The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs can confirm Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Christian Crichton will miss today’s trial match against the Canberra Raiders.
Watene-Zelezniak has failed to recover from back bruising he sustained during last weekend’s NRL All Stars game, while Crichton will miss the fixture due to knee soreness.
Development player Tui Katoa and rookie Aaron Schoupp have been added to Dean Pay’s squad for today’s final hit-out before round one.
Schoupp joined the club from the Illawarra Steelers for the next three seasons. A first year under 20s player in 2020 and a former Australian under 15s and NSW under 16s centre.
The talented goal kicking outside back scored a try in the Steelers 2019 SG Ball premiership win and was also a member of the NSWCHS side this season.
Will Hopoate will start in the fullback position, while Morgan Harper comes into the starting side in the centres and local junior Jake Averillo will begin the match on the wing.
Bulldogs Team:
4. Will Hopoate
2. Jayden Okunbor
3. Reimis Smith
21. Morgan Harper
23. Jake Averillo
6. Lachlan Lewis
14. Jack Cogger
8. Aiden Tolman
9. Sione Katoa
10. Dylan Napa
11. Josh Jackson
12. Corey Harawira-Naera
13. Adam Elliott
BENCH:
7. Brandon Wakeham
15. Ofahiki Ogden
16. Dean Britt
17. Isaiah Tass
19. Renouf To’omaga
20. Joe Stimson
22. Kerrod Holland
24. Tui Katoa
25. Aaron Schoupp
Live-Stream: Available via Bulldogs.com.au or the Bulldogs App.
