Papenhuyzen, Xerri return and Vegas-bound clubs go all out for trials

Ryan Papenhuyzen and Bronson Xerri are the two feel-good comeback stories on Thursday night when the trials officially kick off at Belmore.

Melbourne officials are anticipating Papenhuyzen will play about 40 minutes against Canterbury as he returns from a broken ankle.

The Storm ace rolled around in pain at the end of August in just his third game back from a shattered kneecap, but has been in full flight on the training paddock since the start of the year.

The initial plan was for Papenhuyzen to play against the Bulldogs and skip next weekend’s match against Newcastle in Fiji, but Storm officials will be guided by how the fullback pulls up.

For the Dogs, Xerri is back on the field after 1615 days following a four-year doping ban.

There were no guarantees Xerri would return to the NRL, let alone secure a starting spot for the club’s first trial.

Bronson Xerri in pre-season training in November.

He has impressed officials all summer and will be given as much game time as he wants.

The Dogs are in no rush to play Stephen Crichton in the second and final trial, which will give Xerri plenty of time to prove to coach Cameron Ciraldo he deserves to be there from round one.

Drew Hutchison and Matt Burton have been named in the halves and recruit Blake Taaffe at fullback. They are expected to play about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Kalyn Ponga has been rested for the Knights’ clash against Cronulla on Saturday, but Jackson Hastings, Tyson Gamble and recruit Jack Cogger will all get game time in the halves.

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is looking forward to watching starting halves Daniel Atkinson and Niwhai Puru, who also have utility value – and could even push for a bench spot come the start of the NRL season – along with prop Tuku Hau Tapuha, who has worked overtime this summer.

The Roosters have named a full-strength side, including skipper James Tedesco, and recruit Dominic Young. Joey Manu is on the reserves list, but will get game time.

Manly will rest several stars, including Luke Brooks, but Josh Schuster will get some game time off the bench.

Latrell Mitchell’s involvement in the All Stars means Jacob Gagai and Jye Gray will spend time at fullback for South Sydney, who have named close to a full-strength side for Saturday’s Charity Shield showdown against St George Illawarra.

Dean Hawkins comes into the halves for the injured Cody Walker to partner Lachie Ilias, while Damien Cook has been kept on ice, with Peter Mamouzelos to start at dummy-half.

Parramatta have rested most of their top-liners against Canberra, but there is a lot of excitement about the prospects of Blaize Talagi. The young fullback will not succeed Clint Gutherson any time soon, but he has been a standout coming through the grades, with good judges likening his footwork and graceful movement to teammate Dylan Brown.

Brisbane, like fellow Vegas-bound clubs the Roosters and Souths, will go all out against North Queensland in what will be a steamy Mackay at 3pm on Sunday.

Jayden Sullivan and Aiden Sezer start in the halves for the Wests Tigers, who spent Tuesday jet-boating in New Zealand, with rookie Lachlan Galvin at No.14 for the trial against the Warriors.

Meanwhile, All Stars players are expected to be regularly rotated on Friday, given the blistering heat and humidity in Townsville. Both coaches are mindful not to push their players too hard, especially the handful of stars due to fly to Las Vegas early next week.

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