Preview of Round 1 matches in the NRL (all times AEST):
THURSDAY, March 14
Melbourne v Brisbane at AAMI PARK, 19:50
Head to head: Storm 31 Broncos 13, Draw 1
Last clash: Round 14 2018 – Storm 32 bt Broncos 16 at AAMI Park.
A new beginning for both teams with Brisbane now under new coach Anthony Seibold and Melbourne without retired superstar Billy Slater. The Storm failed to impress in their two trials, with ball handling still a major concern. However, Craig Bellamy is a round one specialist with the Storm stunningly never losing one on his watch.
Key: While Jahrome Hughes will wear Billy Slater’s fullback jersey it will be up to five-eighth Cameron Munster to step to show more leadership.
Tip: Storm
FRIDAY, March 15
Newcastle v Cronulla at McDonald Jones Stadium, 18:00
Head to head: Knights 28 Sharks 24 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 24 2018 – Cronulla 38 bt Newcastle 12 at Southern Cross Group Stadium
It’s a new era with John Morris taking the reins from banned Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan. Shaun Johnson has come into the halves with Matt Moylan shifting to fullback. With Luke Lewis retired and Wade Graham injured, Briton Nikora gets a debut in the second-row. The Knights are expected to do big things this year with Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce in the halves.
Key: Dave Klemmer. He averaged 175m last year – the second most of any forward and has been tasked with leading the Newcastle pack.
Tip: Sharks
Sydney Roosters v South Sydney at SCG, 19:55
Head to head: Roosters 101 Rabbitohs 113 drawn 5
Last clash: Preliminary final 2018 – Roosters 12 bt Rabbitohs 4 at Allianz Stadium
The game’s two greatest rivals clash at rugby league’s oldest ground. Numerous sub-plots surround their first meeting at the SCG since 1993, including Souths’ first game under Wayne Bennett and Rooster Angus Crichton’s maiden clash with his old club. The tri-colours are favourites to go back-to-back but there will be few tougher challenges than the Rabbitohs first up.
Key: Can Greg Inglis handle Latrell Mitchell out wide? Plenty of questions have been asked about the 32-year-old’s fitness.
Tip: Roosters
SATURDAY, March 16
Warriors v Bulldogs at Mt Smart Stadium, 15:00
Head to head: Warriors 14 Bulldogs 21 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 23 2018 – Bulldogs 27 bt Warriors 26 at ANZ Stadium
Life without Shaun Johnson and Simon Mannering begins at home against a Bulldogs team many are tipping for the wooden spoon. The Warriors will need rookie half Adam Keighran to settle quickly. Keighran’s opposite Kieran Foran could hold the key as he returns to Auckland for the first time since his vexed 2017 season at the Warriors.
Key: Blake Green: The veteran must nurture a debut halves partner in Keighran and a raw hooker in Nathaniel Roache.
Tip: Warriors
Wests Tigers v Manly at Leichhardt Oval, 17:30
Head to head: Tigers 12 Sea Eagles 15
Last clash: Round 24 2018 – Wests Tigers 22 bt Sea Eagles 20 at Campbelltown Stadium
Michael Maguire takes over and will look to emulate last season’s fast start when the Tigers won five of their first six. Manly also have a new coach with Des Hasler back in the hot seat. The Tigers are missing new skipper Moses Mbye (knee) with Corey Thompson starting at fullback. Brendan Elliot will step in for injured Eagles No.1 Tom Trbojevic. Ex-Titan Kane Elgey joins Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.
Key: Manly are lacking some x-factor with Trbojevic and centre Dylan Walker out so they will need their forwards more than ever to get the job done.
Tip: Tigers
North Queensland v St George Illawarra at 1300Smiles Stadium, 19:35
Head to head: Cowboys 15 Dragons 15
Last clash: Round 19 2018 – Dragons 24 bt Cowboys 10 at 1300Smiles Stadium
Two teams who endured their share of off-field drama in the summer go head-to-head. As well as the floods in North Queensland, Cowboys recruit Ben Barba had his contract ripped up. Ex-Bronco Jordan Kahu will don the No.1 jersey while Michael Morgan replaces Johnathan Thurston as key playmaker. Ex-Broncos Corey Norman and Ben Hunt are the Dragons’ new halves, with Gareth Widdop moving to fullback. Jack de Belin’s unavailability has Tyson Frizell shifting to lock.
Key: The Cowboys forward pack. Matt Scott, Jason Taumalolo, Gavin Cooper, Coen Hess and Brock McLean will give North Queensland plenty of grunt through the middle.
Tip: Cowboys
SUNDAY, March 17
Penrith v Parramatta at Panthers Stadium, 14:05
Head to head: Panthers 47 Eels 63 drawn 3
Last clash: Round 5 2018 – Panthers 12 bt Eels 6 at ANZ Stadium
Ivan Cleary makes his anticipated return, however that has been overshadowed by the sex tape scandal that has engulfed the Panthers and resulted in the standing down of Tyrone May. Dylan Edwards makes his long-awaited comeback from injury. It’s been a far less dramatic summer for the Eels, who are relying on youngsters Dylan Brown and Reed Mahoney to lift last year’s wooden spooners. Blake Ferguson also makes his club debut.
Key: The Panthers were dusted up 20-0 by the Eels in a trial and another defeat would instantly put Ivan Cleary under pressure.
Tip: Panthers
Gold Coast v Canberra at Cbus Super Stadium, 16:10
Head to head: Titans 10 Raiders 12 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 9 2018 – Raiders 32 bt Titans 18 at GIO Stadium
Gold Coast have recruited better than most to build expectations after a dismal two years. Coach Garth Brennan is hoping Tyrone Peachey, Brian Kelly and former Raider Shannon Boyd can make an immediate impact. Canberra enter the season with a different, lighter forward pack in the hope of returning to finals action. The clubs clashed in round one last year, with the Titans pulling off an insane comeback after the Raiders led by 18 points.
Key: How will former fullback Jack Wighton slot into the halves with Aidan Sezer? They will come up against a lethal opposing halves combination in Tyrone Roberts and Ash Taylor.
Tip: Titans