Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds will miss Saturday night’s clash with North Queensland with a back complaint and is set to start the NRL season without any game-time under his belt.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters is taking no risks with his talismanic halfback and leader and said Reynolds was on track to play against defending premiers Penrith in the club’s season opener on March 3. 

Reynolds completed Tuesday’s training at camp in Twin Waters resort on the Sunshine Coast without issue before waking up Wednesday morning with a tight back.

“Adam ran well yesterday including some extras but is a bit tight in his back this morning so he won’t train today at the main session, which will mean he won’t play against the Cowboys,” Walters said.

“We want him cherry ripe for round one and he’s moving really well after a big pre-season, so there’s no use taking a risk with him in a trial game in these circumstances.”

will give Selwyn Cobbo first crack at claiming the No.1 jersey for round one if Reece Walsh is unavailable, with the latter battling a fractured eye socket.

Cobbo will be fullback against a full-strength North Queensland on Saturday night, with Broncos forward Thomas Flegler to sit out with a head injury but in no doubt for round one.

Penrith have suffered a double blow ahead of the World Club Challenge with star duo Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin to miss the clash with St Helens.

The Panthers decided on Tuesday not to risk the pair ahead of the NRL season, with Edwards managing a minor niggle and Martin out with a shoulder injury.

Both are not expected to be in any doubt for the club’s round-one clash with Brisbane, but officials have opted to play it safe with the duo.

Unsung premiership hero Scott Sorensen will also miss Saturday night’s match, as Penrith aim to claim their first world title.

Stephen Crichton will play fullback in Edwards’ spot, while Zac Hosking will start in the second row for Martin on the right with fellow recruit Luke Garner having won the spot on the left.

Elsewhere, Kalyn Ponga will make his long-awaited return from concussions and a calf injury when he plays five-eighth for Newcastle against Parramatta on Friday.

Lachlan Miller will line up at No.1 against a near full-strength Eels side where J’maine Hopgood has won the role of starting lock.

Wests Tigers are also confident hooker Api Koroisau and halfback Luke Brooks will be fit to play in round one, despite missing Sunday’s trial against Canberra with calf injuries. Daine Laurie has kept the fullback jersey for the Tigers, with Charlie Staines on the bench.

Jordan Rapana will also wear the No.1 for the Raiders in the absence of Xavier Savage (jaw), with Harley Smith-Shields winning the battle to replace Rapana on the wing.

South Sydney will run out close to their full-strength side for Saturday’s Charity Shield with Izaac Thompson earning the spot on the right wing.

The Dragons will also welcome back their All Stars players for the match, with Moses Mbye to play at five-eighth ahead of the fit-again Jayden Sullivan.

Te Maire Martin has won the battle to partner Shaun Johnson in the halves at the Warriors, with Luke Metcalfe to come off the bench against Melbourne on Sunday.

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Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will play fullback for the Warriors while Nick Meaney is the preferred option at the back for the Storm with Ryan Papenhuyzen out until as late as round eight.

Anthony Milford and Sean O’Sullivan will have first crack as the Dolphins’ maiden halves pairing, with young gun Isaiya Katoa to come off the bench against Gold Coast on Sunday. Euan Aitken has been left on an extended bench for the Dolphins, with Tesi Niu and Brenko Lee the two centres.

The Titans, meanwhile, have confirmed Kieran Foran and Tanah Boyd as their halves, with AJ Brimson at fullback and Jayden Campbell the No.14 with Toby Sexton in the No.20.

Manly and Sydney Roosters have opted to rest halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Keary respectively for their trial on Friday night, with Tom Trbojevic also not back from a hamstring injury.

Hayze Perham will play fullback for Canterbury in their trial against a full-strength Cronulla on Sunday.

Week 2 trial teams

Knights vs Eels at Industree Group Stadium, 5.55pm

Knights: Kalyn Ponga is over his concussions and recent calf injury so he will start with new halves partner Jackson Hastings. Raiders recruit Adam Elliott will turn out for his new team off the bench.

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Leo Thompson 16. Adam Elliott 17. Jack Johns 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Hymel Hunt 20. Krystian Mapapalangi 21. Bailey Hodgson 22. Brodie Jones 23. Dylan Lucas 24. Adam Clune 25. Tom Cant 26. Oryn Keeley

Eels: Off-season signings J’maine Hopgood and Jack Murchie pull on an Eels jersey for the first time in the pack.

1. Clint Gutherson 2. Isaac Lumelume 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Cini 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Jakob Arthur 15. Jack Murchie 16. Makahesi Makatoa 17. Wiremu Greig 18. Jordan Rankin 19. Ofahiki Ogden 20. Jirah Momoisea 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Toni Mataele 23. Matthew Komolafe 24. Jayden Yates 25. Ryan Matterson 26. Luca Moretti

Roosters vs Sea Eagles at Industree Group Stadium, 8pm

Roosters: Trent Robinson is rolling out most of his big names – Joseph Suaali’i is getting another hit-out at centre. Luke Keary is being kept in cotton wool before Round 1 but the Roosters’ other senior stars are playing.

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Corey Allan 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Terrell May 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Jake Turpin 17. Siua Wong 18. Thomas Deakin 19. Junior Pauga 20. Sandon Smith 21. Ethan King 22. Tuipulotu Katoa 23. Ben Thomas 24. Tyler Moriarty 25. Xavier Va’a 26. Ellie El-Zakham

Sea Eagles: Josh Schuster gets his chance to show he can play five-eighth while new recruit Cooper Johns will deputise for Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback.

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Cooper Johns 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Sean Keppie 14. Jake Toby 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Viliami Fifita 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Ben Trbojevic 19. Ben Condon 20. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 21. Josh Aloiai 22. Morgan Harper 23. Samuela Fainu 24. Zac Fulton

Dragons vs Rabbitohs at Glen Willow Oval, 4.20pm

Dragons: This will be Tyrell Sloan’s only chance to play fullback for St George Illawarra before Round 1 after being on All Stars duty last weekend. Utility Jayden Sullivan is over his hamstring problem and will play off the bench.

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Moses Mbye 7. Ben Hunt 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Billy Burns 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Francis Molo 16. Josh Kerr 17. Aaron Woods 18. Tyrell Fuimaono 19. Max Feagai 20. Tautau Moga 21. Michael Molo 22. Dan Russell 23. Jaiyden Hunt 24. Treigh Stewart 25. Dylan Egan 26. Savelio Tamale

Rabbitohs: As is the case with most teams, Souths are giving their main team a run before the season starts this weekend with Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker not expected to play big minutes after also representing the Indigenous All Stars last week.

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Peter Mamouzelos 16. Jacob Host 17. Shaq Mitchell 18. Josiah Karapani 19. Terrell Kalo Kalo 20. Ben Lovett 21. Davvy Moale 22. Thomas Fletcher 23. Richard Kennar 24. Michael Chee Kam 25. Jacob Gagai 26. Dion Teaupa

Panthers vs St Helens at BlueBet Stadium, 6.40pm

Panthers: With Dylan Edwards concentrating on getting ready for the regular season, Bulldogs-bound star Stephen Crichton will line up at fullback. Liam Martin’s knee injury opens the door for new recruits Luke Garner and Zac Hosking to start in the second row.

1. Stephen Crichton 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Sunia Turuva 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Lindsay Smith 19. Kurt Falls 20. Liam Henry 21. Thomas Jenkins 22. Mavrik Geyer

Saints: Robust lock Morgan Knowles returns after he was sick for last weekend’s win over the Dragons.

1. Jack Welsby 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Will Hopoate 4. Mark Percival 5. Jonathan Bennison 6. Jonny Lomax 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Alex Walmsley 9. James Roby 10. Matty Lees 11. Sione Mata’utia 12. Joe Batchelor 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Joey Lussick 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook 16. Curtis Sironen 17. Agnatius Paasi 18. Jake Wingfield 19. James Bell 20. Daniel Norman 21. Ben Davies 22. Sam Royle 23. Konrad Hurrell 24. Lewis Baxter 25. Theerapol Ritson 26. Daniel Hill

Broncos vs Cowboys at Sunshine Coast Stadium, 8.10pm

Broncos: Selwyn Cobbo moves to fullback from the wing for Reece Walsh (facial fracture) while Corey Oates, Kurt Capewell and Pat Carrigan are blowing off the cobwebs for 2023. Adam Reynolds is out with back stiffness so Jock Madden will get a start.

1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 19. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Martin Taupau 18. Deine Mariner 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Blake Mozer 22. Xavier Willison

Cowboys: Todd Payten has named a full-strength side which will likely be very similar to his Round 1 squad after resting most of his regulars last weekend in the draw with the Dolphins.

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. James Tamou 18. Ben Hampton 19. Riley Price 20. Brendan Elliot

Warriors vs Storm at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch, 12.50pm

Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Mitch Barnett, Marata Niukore and Dylan Walker are playing their first match since off-season switches to the club while Shaun Johnson will pair with likely Round 1 halves partner Te Maire Martin.

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Josh Curran 17. Tom Ale 18. Ronald Volkman 20. Luke Metcalf 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Bayley Sironen 24. Viliami Vailea 25. Edward Kosi 26. Demetric Sifakula

Squad ✈️ to Christchurch ⚡️

— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 14, 2023

Storm: Xavier Coates may be a late withdrawal as he battles a hamstring injury. With a glut of absentees for Round 1, Craig Bellamy can ill afford another regular first-grader being sidelined.

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Josh King 16. Chris Lewis 17. Tui Kamikamica 18. Jonah Pezet 19. Tyran Wishart 20. Xavier Coates 21. Joe Chan 22. Aaron Pene 23. Jordan Grant 24. Sualauvi Faalogo 25. Alex MacDonald 26. Dean Ieremia

Tigers vs Raiders at Belmore Sports Ground, 2.55pm

Tigers: New captain Api Koroisau will not suit up for his new club until Round 1 but David Klemmer and Isaiah Papali’i will make their first appearances for Wests.

1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Tommy Talau 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Jake Simpkin 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Fonua Pole 15. Charlie Staines 16. Shawn Blore 17. Tukimihia Simpkins 18. Justin Matamua 19. Asu Kepaoa 20. Aistasi James 21. Starford To’a 22. Junior Tupou 23. Brandon Tumeth 24. Will Smith

Raiders: Jordan Rapana, as expected, will be at fullback with Xavier Savage nursing his broken jaw. Danny Levi looks certain to be the starting hooker in Round 1.

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Harley Smith-Shields 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Emre Guler 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Brad Schneider 15. Matt Frawley 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Tom Starling 19. James Schiller 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Albert Hopoate 22. Ata Mariota 23. Trey Mooney 24. Utuloa Asouma 25. Brad Morkos 26. Elijah Anderson

Bulldogs vs Sharks at Belmore Sports Ground, 5pm

Bulldogs: Viliame Kikau will appear in Bulldogs colours for the first time, leaked CCTV footage aside, while Reed Mahoney is packing down at hooker and another new signing, Ryan Sutton, will make his way off the bench.

1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Jr 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Luke Thompson 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Andrew Davey 17. Corey Waddell 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Jackson Topine 21. Jacob Preston 22. Braidon Burns 23. Jayden Tanner 24. Khaled Rajab 25. Jayden Okunbor 26. Ryan Gray 27. Franklin Pele

Sharks: Cronulla captain Wade Graham has been listed on the interchange with Teig Wilton getting the nod ahead of him at second row.

1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Wade Graham 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Jack Williams 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Jayden Berrell 23. Niwhai Puru 24. Thomas Hazelton 25. Kayal Iro 26. Daniel Atkinson

Dolphins vs Gold Coast Titans at Kayo Stadium, 7.05pm

Dolphins: It’s Hammer time at fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow over an ankle complaint while Sean O’Sullivan will have his first outing with the Dolphins at halfback.

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jack Bostock 3. Tesi Niu 4. Brenko Lee 5. Robert Jennings 6. Anthony Milford 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Ray Stone 16. Jarrod Wallace 17. Herman Ese’ese 18. Euan Aitken 19. Isaiya Katoa 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Connelly Lemuelu 22. Valynce Te Whare 23. Mason Teague

Titans: Tanah Boyd appears a chance to partner Kieran Foran in the halves for Round 1 with AJ Brimson reverting to fullback and Jayden Campbell listed on the interchange. Sam Verrills will add class from hooker in his first match since switching from the Roosters.

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Joe Stimson 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Klese Haas 20. Toby Sexton 21. Thomas Weaver 22. Treymain Spry 23. Keano Kini 24. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui