Plenty more NRL Pre-Season Challenge games are being played over the next few days and this means more Kiwi-NRL deep cuts like Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Esom Ioka, Nazareth Taua, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava and the return of Taniela Otukolo.

The Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels game will feature Salesa-Leaumoana for Knights and Te Hurinui Twidle for Eels who are both named in the wider squads. Salesa-Leaumoana came out of Southern Cross Campus and emerged from the school at the same time as Leka Halasima who is in the NZ Warriors squad.

Having played for a few local league clubs, Salesa-Leauamoa appears to have the closest connection with Mangere East and after leaving Auckland to join Knights, the edge forward has quickly progressed through their ranks. Now he offers edge forward depth and he seems likely to get a crack at NRL footy some time this year, with a similar style to former Knights junior Simi Sasagi.

Twidle is a funky youngster to watch out for because he has also progressed quickly through the Eels system. The Turangawaewae junior is primarily a fullback but Eels recruited Isaiah Iongi from Panthers and he's starting in that position, while Twidle also played in the halves last year with a similar stature to Hikurangi junior Dylan Brown. That versatility could increase his chances of game time and his role will be the most important thing to watch out for.

North Queensland Cowboys have named Esom Ioka at centre and Jeremiah Mata'utia (Otara) on the extended bench. Ioka has been grinding away for a few years now after being an impressive youngster at Kelston Boys High School and Glenora, which was parlayed into senior footy for Glenora in Auckland.

In another sign that Aotearoa rugby league is sizzling, Ioka moved to Australia to play Queensland Cup with Western Clydesdales and earned a promotion to trial footy with North Queensland Cowboys. The quick progression through Australian systems is the key here and now Ioka has a chance to push for NRL opportunities, mainly as a centre but also offering skillful versatility across the backline.

The funky quartet of Kiwi-NRL Dolphins are all named to play against Cowboys. Tevita Naufahu (St Kentigern College) is starting centre, Aublix Tawha (Turangawaewae) is starting edge forward, while Elijah Rasumussen (Westlake Boys High School) and John Fineanganofo (Auckland Grammar School) are on the extended bench.

NZ Warriors have named Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (Otahuhu) at centre for their game vs Melbourne Storm. Along with Demitric Vaimauga (Otahuhu) being named at edge forward after playing middle forward last weekend and Leka Halasima (Mangere East) featuring on the edge where he could play middle or edge, these youngsters have incredible versatility that is now being shown at the trial leve.

Ieremia-Toeava is especially funky because he played multiple games at prop, edge forward and centre in NSW Cup last season. Not only did he offer value in all three positions, he did so while still being eligible for Under 19 SG Ball and was churning out big minutes against fringe NRL players.

In the trial vs Sharks, Ieremia-Toeava mainly played edge forward. His mobility is probably best suited to the edges at the NRL level and this is why he's named at centre in this game, but he could push for a bench spot to cover middle forward as well if he shows that he can handle the physicality of that role.

Nazareth Taua is named alongside Salesi Ataata for South Sydney Rabbioths for their outing vs Manly Sea Eagles. Otahuhu junior Ataata is a new arrival from Sharks, while Taua has had a sneaky swift rise with Rabbitohs and the Marist junior has consistently been promoted ahead of his age group. Both are likely to play as middle forwards.

The Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans game involves Ryder Williams (Marist) on the extended bench for Titans. Williams is one of the best young halves from Aotearoa and despite Titans having lots of depth in this role, he continues to get opportunities. This should flow into consistent game time at Queensland Cup level and his performances in trial footy will provide an insight into his potential.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have named Alekolasimi Jones (Mt Albert), Cassius Tia (Marist) and Zyon Maiu'u (Glenora) in their squad to play Wests Tigers, as well as Otahuhu junior Taniela Otukolo. Having first emerged with the 2020 NZ Warriors SG Ball team where he played alongside Maiu'u, Otukolo was shuffled over to the Redcliffe-Warriors during the pandemic era and ended up taking a break from rugby league.

Otukolo returned with Western Clydesdales last season in Queensland Cup where he played 15 games. Things were a bit goofy to start with as he was listed as playing edge forward for one his first few games but then he settled into a consistent groove as the starting hooker where he steadily churned out 80-minute efforts.

Like the recruitment of Maiu'u, Otukolo is a snug fit at Bulldogs. He offers dummy half depth and his powerful scooting around the ruck could be a point of difference compared to other hookers at Bulldogs. Otukolo can also operate as a small forward if he is given time to develop in that role by coach Cameron Ciraldo.

Sydney Roosters have named Benaiah Ioelu as their starting hooker to play against St George Illawara Dragons, with Salesi Foketi on the bench. Manurewa junior Foketi can play edge or middle forward and he will be on the fringe of the Roosters' NRL team to start the season.

Coming out of Tangaroa College in Otara and a bunch of rugby league clubs in Auckland, Ioelu is the funky selection here as he has a fabulous opportunity to showcase his ability at a time when the future of the Roosters dummy half role is uncertain. It seems unlikely that Ioelu will get an NRL debut this season as he's played 11 games of NSW Cup, but Roosters have invested heavily in his development along with Foketi and they may see Ioelu as their dummy half of the future.

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