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.
The Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
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
