Trial: Sharks v Newcastle @ Coffs Harbour

[Yahoo News]

Craig Fitzgibbon will captain Sydney Roosters for the first time as most of the NRL's big names turn out in this weekend's final round of trial matches. -

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Fitzgibbon-to-lead-Roosters-in-NRL-trial/2006/02/22/1140563835188.html

Fitzgibbon to lead Roosters in NRL trial
February 22, 2006 - 12:59PM

<EDITED> Full article can be found here

Andrew Johns makes an unexpected return from knee injury to come off the bench when Newcastle play a full-strength Cronulla at Coffs Harbour.

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[Yahoo News]

Knights the team to beat: Kimmorley

Cronulla captain Brett Kimmorley says the Newcastle Knights and not defending premiers Wests Tigers or bookies' favourites St George Illawarra will be the team to beat in this year's National Rugby League (NRL) season.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1588594.htm

Knights the team to beat: Kimmorley
Last Update: March 10, 2006. 12:21pm (AEDT)

Cronulla captain Brett Kimmorley says the Newcastle Knights and not defending premiers Wests Tigers or bookies' favourites St George Illawarra will be the team to beat in this year's National Rugby League (NRL) season.

The Knights finished bottom of the table in 2005 after a season which saw inspirational playmaker Andrew Johns spend long periods on the sidelines with injuries.

But Kimmorley said that the prospect of a Knights side with Johns at full fitness was one that should worry their NRL title rivals.

"We played Newcastle in the trial and I thought they were great and Joey didn't play," he said.

"If you add Joey then back to that ... they've been through that really hard part last year, all their kids now are a bit older ... they've brought really well, the winger they've bought from England [Brian Carney] played really well against us and scored two tries. I think they'll be good."

The NRL season gets under way today with Wests Tigers up against the Dragons at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.

Attachment: Wary of the Knights...Brett Kimmorley (File photo) (Getty Images)