Supercoach analysis: NRL Round 1 team lists

We’ve arrived at the first official NRL team lists for the 2024 season.

In a unique drop, we have just four teams available to us of course due to the split round 1 of the season with two games to be played in Las Vegas.

This has caused a lot of confusion to Supercoaches in how the game will work to begin the year, so here it goes.

As per a regular weekend of games, once the two games kick-off in Vegas those respective players in NRL Supercoach will be locked.

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This means that if they are in your team you won’t be able to trade them out, move them around, give them captaincy or bench them until round one is completed, which will be the conclusion of the following weekend.

For the remaining 13 clubs, you will be free to trade their respective players in and out of your team and move them around with captaincy, reserves etc.

They will then lock once their games kick off next weekend.

Hopefully this all makes sense, drop a question in the comment section at the bottom of the page if it doesn’t.

With all that cleared up, let’s take a look at the NRL Supercoach analysis of the first four teams of 2024.

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SEA EAGLES v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 3^rd March, 1:30pm, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Tolutau Koula, 4. Reuben Garrick, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Josh Aloiai, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Ben Trbojevic, 13. Jake Trbojevic, 14. Karl Lawton, 15. Corey Waddell, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Nathan Brown, 18. Jake Arthur, 19. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, 20. Aaron Woods, 21. Tommy Talau, 22. Brad Parker

Analysis: No major surprises at the Sea Eagles.

Ben Trbojevic ($277,400) has been named to start on the edge with Josh Schuster unavailable due to injury.

Even if Schuster was cleared, Burbo was every chance to get the nod to start.

While there’s obvious risk of benching, with his ability, dual positioning and price I’m keen to take a punt on him and likely play him in my CTW in round 1.

Waddell is a concern is he gives him a break, but even if he can play at worst 55 minutes it should be a worthwhile buy at the price.

Tommy Turbo ($833,500) has been named as expected after missing the trials, he’s someone I’m very keen on.

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Check out my Sea Eagles Supercoach preview for the reasons why this is.

Reuben Garrick has been named at centre, with Jaxson Paulo starting on the wing.

Garrick doesn’t appeal to me after the positional change, and while I’m not keen on Paulo, that left wing could be a gold mine this season if Turbo stays fit.

I don’t particularly like any other Sea Eagles to start the year, however there will be a very close watch on Luke Brooks who could fire in the 5/8 slot we’re battling to fill.

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Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Isaiah Tass, 4. Richie Kennar, 5. Jacob Gagai, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Sean Keppie, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Cameron Murray, 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Jacob Host, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Tom Burgess, 18. Tallis Duncan, 19. Michael Chee-Kam, 20. Shaq Mitchell, 21. Peter Mamouzelos, 24. Dean Hawkins

Analysis: Siliva Havili getting named at 14 hurts the entire forward pack who otherwise would have been likely to see greater minutes if hooker Peter Mamouzelos was named.

It is of course a big win for Damien Cook although he could still share minutes with Havili after suffering a pre-season niggle.

Jai Arrow ($466,000) is a genuine 2RF mid-range option, but the four forward bench is a worry.

Tallis Duncan has missed the 17, but edge back-rower Jacob Host has been picked who likely spells Arrow, as could Cam Murray.

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Sean Keppie ($385,400) caught the eye of plenty in the Charity Shield with an impressing showing, but I’m not convinced with the four forward bench.

He already averaged 41 minutes per game at Manly last season, scoring at just 0.92 points per minute for a 38 point average.

I don’t think he gets too many more minutes than that, so to become relevant he likely needs to increase his offloading.

He very well may, and he did so in the Charity Shield at times, but at $385,400 it’s a bit of an awkward price to punt.

I don’t think he will lose you any money and should at least be solid, but I can see him punching out 40s and not making much cash.

Davy Moale ($268,500) could be set for a breakout year, but I need to see him increase his 26 minutes per game from last season up to 35+ this year before buying.

Jacob Gagai ($204,300) is available as FLB-CTW and is a potential cheapie, but with Jack Wighton to return soon there’s plenty of risk.

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ROOSTERS v BRONCOS

Sunday, 3^rd March, 3:30pm, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Billy Smith, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Joseph Suaalii, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Spencer Leniu, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Siua Wong, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Victor Radley, 14. Sandon Smith, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Terrell May, 18. Fetalaiga Pauga, 19. Angus Crichton, 20. Egan Butcher, 21. Zach Dockar-Clay, 22. Connor Watson

Analysis: With Dom Young out due to a neck injury, Joseph Suaalii starts on the wing with Billy Smith and Joey Manu at centre.

Manu aside, this leaves uncertainty over job security on the backline making them hard to gamble on for anyone keen.

The Roosters back-row was a huge watch for these team lists, with Sitili Tupouniua ($398,200) and Siua Wong ($462,000) getting the starting edge spots.

If we knew either were getting 80 minutes you’d lock them in, but with Nat Butcher on the bench it is a bit uncertain.

The naming of Sandon Smith as the utility is a big win over Connor Watson.

Butcher could come on through the middle, while Tupouniua could also spend time in the middle.

They could easily play 40-50 minutes, and be benched by round 2, which would be very problematic.

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At this stage it’s a guessing game, and one I think I’m happy to avoid for now.

If we see either man play big minutes in the first two rounds I’ll prioritise them as trades come round 3.

With Jared Waerea-Hargeaves unavailable due to suspension, Spencer Leniu ($332,400) starts at prop, with Terrell May ($430,200) playing off the bench. This isn’t ideal…

If it was the other way around I’d lock in May in a heartbeat, but playing off the bench even with JWH out is a concern for minutes.

I don’t actually think he needs huge minutes to score well due to his offloading and tacklebusting ability, and the Sandon Smith naming does bode well for May.

It also doesn’t particularly help the case of Brandon Smith. He probably plays 55-60 minutes and is given a break by Smith.

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Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Jesse Arthars, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Selwyn Cobbo, 5. Deine Mariner, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Billy Walters, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 14. Tyson Smoothy, 15. Fletcher Baker, 16. Kobe Hetherington, 17. Xavier Willison, 18. Corey Oates, 19. Jock Madden, 20. Tristan Sailor, 21. Martin Taupau, 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Analysis: Jesse Arthars ($376,000) and Deine Mariner ($569,700) have won the wing spots for the Broncos.

Arthars is expected to shift to the right wing which is a goldmine outside Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh.

I’m very interested in him at the price, although I do expect with a tough draw to start the season it may be a bit of a slow burn until we see some bigger scores come out.

On that, we don’t necessarily have to start him in our 17s each week.

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Mariner is also an option, but I’m not overly keen on the left winger, where Arthars averaged just 37 last year.

Brendan Piakura ($426,800) appears to have overcome injury concerns to win the left edge role vacated by Kurt Capewell.

Piakura is an absolute weapon and will be in my team.

Cheapie prospect Xavier Willison ($265,200) has been named despite reports Marty Taupau had pipped him for a bench spot, so let’s see if any news comes of this during the week.