NRL 2018: Pre-season, trial dates, venues and all you need to know

Andrew Lucas

NRL 2018: Pre-season, trial dates, venues and all you need to know image

It's that time of year when NRL premierships are built.

MORE: Why Adam Reynolds is in a moon boot this NRL pre-season | The real reason Cameron Munster was sent home from Kangaroos camp

The NRL pre-season is the period when coaches and players work on building fitnesss, creating combinations and practicing match-winning plays.

Then it's time to test out if the hard work has payed off, beginning with the NRL trials.

A bumper three-week schedule has been announced by the NRL ahead of the kick-off to the premiership season.

SCHEDULE

Week one trials

7 February – Storm v Knights at AAMI Park (3pm local)

8 February – Eels v North Sydney at Ringrose Park (7pm local)

10 February – Broncos v Central Capras at Theodore (6pm local)

Super League: 10 February – Wigan v Hull FC at WIN Stadium, (7.45pm local)

Week two trials

16 February – Storm v Leeds Rhinos at AAMI Park (8pm local)

17 February – Panthers v Roosters at Panthers Stadium (7.10pm local)

17 February – Bulldogs v Raiders at Sunshine Coast (5pm local)

17 February – Broncos v Titans at Toowoomba (7pm local)

17 February – Sharks v Sea Eagles at Southern Cross Stadium (7.30pm local)

17 February – Cowboys v Wests Tigers at Barlow Park Cairns (7.30pm local)

17 February – Warriors v Storm at Rotorua Stadium (3pm local)

17 February – Dragons v Hull at ANZ Stadium (5.30pm local)

17 February – Rabbitohs v Wigan at ANZ Stadium (7.40pm local)

Week three trials

23 February – Storm v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium (7pm local)

24 February – Bulldogs v Panthers at Belmore Oval (6.30pm local)

24 February – PNG Hunters v Broncos at Port Moresby (3pm local)

24 February – Wests Tigers v Sharks at Campbelltown Stadium (7pm locall)

24 February – Sea Eagles v Roosters at Central Coast Stadium (6.30pm local)

24 February – Titans v Warriors at Sunshine Coast (5pm local)

24 February – Knights v Eels at Maitland No.1 Showground (7pm local)

24 February – Broncos v Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval (7pm local)

24 February – Rabbitohs v Dragons at Mudgee (7.30pm local)

MAIN GAMES

10 February – Wigan v Hull FC at WIN Stadium - First Super League match played in Australia.

16 February – Storm v Leeds Rhinos at AAMI Park - First World Club Challenge match.

17 February – Dragons v Hull at ANZ Stadium - World Club Challenge double header.

17 February – Rabbitohs v Wigan at ANZ Stadium - World Club Challenge double header.

23 February – Storm v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium - Testimonial Clash acknowledging Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston.

24 February – Knights v Eels at Maitland No.1 Showground - NRL trial taken to Maitland.

24 February – Rabbitohs v Dragons at Mudgee - Annual Charity Shield to be played at Mudgee.

MATCH UPS TO WATCH OUT FOR

17 February – Warriors v Storm at Rotorua Stadium - Former Storm forward Tohu Harris to take on his old team.

17 February – Sharks v Sea Eagles at Southern Cross Stadium - Former Dragons teammates collide: Josh Dugan v Joel Thompson.

23 February – Storm v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium - Honoured players to take on one another: Cameron Smith v Jonathan Thurston, new Cowboys forward Jordan McLean to face his old club.

24 February – Wests Tigers v Sharks at Campbelltown Stadium - Benji Marshall returns to Campbelltown to face new recruit Matt Moylan and Cronulla.

24 February – Knights v Eels at Maitland No.1 Showground - Both New South Wales Origin stars will face-off for their new teams: Mitchell Pearce v Jarryd Hayne

HOW TO WATCH

For the rural games and the usual venues, check your club's website for updated ticket information.

For those more inclined to watch the games from their couch, at least one game will be broadcast each weekend.

Fox League's coverage

10 February – Super League: Wigan v Hull FC at WIN Stadium, (7.45pm local)

16 February – Storm v Leeds Rhinos at AAMI Park (8pm local)

17 February – Dragons v Hull at ANZ Stadium (5.30pm local)

17 February – Rabbitohs v Wigan at ANZ Stadium (7.40pm local)

23 February – Storm v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium (7pm local)

24 February – Rabbitohs v Dragons at Mudgee (7.30pm local)

Nine's coverage

16 February – Storm v Leeds Rhinos at AAMI Park (8pm local)

Live stream

Fans check your club website for a potential live stream of the match on gameday.

KEY PLAYER MOVEMENTS

James Tedesco from Wests Tigers to Sydney Roosters

Ben Hunt from Brisbane Broncos to St George-Illawarra Dragons

Kieren Foran from New Zealand Warriors to Canterbury Bulldogs

James Graham from Canterbury Bulldogs to St George-Illawarra Dragons

Josh Dugan from St George-Illawarra Dragons to Cronulla Sharks

Jack Bird from Cronulla Sharks to Brisbane Broncos

Dane Gagai from Newcastle Knights to South Sydney Rabbitohs

Josh Reynolds from Canterbury Bulldogs to Wests Tigers

Joel Thompson from St George-Illawarra Dragons to Manly Sea Eagles

Andrew Lucas

Andrew Lucas Photo