By Adrian Proszenko
New Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has been handed the toughest assignment in rugby league for his first game in charge of the western Sydney powerhouse.
The Eels will take on the Storm in Melbourne in their season opener as Ryles looks to rebuild Parramatta following a disastrous 2024 campaign in which they narrowly avoided the wooden spoon. Ryles goes up against his mentor, Craig Bellamy, who has overseen an extraordinary streak of 22 consecutive opening-round wins.
It will also be a baptism of fire for premiership-winning mentors Wayne Bennett and Michael Maguire, who have been handed tough away assignments when they take charge of their new teams.
The NRL has released the draw for the first round of the season, which will again kick off with a double-header in Las Vegas, before the spotlight returns to a raft of domestic blockbusters.
The Raiders will take on the Warriors on Sunday, March 2 (AEDT) at Allegiant Stadium, before the Panthers and Sharks begin their campaigns in the second iteration of the game’s bold foray into the United States.
The focus will then return to the game’s heartland with a blockbuster Roosters-Broncos clash in Sydney on Thursday, March 6. In an intriguing twist, both sides are pursuing former Dragons captain Ben Hunt, who could be an X-factor for the club that finally gets his signature.
The clash will mark Maguire’s first game in charge of the Broncos, who are looking to rebuild after a disappointing 2024 campaign that resulted in the sacking of coach Kevin Walters. It is also a new era for the Roosters, who will be without Luke Keary, Joseph Manu, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sitili Tupouniua.
The marquee match-up is a huge win for broadcasters Fox and Nine, who were pushing for a clash between two top interstate teams to maximise ratings.
Wests Tigers will roll out superstar signing Jarome Luai for the first time when they take on Newcastle in the early Friday night game. Luai won’t be the only new face in Benji Marshall’s side, with Royce Hunt, Sunia Turuva and Jack Bird all making their Tigers debuts.
The second Friday match is another anticipated interstate battle when the Dolphins host South Sydney. The schedule will result in Bennett immediately coming up against his former club and the man he mentored, Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf.
MItchell Moses and the Eels have been handed a tough start to their 2025 campaign.Credit: NRL Photos
St George Illawarra kick off the action on Saturday night against the Bulldogs. It will be the first chance for the Dragons to unveil their three big-name signings, Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook.
And then Manly, who sold out all but one of their home matches last season, host North Queensland. It could result in former Sea Eagle Jaxson Paulo immediately facing his former club.
The opening round concludes on Sunday when Parramatta take on the Storm.
It will be a new-look side for the Eels, who are minus Gutheron, Maika Sivo, Regan Campbell-Gillard and Blaize Talagi. Ryles’ side will be given an early litmus test when marquee man Zac Lomax, rookie fullback Isaiah Iongi and new recruit Jack Williams try to make their mark in blue and gold.
The Gold Coast Titans will have the bye first up. The venues, aside from Allegiant Stadium, are yet to be confirmed as the Dragons and Tigers still need to nominate their preferred grounds.
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