Angus Crichton has been mysteriously left out of the Roosters side to face the Broncos in Las Vegas.
Crichton came off the bench in the Roosters’ 36-22 victory over the Sea Eagles in the first week of the Pre-Season Challenge and has been a regular in the 17 since he first arrived in Bondi in a high profile move from the Rabbitohs after the 2018 season.
Elsewhere, Broncos veteran Corey Oates said late last year in a club statement announcing he had signed a new one-year deal he wanted to prove he “still had it”.
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But he will have to wait at least until he’s back on Australian shores for a chance to do that, having been overlooked by coach Kevin Walters to play on the wing against the Roosters.
Deine Mariner has instead been given the nod.
The Red Hill veteran had a shocking run with injury through 2023 and played just nine matches. Although fit, Oates was overlooked for the Broncos’ finals campaign in favour of Jesse Arthars.
Oates was heavily linked to a move to the Knights at the end of last season after he felt “disrespected” by the Broncos initial offer, before signing a one-year deal in November.
Sunday | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas (Times in AEDT)
1.30pm – Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
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. Jakob Arthur 19. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 20. Aaron Woods 21. Tommy Talau 22. Brad Parker
RABBITOHS
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Richard 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. Thomas Burgess 18. Tallis Duncan 19. Michael Chee Kam 20. Shaquai Mitchell 21. Peter Mamouzelos 24. Dean Hawkins
Referee: Ashley Klein
ANALYSIS: As expected, Luke Brooks has been picked to make his Manly debut at No.6 alongside Daly Cherry-Evans. It’ll be the first time they’ve ever played together, having not even had a trial to commence their halves partnership. Fellow off-season recruits Nathan Brown and Jaxson Paulo have also been picked to make their club debuts. Tom Trbojevic will also play his first game since round 15 last year.
For the Bunnies, Cody Walker is in the side after missing the All Stars game with a calf injury. Interestingly, Sean Keppie will make his Souths debut as starting prop against his old side. Keppie was in and out of Manly’s 17 for much of 2023, but has clearly impressed in preseason. Jacob Gagai will also make his NRL debut after the club successfully applied to have his one-match ban from last year’s State Championship applied for the All Star match.
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3.30pm – Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos
ROOSTERS
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso 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
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
Referee: Adam Gee
ANALYSIS: For the Roosters, Angus Crichton has been mysteriously left out, named in the reserves alongside Connor Watson, who was overlooked on his return from injury in favour of Sandon Smith. Elsewhere, Spencer Leniu has slotted straight into the Chooks starting lineup in the front row. With Dom Young out injured, Joseph Suaalii will play on the wing with Billy Smith at centre.
Having been overlooked for the 2023 finals series in favour of Jesse Arthars, Corey Oates was once again overlooked on the wing – this time in favour of Deine Mariner. Selwyn Cobbo has moved into the centres and Brendan Piakura has been named to play despite suffering an MCL strain the the Pre-Season Challenge. Fletcher Baker is another player named to play his first game for his new club against his old club, picked on the bench.
