Newcastle eased to a 44-18 trial win over the Cronulla Sharks, but Adam O’Brien’s list of difficult selection choices only got long after several standout performances from new recruits.

Jack Cogger was top of the list thanks to a strong performance in the halves, but two-try backrower Dylan Lucas and new arrival Will Pryce were also impressive.

Krystian Mapapalangi might well have been in the thinking for an outside back role, but lasted just one tackle before departing with a concussion, a rotten stroke of luck after missing most of 2023 with injury. He must now sit out the second trial next week.

Another who might be out of the second week of the Preseason Challenge will be Tom Hazleton, who was binned for a nasty looking shot that will surely interest the Match Review Panel.

A vital Cog

Adam O’Brien will be forced to read into trial form given the depth of his halves options, and he had several stand up demanding to be picked for their season opener.

Jackson Hastings will be there as the incumbent halfback but underlined his importance with two smart assists, but he’ll have Cogger breathing down his neck after the new recruit made a strong case for inclusion.

There was a 40/20, a try and plenty of other nice contributions, not least in the less-obvious, but vital angles work that kept Newcastle from playing too sideways.

The way the Knights attack is often aimed at the corner post, which requires whoever plays further in to keep the direction under control, which Cogger did superbly.

Also making a mark was Will Pryce, who did stints at fullback and five eighth.

The English import showed exactly what he can bring, with an individual piece of brilliant to create a try for young winger David Armstrong and another one for himself thanks to a killer sidestep.

Anyone who has watched Pryce’s Super League highlights reel will know that he can turn on the style in broken play, and Knights fans got their first glimpse of that today.

It’ll be interesting to see which position O’Brien thinks is best for both Cogger and Pryce.

Tyson Gamble did nothing wrong but will know he is in a fight for that 6 jumper, and while Pryce isn’t going to unseat Kalyn Ponga from the fullback position, that flexibility might earn him a spot on the bench before long.

Two Sharks stand up

The pickings were slim for Sharks fans, though that was to be expected given the settled nature of their starting 13 and the simple fact that most of them were sat in the Gosford grandstand.

The one space that is up for grabs is among their bench rotation, and it will be pleasing for Fitzgibbon that both of the contenders on show put their hands up.

Oregon Kaufusi and Hazleton will likely be the 16 and 17 for the bulk of the season, and showed in patches what they can offer.

Hazleton is always a threat with the ball due to his size but got himself everywhere in defence and, crucially, played bulk minutes, which will be needed this year as he looks to average longer stints on the field.

On top of the usual, Hazleton showed deft hands wider out to create a long-range try for his side, which will certainly be encouraging.

Less so was his stint in the bin for a late, high shot on Mat Croker that may rule him out of the first week of the season.

Kaufusi was his usual bustling self and managed some strong charges as well as setting up an early try for Jayden Berrell with a nice offload around the ruck.