Two games of the opening week have already been completed, with the season kicking off in Las Vegas, but the remaining teams for Round 1 have been named, with coaches springing a few selection surprises.
Injuries have played havoc with several teams, while fans will also get to see some new faces in different jerseys for the first time.
Cyclone Alfred has also forced a change of plans with the NRL avoiding a scheduling nightmare, with a last-minute deal moving the Dolphins’ date with South Sydney to Parramatta.
NRL bosses confirmed on Tuesday evening that Friday night’s opening-round match would be shifted out of Brisbane and to CommBank Stadium.
Kristian Woolf. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Dolphins duo Kodi Nikorima and Mark Nicholls have withdrawn from the clash with South Sydney as Cyclone Alfred makes a beeline for the southern Queensland coast.
Kenny Bromwich, who was slated to be 18th man, has also pulled out of Friday night’s clash in Sydney.
Nikorima’s wife Bree took to Instagram to blast the NRL over the decision to go ahead with the game.
“Because a game of football is THAT IMPORTANT,” she wrote with a vomit emoji on the post. “Leaving the families behind to ride out the direct line of cyclone alone. Some with no support at all. I’m 6 months pregnant with 2 young kids in an area that can flood, disgusting. Do better @nrl.”
She also made the point her home is prone to flooding but then deleted the post.
Sean O’Sullivan comes into the side to replace Nikorima while prop Josh Kerr is on the bench in place of Nicholls.
Concern for family members being left behind, and the fact their homes are in the firing line of the cyclone, were behind the players’ decisions to stay at home and not leave with the team on their flight to Sydney on Wednesday evening.
Their decision has the blessing of the club.
Nicholls was seen sandbagging his home on Wednesday. He has a young family and lives in the Redcliffe suburb of Newport, which is expected to feel the brunt of Cyclone Alfred when it hits land between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast on Friday morning.
The Dolphins and Rabbitohs showdown, originally slated for Suncorp Stadium, was shifted out of Brisbane to Sydney’s CommBank Stadium.
Brisbane and Dolphins club bosses have made moves to ensure the safety of staff and players’ families left behind.
The Broncos flew to Sydney on Tuesday to prepare for Thursday night’s NRL clash with Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium and are scheduled to return on Friday. Loved ones of players and staff from both clubs face nervous days.
Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy has flown back to the Queensland capital from Sydney to oversee support.
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Round 1 teams
All times AEDT
Roosters vs Broncos at Allianz Stadium: 8.00pm, Thursday March 6
Roosters: 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. Nat Butcher 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Siua Wong 16. Blake Steep 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Hugo Savala 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Ethan King 21. Junior Pauga 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Spencer Leniu is sitting out the first two rounds through suspension, but Roosters fans will see Cowboys veteran Chad Townsend linking with Sandon Smith in a new look halves.
Former Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase is set to start the season at centre, alongside debutant Robert Toia.
Chad Townsend. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Broncos: 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. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Martin Taupau 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Jaiyden Hunt
Ex-Dragons skipper Ben Hunt returns to his old club at five-eighth to kick start the season. He will partner with Adam Reynolds in the halves after he was cleared of a neck injury.
Payne Haas (ankle) was also under an injury cloud but has been named to play as a starting prop.
Cory Paix has won the race for the starting Broncos hooker position. A noted hard trainer, Paix said he hadn’t changed anything from last season when he was not selected for the entire year.
“I have still been the same player,” he said. “I have still done my extras. I have turned up with the same attitude I did last year and it has obviously got me in contention.
“It was very tough, but I feel like I am a strong person mentally, so that first and foremost got me through that situation. I had other things going on in my life too that I was really excited about. I finished my apprenticeship as a carpenter that took me nine years, doing one day a week. I’d started that at school.”
Wests Tigers vs Knights at Campbelltown Stadium: 6.00pm, Friday March 7
Wests Tigers: 1. Heath Mason 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tristan Hope 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Latu Fainu 19. Charlie Staines 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Reuben Porter
After sitting out the trials, star recruit Jarome Luai will play his first game as a Tiger, named as starting halfback alongside Lachie Galvin. The former Panther will captain the side with Api Koroisau missing through suspension.
Young fullback Jahream Bula is out due to a slower-than-expected recovery from shoulder surgery, and Heath Mason will start in the No.1 jersey.
Adam Doueihi and Solomona Faataape line up in the centres, with Justin Olam and Brent Naden both out with different knee injuries.
Knights: 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 18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce 20. Logan Aoake 21. Jackson Hastings 22. Adam Elliott
Adam O’Brien is again turning to another halves partnership, with Fletcher Sharpe will start at five-eighth alongside Jack Cogger. Tyson Gamble is missing from the squad entirely for the opening round.
Phoenix Crossland will move from the No.7 jersey to hooker, with Tyson Frizell switching from the second row to lock.
Dolphins vs Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium: 8.00pm, Friday March 7
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 20. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Josh Kerr 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai
Newly appointed captain Tom Gilbert makes his long-awaited NRL return at lock after missing last season through injury.
Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls and Kenny Bromwich have withdrawn from the squad to be with their families amid concerns about Cyclone Alfred with Sean O’Sullivan now partnering Isaiya Katoa in the halves.
Felise Kaufusi joins new signing Daniel Saifiti in the front row, after the former Knight was cleared of a hamstring injury.
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Salesi Ataata
Centre Campbell Graham has overcome a hand injury to return ahead of schedule, in a boost for Wayne Bennett’s men.
Jamie Humphreys teams with skipper Cody Walker in the halves, while Jye Gray will wear the fullback jersey with Latrell Mitchell nursing a torn hamstring.
Isaiah Taas and Tyrone Munro will line up on the wings.
Cody Walker is tackled. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Dragons vs Bulldogs at Jubilee Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday March 8
Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 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. Ryan Couchman 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart 18. Dylan Egan 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 22. Tom Eisenhuth
Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) comes into the side in the only change to the starting line-up from Shane Flanagan from the Charity Shield win over the Rabbitohs.
Jacob Liddle has returned on the bench, as star recruits, Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes, Lachlan Ilias and Damien Cook all ready and raring to go backing up from two impressive trial wins.
Bulldogs: 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. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jaeman Salmon 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Luke Smith 23. Ratu Rinakama
Cameron Ciraldo has named Kurt Mann at lock and Jaeman Salmon on the interchange bench in a slight change to the forward pack.
Marcelo Montoya returns to the club after his stint at the Warriors and starts on one wing with Blake Wilson on the other.
Sea Eagles vs Cowboys at 4 Pines Park: 7.35pm, Saturday March 8
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Dean Matterson 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Jakob Arthur 22. Josh Aloiai
The Sea Eagles have been given a boost with both Prop Taniela Paseka (shoulder) and winger Jason Saab (ankle) cleared to play in the opening round.
Former Warrior Jazz Tevaga has been named at hooker with Lachlan Croker out with a knee injury.
Cowboys: 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. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Jake Clifford 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Jason Taumalolo
Tom Duffy makes his NRL debut, partnering with Tom Dearden in the side’s new-look halves following Chad Townsend’s departure.
Braidon Burns has been named on the wing, with youngster Jaxon Purdue winning the vacant starting centre spot.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten told AAP that Purdue was “a high-end talent” and that former Australian Schoolboy star Duffy had “really gone for it” in the pre-season after being given a chance at winning the No.7 jersey.
“Duff has provided excellent direction for the team and he is a calm head under pressure,” Payten said.
“Jaxon is a five-eighth by trade and has time on his side. Wherever we roll him out in the season – whether it be fullback, centre, half or five-eighth – I will not be worried about any of those positions.”
John Bateman comes straight into the starting second row, after joining the club from the Tigers.
Jason Taumalolo has been named amongst the reserves as he continues his recovery from a Lisfranc injury.
Reuben Cotter celebrates with teammates. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Storm vs Eels at AAMI Park: 7.35pm, Sunday March 9
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 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. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan 21. Sua Fa’alogo 22. Kane Bradley
Melbourne stars Jahrome Hughes (neck), Xavier Coates (ankle) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle/knee) have been named to start in the season opener, after overcoming respective injuries. Cameron Munster has been named at five-eighth.
Stefano Utoikamanu makes his club debut in the front row, with Tui Kamikamica starts from the bench.
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jake Tago 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Charlie Guymer 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Jordan Samrani 20. Toni Mataele 21. Sam Tuivaiti 22. Joey Lussick
Ronald Volkman will start the year for Parramatta at halfback with Mitch Moses out with a foot injury.
“Mitch is experiencing soreness from a previous injury, we’re taking a cautious approach to ensure his foot heals properly and he can play his best football for the team,” Ryles said.
“We will continue to monitor Mitch’s recovery and make an assessment on a return date next week.”
Star recruit Zac Lomaz will make his club debut at centre, while prop Junior Paulo has overcome a Lisfranc injury and has been named captain for the opening round.
Isaiah Iongi has been named at fullback after the departure of Clint Gutherson to the Dragons.
with AAP
