Following the completion of the opening round of the 2025 NRL season, several teams will look to change up their team, while others will enter Round 2 with the exact same line-up.
Adam Elliott (Newcastle Knights), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers), Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys), Tommy Talau (Manly Sea Eagles) and Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers) are just a few players that are set to be available for selection after missing Round 1.
However, while some return, the Dragons will be without a young forward after he sustained an ACL injury, the Rabbitohs are facing a back-line crisis and the Sydney Roosters are set to line-up with an inexperienced forward pack.
Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters
The Penrith Panthers will receive a massive boost with star winger Brian To'o set to make his return after being absent in Round 1. However, an injury cloud still remains over the availability of Liam Henry.
Speaking to AAP before the team's match in Las Vegas, To'o confirmed that he was confident he would be back for Round 2. Coach Ivan Cleary later revealed that he will "definitely be back next game".
This will see Paul Alamoti shift back into the centres and Luke Garner move to the interchange bench.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To'o 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Casey McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali'i 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Luke Garner
The Roosters will unveil a young forward pack this week after Victor Radley sustained a concussion and has been ruled out due to the NRL's mandatory 11-day stand-down period.
Confirming that Radley will not play this week, Roosters coach Trent Robinson also noted that Nat Butcher and De La Salle Va'a will not be available for selection this week.
โWe've had a couple of guys in hospital in the past couple of days in the forward pack which has been really tough," Robinson said.
"They're outside of footy issues. We'll be missing those guys for a couple of weeks, but they're both on the mend.โ
After being named among the reserves last week, Zero Tackle understands that former Parramatta Eels forward and Cook Islands international Makahesi Makatoa is an outside chance to enter the team.
Centre Billy Smith is also closing in on a return but is unlikely to force his way into the back-line at the moment.
โHe's in all the reps now in training so he's going to be ready to go soon, he's in high spirits. I reckon he'll be good to go soon,โ Dominic Young said via The Daily Telegraph.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Robert Toia 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Blake Steep 13. Siua Wong 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Taylor Losalu 17. Makahesi Makatoa
