NRL Team Lists: Round 1

Eels: Bailey Simonsson has recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered in the grand final while Waqa Blake (arm), Matt Doorey (ankle) and Bryce Cartwright (jaw) have also been named but Shaun Lane (broken jaw), Nathan Brown (hamstring) and Ryan Matterson (suspension) are sidelined. Doorey is part a new-look back row combination that includes former Panther J'maine Hopgood while ex-Raider Josh Hodgson plays his first game NRL game for the club at hooker. Former Warrior Jack Murchie has earned a spot on the interchange alongside another recruit in Jirah Momoisea.

Storm: Plenty of changes for Craig Bellamy's side with Ryan Papenhuyzen unavailable for at least eight weeks of the competition and several key departures including Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi. Winger Will Warbrick and second-rower Trent Loiero have been rewarded for strong trial form with starting spots. Tyran Wishart is the bench utility, joined on interchange by the versatile Chris Lewis, late bloomer Jordan Grant and youngster Alec MacDonald. Veterans Tariq Sims (calf) and Tepai Moeroa (toe) are both sidelined.

Warriors v Knights, Friday 6pm at Sky Stadium, Wellington

Warriors: Star recruits Marata Niukore, Dylan Walker, Mitch Barnett, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Te Maire Martin headline a new-look Warriors team. Centre Brayden Wiliame has been named to play his first NRL game since round 18, 2021 following a stint in French rugby. Former Dragon Jackson Ford makes his club debut in the back row alongside Niukore.

Knights: After playing just 40 minutes at five-eighth during the Pre-Season Challenge, Kalyn Ponga steps out in the No.6 at NRL level for the first time since round 3, 2019. Ponga teams with new recruit Jackson Hastings in the halves and Lachlan Miller makes his club debut at fullback. Centre Dane Gagai (hamstring) will miss the game, his place taken by Enari Tuala, who has recovered from a pectoral injury. Adam Elliott (ankle) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) are good to go on the bench. Phoenix Crossland has grabbed the No.14 role and former Bronco Tyson Gamble is listed among the reserves.

Panthers v Broncos, Friday 8.05pm at BlueBet Stadium

Panthers: World Cup winner Liam Martin (knee) and Clive Churchill Medalist Dylan Edwards (hamstring) are both good to go for the season opener. Eleven members of the starting 13 from last year's grand final will line up against the Broncos. The season-ending injury to Taylan May sees Sunia Turuva start on the wing in Round 1 and permanently if he can cement the spot in the early rounds. Former Tiger Luke Garner takes over from Viliame Kikau on the left edge while Soni Luke gets the bench utility spot to partner Mitch Kenny at hooker.

Broncos: Kevin Walters has a relatively settled 17 for the club's season opener with the exception of fullback Reece Walsh, who is nursing a fractured eye socket. Selwyn Cobbo moves to fullback and Jesse Arthars comes onto the wing in his return to the club after a season with the Warriors. Cory Paix's impressive start to the year has earned him a spot on the bench alongside Keenan Palasia, Thomas Flegler and Martin Taupau in his Broncos debut.

Sea Eagles v Bulldogs, Saturday 3pm at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic has passed a final fitness test and will line up for his first game since May last year in a massive boost to the Sea Eagles. Kaeo Weekes was impressive at fullback in the Pre-season Challenge and will fill the utility role off the bench. The absence of first-choice five-eighth Josh Schuster (calf) will see Cooper Johns partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves in his first NRL game for the club. Centre Brad Parker is good to go despite suffering a broken nose against the Roosters a fortnight ago. Jake Trbojevic has been named at prop and Josh Aloiai on the bench. 

Bulldogs: Forward Luke Thompson injured his ankle at training on Tuesday and has been ruled out of the opening game. Fa'amanu Brown takes over at lock, continuing his career revival after 13 games at Wests Tigers last year. In the middle, Max King and Ryan Sutton are the starting props with former Shark Franklin Pele and youngster Jayden Tanner coming off the bench. Big-name signings Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney will be unveiled but the pack will be without Tevita Pangai Junior (calf) for at least three games. Hayze Perham gets the nod at fullback despite being below his best in the clash with the Sharks in the Pre-Season Challenge.

Cowboys v Raiders, Saturday 5.30pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: James Tamou plays his first game for the Cowboys since 2016 when he lines up on the interchange on Saturday. Forward Coen Hess is set to fill the vacant left second-row spot after two years playing almost exclusively as a middle forward. Hess' inclusion for the departed Tom Gilbert is the only change to the starting 13 from last year's preliminary final against the Eels. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown has overcome a rib injury sustained in the NRL All Stars game earlier this month to take his spot on the bench.

Raiders: Seb Kris has been given the job at fullback to replace Xavier Savage (broken jaw) with Jordan Rapana on the wing. Harley Smith-Shields returns to the NRL for the first time since 2021 in the centres. Prop Josh Papalii is out with a slight calf strain and his place is taken by Pasami Saulo in his first game for the club. After starting at No.9 during the Pre-Season Challenge, Huddersfield recruit Danny Levi makes his Green Machine debut at hooker. Tom Starling fills the impact hooker position on the bench. 

Sharks v Rabbitohs, Saturday 7.35pm at PointsBet Stadium

Sharks: Halfback Nicho Hynes is out with a calf injury, his place taken by Braydon Trindall. Former Eel Oregon Kaufusi makes his club debut off the bench after four seasons and 72 games at Parramatta. Prop Royce Hunt is out with an elbow injury so Braden Hamlin-Uele will start and Jack Williams joins the bench.

Rabbitohs: Winger Taane Milne has one game to serve on a suspension with Izaac Tu'itupou Thompson set to take his place. Hame Sele is out with a calf injury suffered during the Pre-Season Challenge. Livewire utility Blake Taaffe is in line for the No.14 jersey and Shaquai Mitchell's powerful Charity Shield performance has won him a spot in the bench for the fourth NRL appearance of his career. Jai Arrow returns to the starting side after coming from the bench in the Charity Shield and Jacob Host drops out.

Dolphins v Roosters, Sunday 4.05m at Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins: Young gun Isaiya Katoa has won the battle for the No.6 jersey in Wayne Bennett's inaugural Dolphins team, with veteran playmaker Anthony Milford named on the extended bench. Skipper Jesse Bromwich leads a forward pack that includes his brother Kenny and fellow Storm recruit Felise Kaufusi as well as Tom Gilbert and Jarrod Wallace. Former Eel Ray Stone has been named on the bench for his first game since suffering an ACL injury in round three last year while prop Herman Ese'ese is good to go after hurting his elbow during the trials. Katoa's teammate from Penrith's Jersey Flegg premiership-winning side, Kurt Donoghue, has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench.

Roosters: Star centre Joey Manu is out after suffering a facial fracture during pre-season training while fellow Kiwi Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (back) is also sidelined. Former Bulldog Corey Allan takes over in the centres alongside Joseph Suaalii. Five-eighth Luke Keary has overcome a jaw injury to take his place in the halves with Sam Walker. Star signing Brandon Smith will play his first NRL game for the Tricolours at hooker and Drew Hutchison is the back-up dummy half in No.14. World Cup winner Angus Crichton (personal leave) is out with Egan Butcher to start on an edge. 

Wests Tigers v Titans, Sunday 6.15pm at Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers: Halfback Luke Brooks (calf) has been named to play alongside star recruits Api Koroisau, David Klemmer and Isaiah Papali'i. Another big name signing, John Bateman, has only recently arrived from England and will be rested in round one. Centre Tommy Talau and second-rower Shawn Blore make their returns after missing the entire 2021 season due to ACL injuries. Veteran Ken Maumalo's knee injury opens the door for ex-Panther Charlie Staines to start on the wing after playing in both pre-season games.

Titans: Star recruit Kieran Foran joins Tanah Boyd in the halves, AJ Brimson starts at fullback and former Rooster Sam Verrills rounds out the spine at hooker. Flyer Alofiana Khan-Pereira makes his NRL debut on the wing on the back of a four-try haul in the Pre-Season Challenge win over the Dolphins. Jayden Campbell will bring impact from the bench in No.14 while Erin Clark, Moeaki Fotuaika and Joe Stimson round out the interchange. Chris Randall (hamstring) has been named among the extended reserves.