers..the odd man out is Mcmanus or Uate as SC says above..dearly love to see Akuila back to form..then they do what Hodges and Kafu are proposing in Brisbane..Gids stands in the line in defence and they all push out and Sione brings the ball back from long kicks..its Mcmanus' 150 th this weekend whether thats saving him I dont know..
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Sione is not on ly the BEST player at the Knights but he is potentially the 2nd best player in the history of the club, at least history will say that. I can only imagine that the Knights are convinced he will go to the Bulldogs, there is no other logical explanation. He should be the fullback, but it is tough to oust Kurt when his brother is the boss.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Symonds and Lyon have been named to start, has there been further news? I think Stone has gone with horses for courses...those Warriors centres are big humans so he's put Leilua in, not too worried about lateral movement/defence....probably if up against a fast evasive type he would have picked Mata'utia. Lui is on last chance saloon with the Cowboys with Coote being available to either play fullback and Morgan to 6 or Coote to 6.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
He is just making sure that the brothers all decide that the Bulldogs offer is best for there future
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Not sure why Joey isn't in the second row already, he's too slow moving laterally to defend effectively as a centre.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
I think Stone is waiting for something here. What for? I'm not sure, bit it'll be one of three things I think. 1. Bennet manages to get Gagai to the Broncos, and a man I loved becomes the next Justin Hodges. 2. Uate or McManus drop form in the first few games. They have done enough for the club to earn the chance to tie down their positions, but at the first sign of a form drop they'll be gone. Mark my words. 3. Gidley vacates fullback. Whether through under-perfroming (either him or possibly Clydesdale), or a seemingly inevitable injury. I'll add a fourth. Joey has one more hamburger and Stone moves him to the second row.
NQ Cowboy
Guest
Agree, Mata'utia should be fullback with Gidley hooker. Lui in and Coote out of the Cowboys is a head scratcher. I can't see that lasting more than 2 rounds.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Rick Stone showing that he's still at his Burleigh Bears level, useless.
Cecil
Guest
Sione Should be fullback if not wing. Knights centres are their strengths. Knights you are going to make me jump ship. Knights started winning last year with the young fellas playing NRL.