Plenty of off-season player movement and drama means the 17 NRL teams’ starting line-ups will look decidedly different to last year when the new season begins in March.
The suspension to Ezra Mam is likely to mean star recruit Ben Hunt coming in to partner Adam Reynolds in the Broncos halves, while reports suggest Michael Maguire is weighing up a surprise switch for another big-name star.
Meanwhile, an injury to Cameron Murray could see star recruit Josh Schuster begin his NRL comeback story in the Rabbitohs’ starting side, while there’s been a fascinating twist in the Gold Coast Titans’ backline selection race.
And Zac Lomax will be a part of a new-look Eels backline, but whether he plays on the wing or at centre remains to be seen.
Factoring in injuries, suspensions and roster moves, here’s how the teams could look for Round 1.
PANTHERS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papalii 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cole 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner
Analysis: Dylan Edwards will be the fullback when he returns form a shoulder injury, with Brian To’o, who returns from a knee injury in the trials joined by Casey McLean on the wing after Sunia Turuva’s departure to the Tigers. Izack Tago and Paul Alamoti are locks at centre provided the latter can overcome an elbow injury in time for Round 1. Nathan Cleary is racing the clock to be fit for Round 1 after shoulder surgery, with Brad Schneider waiting in the wings. Cleary will have a new halves partner for the first time in a long time, with former Eels player Blaize Talagi favoured to get the nod, provided he can return from a shoulder injury in time for Round 1. Moses Leota will be joined by Lindsay Smith in the front row after James Fisher-Harris’ departure to the Warriors, with Mitch Kenny at hooker. Former Tigers player Isaiah Papali’i joins Liam Martin, who returns from a shoulder injury in the trials and Isaah Yeo in the back row. Jack Cole is tipped to beat Schneider to the utility role and could be a smokey for Cleary’s halves partner when he returns from a leg injury in the trials. Veterans Scott Sorensen and Luke Garner are shifted to the bench with Liam Henry rounding out the forwards rotation.
STORM
Predicted Round 1 team: 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. Christian Welch 17. Tui Kamikamica
Analysis: Ryan Papenhuyzen will be the fullback, with Sualauvi Fa’alogo having to bide his time unless he can snag a bench spot or push for the centres. Will Warbrick returns from a thigh injury in the trials to partner Xavier Coates on the wing with Jack Howarth and Nick Meaney getting first crack in the centres. Cameron Munster returns from a groin injury in Round 1 to partner Jahrome Hughes, who is due back from a neck injury in the trials. Back-up half Jonah Pezet is also due back from a knee injury in the trials. Former Tigers star Stefano Utoikamanu joins Josh King in the front row with Nelson Asofa-Solomona suspended until Round 2 and skipper Harry Grant will be the hooker. Shawn Blore, Eliesa Katoa and Trent Loiero are locks in the back row. Tyran Wishart will be the utility, with Alec McDonald, Christian Welch and Tui Kamikamica rounding out the bench.
ROOSTERS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Naufahu Whyte 15. Siua Wong 16. De La Salle Va’a 17. Egan Butcher
Analysis: James Tedesco will be the fullback, with Daniel Tupou and Dominic Young on the wings. Billy Smith and Mark Nawaqanitawase will form a new look centre pairing with Joey Manu and Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii switching to rugby union, but the former could be back in Roosters colours by mid-season. Robert Toia will also push for a spot in the centres. Luke Keary’s switch to Catalans and Sam Walker’s long-term injury will see Sandon Smith partner new recruit Chad Townsend in the halves, after his switch form the Cowboys. Young halfback Jake Elliott will also push hard for selection at some point in the season. Spencer Leniu will start in the front row after Jared Warea-Hargreaves’ switch to Hull KR, with Lindsay Collins to partner him. Connor Watson fills in for the injured Brandon Smith at hooker. Angus Crichton and Nat Butcher will be in the second row, with Victor Radley at lock. Egan Butcher returns form an ACL injury on the bench alongside Naufahu Whyte, Siua Wong and De La Salle Va’a.
SHARKS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 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. Toby Rudolf 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Siosifa Talakai
Analysis: William Kennedy is set to get first crack at fullback but needs a big season in a contract year, while Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo, who returns from a knee injury are locks on the wing. Jesse Ramien (ankle) and Kayal Iro, who returns from a hamstring injury in the trials will be the centre pairing. Nicho Hynes is reportedly set to shift to No.6, with Braydon Trindall getting the keys to the team at halfback. Star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake comes into the front row alongside Oregon Kaufusi, with Blayke Brailey at hooker. Briton Nikora, who returns from an ankle injury in the trials, Teig Wilton and Cameron McInnes are locks in the back row. Daniel Atkinson will be the bench utility before moving to the Dragons in 2026, with Toby Rudolf, provided he can overcome a shoulder injury, Thomas Hazelton and Siosifa Talakai rounding out the bench. Tuku Hau Tapuha will replace Rudolf if he is not fit in time.
BRONCOS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Payne Haas 9. Billy Walters 10. Corey Jensen 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Xavier Willison
Analysis: The Courier Mail reports Michael Maguire is considering a big switch, with Queensland and Test star Pat Carrigan a chance to switch to the front row, allowing Kobe Hetherington to start at lock.Carrigan could form a feared front row partnership with Payne Haas in a move that would force Corey Jensen back to the bench after an impressive season. Reece Walsh will return from a hand injury at fullback in the trials. Selwyn Cobbo will start his second campaign at centre, but could be swapped with Deine Mariner depending on how new coach Michael Maguire wants to play. Cobbo was below his best at centre last season and may be more dangerous on the wing. Kotoni Staggs is a lock for the other centre role when he returns from a quad injury in the trials, while Jesse Arthars will be the other winger after Corey Oates’ retirement. With Ezra Mam suspended for nine games, star recruit Ben Hunt will start the season at five-eighth, alongside skipper Adam Reynolds at halfback, provided he can overcome a neck injury in time. Billy Walters will get first crack at hooker, but will be under pressure to deliver after Kevvie Walters’ sacking, while Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki and Carrigan are locked in as the back row, unless Carrigan switches to prop as has been reported. Blake Mozer has the potential to jump Tyson Smoothy into the bench utility role. Hetherington, Fletcher Baker and Xavier Willison, who returns from suspension in the trials, could round out the bench.
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