Roosters v Broncos preview

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Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos Thursday 8:00pm at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal

Kicking off Round 1 back on Australian soil, the Brisbane Broncos travel south to take on the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

Trent Robinson's side looks a bit worse for wear, which is not an ideal way to start off a new season, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary's move to the Super League, along with injuries and suspensions for key players, Sam Walker, and Spencer Leniu. Despite this, they will be looking to prove the doubters wrong and start their season on a high note.

In 2024 the Roosters finished inside the top four, winning 16 and losing eight games for a well-rounded season, making it to preliminary finals, before losing to the Melbourne Storm to miss out at the chance at the coveted Premiership Trophy.

Chad Townsend makes his Roosters debut at halfback, paired with Sandon Smith at five-eighth. Robert Toia makes his debut in the centres, with Mark Nawaqawitanase joining him on the other side in just his second NRL game. Naufahu Whyte steps up into the starting side, replacing Waerea-Hargreaves, after playing 16/23 games in 2024 from the bench. The bench for the home side includes Salesi Foketi on debut and Blake Steep playing just his fourth NRL game.

The Broncos are sporting a new look side with their new coach, Michael Maguire. With old becoming new again, Ben Hunt has returned home to Brisbane after spending seven seasons at the Dragons. His pairing with Adam Reynolds makes them the oldest halves pairing in the competition, but I wouldn't let that stop them.

After a poor performance in 2024 after being minutes away from a seventh premiership in 2023, Brisbane are hungry for victory. Hopefully under a new coach, the star-studded line-up can produce consistent performances and effort.

Maguire has revealed a new-look side for the Broncos, with a plethora of changes to the starting 13 and bench options. Cory Paix returns to starting hooker after not playing a single NRL game in 2024, with Billy Walters playing from the bench. Pat Carrigan shifts to prop, with Kobe Hetherington taking his place in lock, whilst Jack Gosiewski starts in the second row, with Brendan Piakura slotting onto the bench. After joining the Broncos on a train-and-trial deal, Gehamat Shibasaki remarkably earns a starting spot as centre, due to Kotoni Staggs picking up a quad injury in the second trial match against the Bulldogs.

The odds are ever stacked in favour of the home side, with the Roosters winning five of their past six matches against the Broncos, though the Broncos have never played at the new Allianz Stadium and there's a first time for everything. 

Last meeting: Round 9 2024 - Broncos 18 Roosters 40

Who to watch: In a side filled with younger players and Roosters debutants, all eyes go towards experienced and senior playmaker, James Tedesco. Captaining the side for the fifth consecutive season, he brings just over 250 games of experience, having played in all but two games in 2024, scoring 17 tries and 24 try assists.

Though not all might agree, Ben Hunt brings a new sense of energy and life to the Broncos, stacked with over 300 games of experience and leadership. After a troublesome 2024, the Broncos are in desperate need for more guidance on the field, especially their younger stars, and Hunt could do just that. 

The favourite: Brisbane are favoured to start the season on a high and claim victory over the Roosters.

My tip: I can't really go past my own team for this one, they have an absolutely stacked starting side and bench, and we all know what these players can achieve, and I think paired with Maguire as the 2025 coach, they will be unstoppable. (Please don't make me eat my words @ Broncos). Brisbane by 18.

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 15. Siua Wong 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 17. Salesi Foketi 19. Taylor Losalu 18. Hugo Savala 22. Makahesi Makatoa

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Delouise Hoeter

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Chris Butler;