Bunnies back-line crisis, NSW Blues winger returns and Tigers receive massive boost: NRL Team Talk: Round 2

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.

Newcastle Knights vs The Dolphins

Newcastle Knights

Coming off a comeback win against the Wests Tigers, the Knights may remain unchanged heading into this week after picking up no injuries or suspensions.

Forward Adam Elliott is a chance to be back and will push his case for selection. Meanwhile Tyson Gamble remains sidelined meaning Fletcher Sharpe and Jack Cogger will remain as the team's halves pairing.

"I don't know, a lot's been said about it, and obviously I need to get some consistency there," coach Adam O'Brien said.

"There will come a point in time, if we're not performing. My number-one job is to try and get as many wins for Newcastle, for our club, for our town, for our sponsors.

"It's up to the guys that get the jersey to perform in the jersey same as it's my job if I'm the coach, I'll do my job too but right now, they'll be the halves next week."

The Dolphins

The Dolphins are likely to receive five-eighth Kodi Nikorima and front-rower Mark Nicholls back after they were absent against the Rabbitohs due to the cyclone in Queensland.

However, they will be without Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (concussion) due to the NRL's mandatory 11-day stand-down policy. This will see Kenneath Bromwich make his way back onto the interchange bench having previously been named the 18th man.

Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone

New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles

New Zealand Warriors 

The Warriors may decide to keep the same this week but Rocco Berry has been cleared for action and returned to the field over the weekend in the NSW Cup competition.

Coach Andrew Webster may also decide to go in another direction in his halves after both Te Maire Martin and Tanah Boyd led the NSW Cup team to victory last weekend - Chanel Harris-Tavita is the likely player to make way.

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters

Penrith Panthers

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

Sydney Roosters

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.

“We'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.”

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.

“He'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,” 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

St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

St George Illawarra Dragons

The Dragons will be forced to make at least one change this week after Ryan Couchman suffered a suspected ACL injury.

"Looks like he has done his ACL so it's not real good," Flanagan said after their Round 1 match.

"Young kid, just at the start of his NRL career, such a competitor, it's not a great thing."

Veteran forward Blake Lawrie is set to make his return from the injury list but if he isn't available Shane Flanagan can call upon the likes of Loko Pasifiki Tonga or Michael Molo.

Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart

South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Rabbitohs will be forced into at least two changes in their back-line after Tyrone Munro (collarbone) sustained an injury last week and Jack Wighton faces a suspension.

Zero Tackle understands that Fletcher Myers will join the team for Munro, while the club may need to ask the NRL for dispensation to use one of their train-and-trial or NSW Cup players to replace Wighton.

During the club's training session on Monday, Bayleigh Bentley-Hape was seen training in the back-line and is likely to be called upon to replace Wighton in the centres.

Lewis Dodd is available to play in his first NRL match after returning from suspension, but Jamie Humphreys played out of his skin against The Dolphins, and it's hard to see Wayne Bennett going against choosing him for this weekend.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks

North Queensland Cowboys

Named on the reserves for last week's match, Jason Taumalolo is set to return to the field for the first time this season, but it's hard to see who he will enter the team for.

Following a lacklustre performance in Round 1, coach Todd Payten may opt to make several other changes with the likes of Kai O'Donnell, Jake Clifford and Zac Laybutt missing out on selection last week.

"Some of our individuals were off the mark," Payten said post-match against the Manly Sea Eagles.

Cronulla Sharks

Despite losing against the four-time reigning premiers Penrith Panthers to open up their 2025 campaign in Las Vegas, Craig Fitzgibbon is set to run it back with the same team.

In a massive bonus for the Sharks, they sustained no injuries or suspensions during their time in Vegas but rookie fullback Liam Ison sustained a suspected ACL rupture in the NSW Cup competition over the weekend.

Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos

Canberra Raiders

The Raiders have received a double blow for this week as they look to make it two consecutive victories after Joseph Tapine and Xavier Savage were both charged by the Match Review Committee (MRC) and decided to take an early guilty plea.

The decision from both of the players means they will be absent this week.

After not attending Las Vegas due to the birth of his child, Albert Hopoate will enter the squad for Savage, while Ricky Stuart is set to call upon a young forward to replace their club captain.

According to The Daily Telegraph, English import Matty Nicholson is set to make his debut off the interchange bench after joining from the Warrington Wolves in the off-season.

Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Josh Papalii 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Matty Nicholson 17. Ata Mariota

Brisbane Broncos

Coming off a dominant 50-14 victory against the Sydney Roosters, Michael Maguire is unlikely to make any changes to his team as Blake Mozer and Kotoni Staggs remain sidelined with injury and Ezra Mam is out with a suspension.

Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walter 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura

Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers

Parramatta Eels

The Eels will still be without the experienced trio of Mitchell Moses, Bailey Simmonsson and Shaun Lane as they remain on the sidelines but could receive Ryan Matterson back after he was a late omission on the weekend.

Matterson's potential return will see either Matt Doorey or rookie Sam Tuivaiti drop off the interchange bench with the latter the likey choice.

Wests Tigers

The Wests Tigers will receive two significant boosts for this week as Jahream Bula (shoulder) returns from injury and co-captain Apisai Koroisau makes his return from suspension.

Their inclusion will see Heath Mason and Tristan Hope drop out of the team, while Tallyn Da Silva keeps his spot on the interchange bench.

Benji Marshall has options to switch up his backline with Charlie Staines and Starford To'a both available for this week.

Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans

Canterbury Bulldogs

Jacob Preston and Stephen Crichton have both avoided suspensions after the Match Review Committee (MRC) charged them following the victory against the Dragons.

Front-rower Samuel Hughes is touch-and-go after being a late omission from their Round 1 match, while the club has yet to issue a return timeline on the status of Jacob Kiraz.

Heading into their first match of the 2025 NRL season, the Titans will already be without Carter Gordon and Kieran Foran after they sustained injuries during the pre-season.

Switching codes from rugby union, Gordon has been ruled out for the opening weeks of the competition due to a back injury. Meanwhile, Foran sustained a biceps injury and is set to be sidelined for a significant amount of the 2025 NRL season.

Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. Klese Haas 16. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 17. Josiah Pahulu