Round One Predicted Line-ups: Unexpected Contest for Bunnies Jersey Intensifies Following Key Recruit’s Suspension; Storm Anxiously Await Star’s Availability

As four teams have kicked off their 2025 NRL season in Las Vegas, the remainder of the competition is set to begin this week.

In their opening match, Penrith triumphed over fellow title contenders Cronulla, while the Raiders made a strong impression with a commanding victory against the Warriors.

With six more games on the horizon for round one, coaches face some challenging selection calls due to injuries and suspensions causing early complications.

Take a look at who is expected to line up for your team in the opening round. Finalised squads will be announced at 4pm on Tuesday.

Tune in to watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

THURSDAY

Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos, Allianz Stadium (8pm)

Projected Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Siua Wong 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Nat Butcher 16. De La Salle Va’a 17. Blake Steep

Roosters team update: Spencer Leniu is set to miss the first two matches following suspension, allowing Naufahu Whyte to take on the starting prop role. Both Sam Walker and Brandon Smith will be out for the initial part of the season as they recover from ACL injuries.

Projected Broncos 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. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Xavier Willison

Broncos team update: Kotoni Staggs (quad injury) will be sidelined for the first month, likely paving the way for Gehamat Shibasaki to step into the centre position. Ben Hunt will partner Adam Reynolds in the halves due to Ezra Mam’s suspension.

FRIDAY

Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights, Campbelltown Stadium (6pm)

Projected Tigers team: 1. Sunia Turuva 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Starford To’a 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Api 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

Tigers team update: Jahream Bula (shoulder) is doubtful for the season opener, potentially allowing Sunia Turuva to cover the fullback position. Brent Naden (knee) is out long-term, leading Adam Doueihi to likely shift to centre. Jarome Luai missed the team’s trial matches but is anticipated to wear the No.7 jersey.

Projected Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Mathew Croker

Knights team update: Few significant changes are expected from the squad that impressed against the Roosters in the trials, with Jack Cogger and Fletcher Sharpe likely to secure the first opportunity in the halves for Newcastle this season.

Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Suncorp Stadium (8.05pm)

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

Dolphins team update: Jack Bostock (leg) will miss the next couple of weeks, making way for Max Feagai to join the wing. Tom Gilbert is back after a lengthy layoff and will lead the Dolphins this season. Meanwhile, Tom Flegler (neck) is out for an unknown duration, clouding his future in the NRL.

Projected Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Campbell Graham 4. Jack Wighton 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Tallis Duncan 14. Jamie Humphreys 15. Tevita Tatola 16. Siliva Havili 17. Lachlan Hubner

Rabbitohs team update: Injury misfortunes struck a few weeks ago, resulting in captain Cam Murray (Achilles) being ruled out for the entire season, while Latrell Mitchell (hamstring) is also unavailable. Tallis Duncan is expected to start at lock, with young talent Jye Gray taking the fullback spot. In a silver lining, star centre Campbell Graham (hand) participated fully in Monday’s training and seems poised for an early comeback. New signings Jayden Sullivan and Jamie Humphreys are in a race for the halfback spot, with English newcomer Lewis Dodd unavailable due to suspension. Tevita Tatola (foot) is also working his way back from a long absence and may be named on the bench.

SATURDAY

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Kogarah Oval (5.30pm)

Projected Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mat Feagai 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. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Ryan Couchman 17. Hame Sele

Dragons team update: There are no expected major changes from the lineup that appeared in the Charity Shield. However, competition for wing spots remains high, with Tyrell Sloan, Sione Finau, Mat Feagai, and Christian Tuipolotu among those vying for a position. Front-rower Francis Molo is unavailable as he navigates a complicated contract dispute. Hame Sele, Ryan Couchman, and Loko Pasifiki Tonga Jr are all in contention for bench roles.

Projected Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Sam Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Jaeman Salmon 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Bulldogs team update: Talented winger Jacob Kiraz (back injury) is out for an indefinite period after facing difficulties during pre-season training, likely allowing young speedster Blake Wilson to take his spot. Additionally, Josh Curran (suspension) will miss the opening match, while Sitili Tupouniua is still one or two weeks away from returning due to an undisclosed injury.

Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys, Brookvale Oval (7.35pm)

Projected Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Lehi Hopoate 3. Tolu Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jason Saab 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Siosiua Taukeiaho 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Taniela Paseka 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Josh Aloiai 17. Ethan Bullemor

Sea Eagles team update: Tommy Talau (ankle) is ruled out, with Jason Saab and Lehi Hopoate slated to start on the wings. New addition Siosiua Taukeiaho has had a strong showing in the trials and will start at prop, while Jazz Tevaga is expected to handle the hooker role due to Lachlan Croker (knee) being sidelined for at least the first month.

Projected Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Coen Hess 16. Griffin Neame 17. Sam McIntyre

Cowboys team update: Thomas Duffy appears ready to wear the No.7 jersey this year. John Bateman will step in to replace Heilum Luki (knee) in the back-row, while veteran forward Coen Hess is set to return after missing the entire previous season.

SUNDAY

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels, AAMI Park (4.05pm)

Projected Storm team: 1. Sua Faalogo 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. Joe Chan 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald

Storm team update: Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee) remains a doubt for the opening game, while backup fullback Sua Faalogo (hamstring) is likely to be fit. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension) will not return until round three, with new signing Stefano Utoikamanu expected to start in the front-row.

Projected Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jake Tago 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Jack Williams 17. Wiremu Greig

Eels team update: Mitchell Moses (foot) is striving to be fit for round one; if he is unable to play, Ronald Volkman is anticipated to slot into the halfback role. Zac Lomax and Isaiah Iongi will both make their official debuts for the club, while Josh Addo-Carr (suspension) remains two weeks away from eligibility. Shaun Lane (knee) is also a doubtful start for the Eels.