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.
Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys
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.
โIt's been documented that Croker won't be available until at least Round 4,โ Seibold said on SEN 1170.
โGordon 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.โ
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
