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.
Kicking off the first match of the 2025 NRL season, all eyes will be on Ricky Stuart and whether or not he names any of the young players brought into the squad, such as Ethan Sanders, Savelio Tamale, and Noah Martin, among others.
Winger Albert Hopoate will not travel to Las Vegas due to personal reasons, allowing Savelio Tamale to take the vacant wing spot over Jed Stuart and Michael Asomua.
Despite battling a calf injury during the pre-season, Zac Hosking is set to feature in Round 1 and is looking to take on Las Vegas by storm, per The Canberra Times.
Meanwhile, Kaeo Weekes's impressive pre-season is poised to see him once again take the No.1 jersey ahead of 2024 U19s State of Origin Man of the Match Chevy Stewart.
Young hooker Owen Pattie is a chance to make his first-grade debut but is likely to be held back for a bit, with Stuart opting to go with the combination of Danny Levi and Tom Starling.
Projected Round 1 team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Matty Nicholson 17. Trey Mooney
Ahead of their match in Las Vegas, the Warriors have already suffered a disastrous blow with winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak ruled out of the contest.
After head coach Andrew Webster revealed two weeks ago that Watene-Zelezniak was set to be on the sidelines until Round 6, the club has confirmed that he will spend even more time out with injury and will return in Round 10 at the earliest.
Watene-Zelezniak's absence opens up the door for Taine Tuaupiki who is set to be handed the vacant spot on the wing after filling in at fullback last year for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Rocco Berry (shoulder) also remains in the casualty ward and is improving after suffering from a brachial plexus injury.
“It's another string to his bow. That way it gives us more depth and another option,” said Webster via the NZ Herald.
“We've got a headache in the next two weeks to work out what we do there. Attacking-wise, he's a great player. It's just positionally for him, I reckon, he'd find it hard.
“That's probably the second time he's done it in his life. He's gone from the halves to fullback when he was younger. Now he's on the right wing for the Warriors in the NRL. Positionally, he learned a lot, he was in good spots and he'll get even better for it.”
The NZ Herald also reports that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will slot into the other wing spot and transition from the centres.
Projected Round 1 team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Adam Pompey 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Tom Ale 17. Bunty Afoa
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.
“If it all goes to plan I'll be avaialble,” Edwards told Code Sports.
“I 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
Boasting a new-look Sydney Roosters team, Trent Robinson will need to rely on its representative stars and veterans if it is to make the 2024 NRL Finals.
Brandon Smith and Sam Walker remain sidelined for the first half of the season, meaning Sandon Smith and Chad Townsend will be the halves pairing to begin the year - Jake Elliott and Toby Rodwell will be hot on their tails.
Robert Toia and Mark Nawaqanitawase look set to be handed the two centre spots, replacing Joseph Suaalii and Joseph Manu. Billy Smith is also an option but failed to play in the first pre-season match.
Recently re-signing with the club for the foreseeable future, Egan Butcher is still recovering from an ACL injury he sustained last May but could be available as early as Round 1.
"Egan's return date is Round 1 or Round 2 and so is Billy Smith from last year's injuries but everyone else is right to go," Robinson said.
Spencer Leniu has also been suspended and will miss the opening matches of the 2025 NRL season. Naufahu Whyte has emerged as his likely replacement in the starting front-row.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Robert Toia 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Siua Wong 17. De La Salle Va'a
The Broncos failed to reach expectations last season and are looking to climb up the ladder under a new coach in Michael Maguire.
Maguire has revealed that Selywn Cobbo will transition back to the wing, meaning Deine Mariner was set to shift into the centres alongside Kotoni Staggs. However, Gehamat Shibaskai has emerged as a surprising bolter for the side in place of Mariner.
"I said it was about performing at training and Gem has done a great job. He has been around first grade before and is not a pup," Maguire said per AAP on Shibasaki's potential of featuring in Round 1.
"He's got a bit of game experience under his belt and credit to him he has got himself really fit and performing at training so I've given him an opportunity."
In a five-way battle for the No.9 jersey, it looks like Billy Walters and the out-of-favoured Cory Paix are the early favourites after Blake Mozer went down with injury and Ben Hunt will begin the season at five-eighth with Ezra Mam suspended.
Brendan Piakura's spot in the starting back-row also remains in doubt, with Jack Gosiewski impressing Michael Maguire at pre-season training and will, at the very least, earn a spot on the interchange bench, per The Daily Telegraph.
Kobe Hetherington is another player that has impressed Maguire during pre-season and there have been multiple reports that he will slot in the starting lock position pushing Patrick Carrigan into the front-row alongside Payne Haas.
“I think we're just playing with a few things at the moment as a club, but I'll always put this club first and my teammates first, and whatever position I have to play, it is what it is,” Carrigan said via AAP.
“It's not too dissimilar to me.”
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Payne Haas 9. Cory Paix 10. Patrick Carrigan 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Xavier Willison
For the first time in his NRL career, Jarome Luai will lace up the boots for another team other than the Penrith Panthers, while recruits Sunia Turuva, Jeral Skelton, Terrell May, Royce Hunt and Jack Bird are all set to make their club debuts.
Co-captain Apisai Koroisau remains suspended for the opening round so he won't take the field and will be replaced by young gun Tallyn Da Silva who captained the club in their first pre-season match against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
His elevation to the No.9 jersey will open up a spot for Latu Fainu on the interchange bench.
Star fullback Jahream Bula is also racing the clock to be fit. Heath Mason will slot into the No.1 jersey if he is unavailable.
“We'll see about round one,” Bula told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Everything went well with the surgery. I've been doing my rehab the past six months. I'm getting closer. I started full contact last week.
“‘Moose' [Tigers head of performance Peter Moussa] has been good, he's really strengthened it, and he doesn't like to bring players back too early.
“I copped a knock last week; Samuela came flying in with his shoulders. He's too strong.
“It was nothing serious – I didn't need scans – but I'll need to do another test next week before round one.”
Coming off representing the Prime Minister's XIII at the backend of last year, Alex Seyfarth has been training in the starting back-row position (previously held by John Bateman) while Samuela Fainu has been training on the other edge.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Justin Olam 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Fonua Pole 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Terrell May 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Jack Bird 14. Latu Fainu 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Twal
All reports indicate that Fletcher Sharpe will be handed a spot in the halves with either Jack Cogger or Tyson Gamble as Adam O'Brien continues to deal with the club's halves dilemma.
Sharpe's move into the halves won't be the only selection change with Kalyn Ponga confirming to foxsports.com.au that Tyson Frizell will move from the back-row into the middle of the field this season.
This was seen by the former NSW Blues forward playing at lock against the Parramatta Eels in their opening pre-season trial match.
“He's definitely got the work ethic and football IQ,” Ponga said on SEN radio endorsing Fletcher Sharpe's switch to the halves via Fox Sports.
“Fletch is a natural footy player and he's normally a fullback but he's a pretty handy fullback as well.
"He is someone you want close to the footy because of what he can do with it. It will take some time for him to learn and I'm prepared to be patient with it.
"You want the footy in his hands because he makes things happen and he's just a natural footy player.”
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Kai Pearce-Paul 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Mat Croker 16. Brodie Jones 17. Adam Elliott
Dolphins veteran Felise Kaufusi is set for a position change from the second-row into the front-row as Kristian Woolf takes over the head coaching reigns from Wayne Bennett.
"I will be doing my best to come off the back fence," Kaufusi said, speaking with AAP.
"I actually started off in the front row in my NRL career. It is a different position from the back row, but I will be doing my best to see how I go."
This move allows young recruit Kulikefu Finefeuiaki to move into the starting back-row after joining from the North Queensland Cowboys, while Thomas Flegler still remains sidelined for an unconfirmed amount of time.
However, Tom Gilbert will return to the squad after missing the majority of last season and will slot into the forward pack with Max Plath, Kenneath Bromwich, Connelly Lemuelu and Mark Nicholls.
Unfortunately, winger Jack Bostock has been ruled out of the match and isn't set to return until Round 3, opening a spot in the back-line.
Projected Round 1 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. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Max Plath 14. Sean O'Sullivan 15. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Mark Nicholls
Ahead of Round 1, the Rabbitohs have several players on their roster who could potentially make their return from injury or sit out an extra week to rehabilitate.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have had a horror pre-season with Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray ruled out for a lengthy period after sustaining injuries at training with five minutes of each other.
Rookie Jye Gray will replace Mitchell at the back of the field just like he did last season, while Tallis Duncan has emerged as the favourite to replace Murray at lock and will move into the starting team.
Campbell Graham and Cody Walker both remain in doubt for Round 1 but are likely to be available - if not, they will return the following week.
Halfback Lewis Dodd is also set to be unavailable after being hit with a one-match suspension from the MRC with fellow recruit Jamie Humphreys impressing in the Charity Shield match and likely to get the nod ahead of Jayden Sullivan.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Campbell Graham 4. Jack Wighton 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Tallis Duncan 14. Siliva Havili 15. Jacob Host 16. Lachlan Hubner 17. Sean Keppie
The Dragons have made several new changes heading into this season headlined by the arrival of quarter Clinton Gutherson, Valentine Holmes, Lachlan Ilias and Damien Cook.
Gutherson's arrival at the Red V will see him land the fullback spot, pushing Tyrell Sloan to the wing. Following Zac Lomax's departure, Christian Tuipulotu will take the other wing spot.
“He's probably a generational talent in some words, he's played at the highest level for a number of years now,” Gutherson said on Sloan via foxsports.com.au.
“We've seen what he can do on the field, he can do things probably 99 per cent of people can't.”
Arriving from the Canberra Raiders, Emre Guler will take one of the starting front-row spot while the other remains in contention and is likely to be decided upon after the NRL Pre-Season Challenge.
Emerging forward and U19s NSW Blues representative Loko Pasifiki Tonga will play in the Charity Shield match and could make a case to be selected for the opening round, per The Daily Telegraph.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Moses Suli 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hame Sele 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Toby Couchman
After it seemed that the Bulldogs would enter Round 1 with their best available team after sustaining no injuries or suspension during the pre-season, they have been hit with several blows over the past two weeks.
Back-rower Sitili Tupouniua is set to return in Round 2 from injury and it was confirmed on Tuesday that outside backs Enari Tuala and Jacob Kiraz will miss the start of the 2025 NRL season.
Josh Curran has also been slapped with a one-match suspension.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Marcelo Montoya 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Jaeman Salmon 16. Tom Amone 17. Kurtis Morrin
Taken from the field against the Rabbitohs and sustaining a shoulder injury, Taniela Paseka has been cleared of any "serious damage" and will be available for Round 1.
Coach Anthony Seilbold has also confirmed during the off-season that Tom Trbojevic will remain in the fullback spot despite rumours of him potentially playing in the halves to accommodate Lehi Hopoate.
Set to be without hooker Lachlan Croker to at least Round 4, coach Anthony Seibold has confirmed that at least two of Jake Simpkin, Gordon Chan Kum Tong or Jazz Tevaga will be named in the team - Simpkin is likely to be handed the starting No.9 jumper.
“It's been documented that Croker won't be available until at least Round 4,” Seibold said on SEN 1170.
“Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Jake Simpkin both played in the number nine positions at various stages last year and both did a really good job. Both of them have improved from last year and are both capable of the job.
"One of our new signings Jazz Tevaga is a number 13 and also has the ability to play No.9 which he has done for his previous team the Warriors and the New Zealand team.
"You've got three really handy players in that position and we'll use two of them in that first game.”
Projected Round 1 team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Nathan Brown 16. Siosiua Taukeiaho 17. Toafofoa Sipley
The Cowboys had a pre-season to forget after Heilum Luki and Tom Chester were both injured and ruled out of the 2025 NRL season.
Veteran Jason Taumalolo is also set to miss the opening rounds after suffering a Lisfranc injury and subsequently undergoing surgery. However, the club receives Coen Hess back from injury, which is a massive inclusion.
With Kyle Feldt and Valentine Holmes' departure freeing up spots in the back-line, Viliami Vailea has reportedly won the battle for one of the centre spots while Jaxon Purdue and Zac Laybutt remain in contention for the other centre position, per The Townsville Bulletin.
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 17. Thomas Mikaele
For the first time since 2014, Christian Welch won't be available for selection after announcing his medical retirement, freeing up a spot on the Storm's interchange bench.
Lazarus Vaalapu is the likely replacement for him after appearing in the 2024 NRL Grand Final. Nelson Asofa-Solomona also remains suspended for Round 1 with recruit Stefano Utoikamanu taking his position in the starting front-row.
The Storm have also suffered a massive blow with fullback Ryan Papenhyzen in doubt for the opening round of the 2025 NRL season as he continues to battle lingering ankle and knee issues.
After club officials confirmed he'd miss the two pre-season matches, QLD Maroons winger Xavier Coates will be available after suffering an injury scare at training with his right ankle being attended to.
“Xavier is going really well. He's not training with the team just yet, but he's been running close to full speed with our rehab staff," GM of Football Frank Ponissi said.
“We're confident he'll be ready to go and play Round 1 against Parramatta.
“Jahrome had a minor calf issue over the last week and he's just getting back to full training.
“Sunday is probably a bit too early for him to play, so like Xavier we expect Jahrome to be fully fit for the Parramatta (Round 1) game.”
Projected Round 1 team: 1. Sua Fa'alogo 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Tui Kamikamica
Entering a new era under Jason Ryles, the Eels will have a few new faces in their line-up, but Josh Addo-Carr won't be one as he remains on the sidelines due to a suspension from last year.
Isaiah Iongi will take the fullback spot previously held by Clinton Gutherson. Joash Papalii and Ryley Smith impressed in the club's first pre-season match and are bolters for the utility spot off the interchange bench.
Duo Bailey Simonsson and Shaun Lane will be unavailable due to injury.
Projected Round 1 team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Jake Tago 3. Will Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Jack Williams 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Joash Papalii 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Kelma Tuilagi 17. Wiremu Greig
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