Tim Williams
SC Playbook founder, 2nd NRL 2020, 43rd BBL 21/22'
We run through every NRL squad to predicted their starting 17 for the 2025 season, including key pre-season battles at each club.
NRLWith the NRL pre-season well and truly underway, we’re closing in on the season opener for 2025.
We’ve had a crack at predicting the starting line-ups for every club in round 1.
If a player is suspended for one round or only expected to miss one game, we’ve included them in the team with a note on their availability.
Throughout the pre-season we’ll update our predicted teams daily as injuries hit, and players come in and out of contention with each trial fixture that passes.
Let us know in the comments at the bottom of the page if you agree or disagree with our line-ups.
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Unavailable: Blake Mozer (shoulder, TBC), Ezra Mam (suspended, round 10)
Analysis: Selwyn Cobbo is likely to shift to the right wing, pushing Deine Mariner into the centres.
A shoulder injury to rookie hooker Blake Mozer will see him miss at least the early stages of the season, meaning Billy Walters and Cory Paix will fight for the starting hooker spot which will be part of a rotation.
Pat Carrigan is likely to move into the front-row, with Kobe Hetherington starting at lock.
Jack Gosiewski is reportedly in contention to start in the back-row ahead of Brendan Piakura.
Fletcher Baker will compete with Ben Te Kura for the final bench spot.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Zac Hosking (calf, in doubt for round 1, scans to confirm)
Analysis: The Raiders have a host of different combinations at their disposal with a number of promising rookies on the way up.
Raiders Jersey Flegg player of the year Owen Pattie has impressed during the pre-season and will push both Tom Starling and Danny Levi for round 1 spots.
Chevy Stewart (fullback) and Ethan Sanders (halves) can also push their cases for round 1 starting spots with strong performances in the pre-season trials, granted it’d force a reshuffle in the spine.
If either did start, it’d like see Ethan Strange shift to centre which would create further backline movement.
The spine could look very different come the Las Vegas opener based on pre-season performances.
Zac Hosking is in doubt with a calf injury but is firming after being confirmed to travel to Vegas, with English recruit Matty Nicholson to start in the back-row if unavailable.
Albert Hopoate will miss the Vegas opener as he awaits the birth of his child, with Savelio Tamale likely to start on the wing for the Raiders.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Jacob Kiraz (Back, early season)
Analysis: Marcelo Montoya and Blake Wilson are fighting for the vacant wing spot of the departed Josh Addo-Carr long-term.
However, Phil Gould dropped a surprise by stating that Jacob Kiraz won’t feature for the Bulldogs at the start of the season.
Jaeman Salmon and Tom Amone will compete for the final bench spot.
The major watch will be the role of Sitili Tupouniua and where he’s injected.
I suspect he’ll enter the middle rotation, however he could give either of Jacob Preston or Viliame Kikau a spell and play on the edge which he’s done for the majority of his career.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Toby Rudolf (shoulder, early stages)
Analysis: Cronulla boast an extremely settled roster heading into round 1, with star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake slotting into the front-row in place of the injured Toby Rudolf.
Will Kennedy faces stiff competition from Kade Dykes and Liam Ison for the fullback role, but is expected to start the season at the back.
Nicho may wear the six, with Trindall in the seven.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Tom Flegler (shoulder, mid-season), Trai Fuller (knee, late season)
Analysis: There’s a few spots still up for debate at the Dolphins ahead of their season opener.
Jake Averillo is firming for a permanent shift to five-eighth, which may push Kodi Nikorima out of the 17 entirely.
This would leave a vacant centre spot, which would likely force a positional switch for either of Jack Bostock or Junior Tupou.
It remains to be seen which flyer would make the shift, however pre-season trial teams should tell the story.
Felise Kaufusi may make the permanent move to the middle this season with the arrival of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki who likely starts on the edge with Connelly Lemuelu.
Tom Gilbert may be eased back from an ACL injury from the bench, however strong trial performances may see him catapulted straight back into the starting team from round 1.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: David Fifita (ankle, in doubt for round 1), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (shoulder, in doubt for round 1), Carter Gordon (back, TBC)
Analysis: David Fifita and Reagan Campbell-Gillard are both in doubt for the opening round.
There’s some chat around Jayden Campbell starting in the halves with AJ Brimson, with Kieran Foran starting from the bench.
It makes little sense to me, but it’s certainly one worth monitoring as the pre-season unfolds.
It feels as though it’ll be a genuine shoot-out for backline positions at the Titans.
Rugby recruit Carter Gordon was flying on all reports and could play centre or halves, but with a plethora of options in all positions they may be tempted to continue his development through QLD Cup to begin the season.
Unfortunately a recent back injury has him in doubt to start the season.
If they want Campbell starting, Brimson could shift to centre but there becomes another headache in who drops out.
It’ll be a fascinating pre-season on the Gold Coast because there’ll be plenty of quality missing from the round 1 starting line-up.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Lachlan Croker (knee, round 4), Taniela Paseka (shoulder, in doubt for round 1)
Analysis: It’s a fairly settled line-up at Manly to begin the season.
Lachlan Croker’s recent injury will see Jake Simpkin and Gordan Chan Kum Tong fight for the starting hooker role.
Recruit Jazz Tevaga is likely to nab a bench spot and provide cover at number nine if required.
The other big battle will be for the final backline spot, with Tommy Talau and Lehi Hopoate likely competing for a spot on the wing.
Trial form will dictate who gets that nod, although Hopoate being named in the weak trial squad that faced the Bunnies suggests he may miss out.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension, round 3), Dean Ieremia (Achilles, late season), Xavier Coates (ankle, likely available in round 1), Christian Welch (retired)
Analysis: Barring any injury troubles, the Melbourne Storm side picks itself for round 1.
Recruit Stefano Utoikamanu will slot straight into prop in place of the suspended Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Kiwi rugby sevens convert Moses Leo is flying on all reports from down south and is putting series pressure on the current centre pairing leading into the season opener.
Christian Welch has announced his immediate retirement ahead of the season.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Rocco Berry (wrist, in doubt for round 1)
Analysis: There’s a battle for the fullback role between incumbent Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Taine Tuaupiki.
I expect CNK to get the start, if they did opt for Tuaupiki it could see Charnze shift to centre.
Promising rookie Ali Leiataua is expected to cement himself at centre in 2025.
Rocco Berry is in doubt for round 1, with Adam Pompey likely to start at centre.
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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will shift to the wing in place of the departed Marcelo Montoya.
Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin are the likely round 1 halves, however recruit Tanah Boyd may push Te Maire Martin to a utility bench role.
The Warriors are lacking a long kicking game which Boyd possesses.
The retirement of Tohu Harris will likely see Erin Clark start at lock, although Dylan Walker is also an option.
Jacob Laban is also pushing for a starting edge back-row role, with Jackson Ford moving into a middle role.
Impressive forward Leka Halasima could force his way onto the bench.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable:
Analysis: Fletcher Sharpe impressed at stages in the halves in the trial clash with the Eels.
He’s firming to start in the halves, likely alongside Jack Cogger or Tyson Gamble.
Will Pryce and Jackson Hastings add to the list of halves who remain in the running to start in round 1.
Aside from perhaps Mat Croker’s bench spot, the only other major question mark is who starts in the back-row.
Tyson Frizell is moving to the middle rotation in 2025, which will see Dylan Lucas and Kai Pearce-Paul start on the edges.
This will likely see Frizell and Adam Elliott fight for the starting lock role, with one to play big minutes off the bench.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Heilum Luki (ACL, season), Tom Chester (ACL, season), Jason Taumalolo (foot, chance for round 1)
Analysis: Departures of Valentine Holmes and Kyle Feldt opens roles for two outside backs.
Promising centre Zac Laybutt may return from injury through QLD Cup early in the season, which may open a spot for Jaxon Purdue.
Semi Valemei and rookie Robert Derby will square off in the pre-season trials to win the other spot.
The halfback spot is also up for grabs, with incumbent playmaker Jake Clifford facing competition from rookie Thomas Duffy who starred in the QLD Cup last season.
A recent hernia setback for Clifford will give Duffy every chance to propel himself into the No.7 jersey for round 1, while Purdue is also in the race for the halves.
Coen Hess will start at some stage, but he may be eased back from the bench on return from a lengthy ACL lay-off.
Jason Taumalolo is in doubt for round with a foot injury, with Harrison Edwards likely to deputise if required.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Josh Addo-Carr (suspension, round 5)
Analysis: Penrith recruit Isaiah Iongi is expected to fill the boots of Clint Gutherson at fullback, however he’s facing genuine competition from fellow recruit Joash Papali’i.
NSW Origin star Zac Lomax will return to the centres at his new club.
Brendan Hands and Joey Lussick are likely to share hooking duties, however coach Jason Ryles may opt for a sole hooker in 2025.
The edge back-row is a lottery, with Kelma Tuilagi, Bryce Cartwright, Shaun Lane and Ryan Matterson all options to start.
I believe they’ll go with Tuilagi and Cartwright, with Lane and Matterson utilised as middle forwards.
The partner to Junior Paulo in the front-row could be any number of options, from Joe Ofahengaue to Jack Williams to young gun Charlie Guymer.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable:
Analysis: The major battle at Penrith is the successor to Jarome Luai at five-eighth.
Eels recruit Blaize Talagi is a strong chance to get the nod, with Jack Cole and Brad Schneider also options.
The other question is in the back-row, Isaiah Papali’i is likely to come in and start on the edge, with Scott Sorensen to revert back to a middle role off the bench that he’s done successfully in the past.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Cameron Murray (wrist, expected to play round 1), Campbell Graham (in doubt for round 1), Cody Walker (calf, likely available round 1), Alex Johnston (Achilles, TBC), Euan Aitken (Pec, early season)
Analysis: Injuries will plague the start of the Rabbitohs season.
Latrell Mitchell is available for round 1 after the NRL confirmed the All Stars game will count towards his suspension.
With Euan Aitken injured, Keaon Koloamatangi will likely have to start on the edge.
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Campbell Graham is in major doubt for round 1 after injuring his hand at training.
From the time of injury in late January he’s set to miss four to six weeks which puts the time frame in line with the early rounds of the season.
Further, Cam Murray is well ahead of schedule from injury and is also expected to feature in round 1.
Englishman Lewis Dodd is the front-runner to start at halfback, however Manly recruit Jamie Humphreys has impressed at his new club and could easily find his way into the 17 for round 1.
If Dodd struggles in trials, Wayne Bennett won’t hesitate to catapult Humphreys into the starting team.
He could be utilised as the bench utility, however Siliva Havili can also cover the hooking role if required.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Ben Murdoch-Masila (lisfrac, round 3)
Analysis: Despite plenty of change to the Dragons line-up, the starting 17 appears fairly straight-forward.
Tyrell Sloan will need to prove himself defensively to win a starting berth on the wing.
Damien Cook will start at hooker, likely spending time at lock when Jacob Liddle is introduced.
The likes of Blake Lawrie, Michael Molo, Ryan Couchman and rookie Loko Pasifika Tonga will all come into contention for bench roles.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Sam Walker (ACL, late season), Brandon Smith, (ACL, late season)
Analysis: The Roosters boast a few new faces due to injuries to end 2024 and a few departures.
Sandon Smith and Chad Townsend are likely to form a new halves pairing with Luke Keary retired and Sam Walker injured.
Joey Manu’s vacant centre spot is up for grabs, with Mark Nawaqanitawase, Robert Toia and Junior Pauga all fighting to start.
It’ll be a genuine shoot-out in the pre-season trial fixtures.
Nat Butcher is likely to start on the edge, however Trent Robinson may opt to play Victor Radley there as per the majority of last season.
Egan Butcher is on track for round 1 after suffering an ACL injury last season, he’ll fight for bench spots alongside Blake Steep, Siua Wong and De La Salle Va’a.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnavailable: Api Koroisau (suspension, round 2)
Analysis: It’s a very new-look Tigers roster heading into the 2025 season after a big recruitment drive.
There’s spots up for grabs in the backline, with Sunia Turuva to either play centre or wing.
If at centre, it could force Justin Olam out of the team and create a wing role for Luke Laulilii.
If Turuva plays wing, Olam would likely start at centre.
Jack Bird is also able to play numerous positions, but recent reports suggest he’ll look to cement a lock role this season.
If that’s the case, it’ll likely see Alex Seyfarth start on the edge.
Jarome Luai had an injury scare at training but has been cleared of anything serious and is a chance to feature in the trials.
Latu Fainu and Tallyn Da Silva will battle for the utility bench role.
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