Young guns and Origin stars in stacked team of NRL players snubbed for start of 2025
Updated . First published at
Best reserve grade team ever?
After a number of blowout results in week one of the 2025 NRL season, there has been debate about the depth of rugby league talent and whether expansion is a good idea.
So Wide World of Sports took a look at the players NOT selected to play NRL to start this season.
Tyrell Sloan, Ryan Matterson, and David Klemmer would all walk into most teams but won't be seen on TV as they failed to get selected in the top grade.
And they are joined in this line-up by some of the game's hottest young talent, as well as some representative veterans.
1. Sua Fa'alogo (Storm)
The young livewire is next in line to Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen but wasn't picked on the bench for their round one game against the Eels.
He played 14 NRL games last year between fullback, wing and the bench, and scored eight tries.
2. Tyrell Sloan (Dragons)
He's scored 23 tries for the Dragons over the past two seasons and appeared in 23 games each year, but has started 2025 out of the team.
Sloan's preferred position is fullback but the recruitment of Clint Gutherson has pushed him to the extended bench.
3. Blaize Talagi (Panthers)
He was recruited by Penrith to supposedly replace Jarome Luai in the No.6 jumper, but has been left out of the team for the first two games of 2025.
Shoulder surgery in the off-season reportedly sidelined him for round one but he is named to play reserve grade in week two.
4. Morgan Harper (Warriors)
He has gone to the Warriors after stints at Manly and Parramatta, but isn't making the first grade team at this stage.
5. Tommy Talau (Sea Eagles)
The acrobatic centre/winger was a breakout star for Manly in 2024, crossing for a whopping 18 tries in 23 games.
But with the emergence of Lehi Hopoate on the left wing, Talau finds himself in reserve grade to start 2025.
6. Te Maire Martin (Warriors)
Many have been stunned that the Kiwi five-eighth isn't making the Warriors team to start this year, with coach Andrew Webster instead opting for Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves alongside Luke Metcalf.
7. Lewis Dodd (Rabbitohs)
The English playmaker was not available for round one as he served a suspension.
But he's been overlooked by coach Wayne Bennett for round two, despite coming to the club on a deal reportedly worth $700,000 a year.
Who knows what the supercoach is planning for his prized recruit.
8. David Klemmer (Tigers)
The former Test and Origin prop has fallen out of favour at Concord and is said to be on his way to the Dragons, as soon as they can offload Francis Molo.
It will be his fourth club in the NRL.
Klemmer has not played less than 18 games in a season since his rookie year in 2013.
9. Danny Levi (Raiders)
The former Kiwi and Samoan Test hooker has lost his spot in the Canberra team after playing 23 games last year.
Tom Starling is the starting No.9 while Owen Pattie has come from the clouds to nab a bench spot.
