Sixteen NRL clubs are gearing up for the opening round of the 2025 NRL season as Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas hosts the opening match for the second consecutive year.
Several new recruits will be on show for different clubs in Round 1, including Clinton Gutherson (Dragons), Jarome Luai (Tigers), and Zac Lomax (Eels).
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Broncos are set to make a positional change involving one of their star players.
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks
Aiming to become only the third team in history to win five consecutive premierships, the Panthers will produce a new starting team with Casey McLean, Blaize Talagi and Lindsay Smith slotting into the positions left by the departed Sunia Turuva, Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris.
Superstar halfback Nathan Cleary will race the clock to be fit for Round 1 after he underwent surgery during the off-season but is set to be available for selection with Brad Schneider providing coverage for him.
NSW Blues fullback Dylan Edwards is also set to be available following off-season shoulder surgery, while recruit and New Zealand international Isaiah Papalii will be looking to push for a starting spot in the team.
โIf it all goes to plan I'll be avaialble,โ Edwards told Code Sports.
โI think I should be on track, I don't think we're forcing anything or pushing anything, it's just how it falls."
According to Peter Lang from The Western Weekender, Brian To'o sustained a hamstring injury in the lead-up to the clash and is unlikely to feature in the match - Jesse McLean will likely enter the team in his place.
Liam Henry (shoulder) also won't feature in the after succumbing to injury, while recruit Blaize Talagi has been overlooked in favour of Jack Cole, per The Daily Telegraph.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Jesse McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Luron Patea 17. Luke Garner
After breaking their NRL Finals curse last season, the Sharks still remain one of the premiership favourites and have added to their team by signing Addin Fonua-Blake from the New Zealand Warriors to boost their forward pack.
Fonua-Blake is set to be joined by Oregon Kaufusi in the starting front-row with Braden Hamlin-Uele and Thomas Hazelton impressing in the trials and set to be gifted a spot on the interchange bench.
However, they will be without Sione Katoa who has been ruled out for the first-half of the season with injury and either Mawene Hiroti or Sam Stonestreet will take his place in the side after they travelled to Las Vegas.
Projected Round 1 team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sam Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Nicho Hynes 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10 Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Braden Hamlin-Uele 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Siosifa Talakai
