While a number of their stars will be on show at the NRL Auckland Nines, the Sharks are still set to field a formidable line-up in their only 13-a-side trial match before the World Club Challenge when they play the Broncos in Redcliffe on Saturday.
Skipper Paul Gallen, international five eighth James Maloney and Grand Final hero Andrew Fifita have been included in a 25-strong team to tackle Brisbane this weekend.
Coach Shane Flanagan, who will accompany the team to Queensland while handing over the reins to assistant Steve Price at the Nines, will also have Valentine Holmes, new recruit Daniel Mortimer and young hooker Jayden Brialey at his disposal in a match which could have ramifications as to the make-up of his World Club Challenge travelling party and the upcoming kick-off to the 2017 season.
Brailey, Mortimer and Fa’amanu Brown, along with Manaia Cherrington who is in Auckland with the Nines squad, are locked in a battle to fill the vacant hooking role for both the UK match and round one, with performances over the coming weekend sure to influence future selections.
The trial match will also give Holmes some much needed time at fullback, with the Kangaroos winger set to slot into the number one jersey for the Sharks season-opening game against Brisbane on March 2.
Also on show will be a number of Sharks young guns, with a handful of the talented NYC squad to make the trip north on Saturday.
Blayke Brailey, younger brother of Jayden and a member of the Australian Schoolboys last year, will play off the bench, winger Josh Tuilagi and backrowers Jesse Savage, Ryan King and lock Eddie Faalua are all being given an opportunity, with the match against senior opposition sure to be a valuable experience heading into the 2017 Under-20’s season.
NRL Team List v Brisbane Broncos
Trial at Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe
Kick-off: 7:15pm (AEST)
1 Valentine Holmes
2 Haydn Peacock
3 Jordan Drew
4 James Tuitahi
5 Josh Tualagi
6 Fa'amanu Brown
7 James Maloney
8 Andrew Fifita
9 Daniel Mortimer
10 Sam Tagataese
11 Jayden Walker
12 Jayson Bukuya
13 Paul Gallen
14 Jeremy Latimore
15 Kurt Dillon
16 Jaimin Jolliffe
17 Jayden Brailey
18 Blayke Brailey
19 Briton Nikura
20 Ryan King
21 Eddie Faalua
22 Luke Towers
23 Ben Fritz
24 Bessie Aufuga-Toomaga
25 Clayton Uia
The match is scheduled to kick off at 7.15pm Brisbane time (8.15pm Sydney), with a live stream to be made available through the Sharks website.
