TEAMS FOR ROUND 01 ANNOUNCED

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne fails to recover from injury & will miss the clash against the Broncos, who name Corey Norman as five-eighth.  Elsewhere, Canberra welcome back new skipper Terry Campese, Canterbury Bulldogs include UK import James Graham, and Todd Carney is in for Cronulla Sharks for their big clash against the Wests Tigers.

TEAMS FOR ROUND 01

THURSDAY

Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons at Hunter Stadium, 7:30pm  #NRLNEWSTI

KNIGHTS: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Wes Naiqama, Timana Tahu, Akuila Uate, Kurt Gidley (c), Jarrod Mullen, Kade Snowden, Danny Buderus, Adam Cuthbertson, Chris Houston, Zeb Taia, Neville Costigan. Reserves: Matt Hilder, Richie Fa’aoso, Joel Edwards, Alex McKinnon.

Player to Watch: Danny Buderus

DRAGONS: Kyle Stanley, Brett Morris, Beau Scott, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby (c), Jeremy Latimore, Mitch Rein, Michael Weyman, Matt Prior, Ben Creagh, Dean Young. Interchange: Nathan Fien, Leeson Ah Mau, Trent Merrin, Jack de Belin

Player to Watch: Kyle Stanley

Who are you tipping?

- Newcastle has lost at home in the first round only once since 1993

- The Dragons have won 11 of 13 matches at Hunter Stadium (undefeated since '03)

- 9 of the Dragons last 10 opening round fixtures have been decided by single figures

Last Time They Met

FRIDAY

Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos at Parramatta Stadium, 7:30pm #NRLPARBRI

EELS: Luke Burt, Ken Sio, Esi Tonga, Ryan Morgan, Cheyse Blair, Ben Roberts, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Mitchell Allgood, Nathan Hindmarsh, Taniela Lasalo Justin Horo. Interchange (from): Casey  McGuire, Fuifui Moimoi, Justin Poore, Reni Maitua, Taulima Tautai

Player to Watch: Ben Roberts

BRONCOS: Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday (c), Alex Glenn, Ben Te'o, Corey Parker. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett, Scott Anderson.

Player to Watch: Corey Norman

Who are you tipping?

- Brisbane have a better record at Parramatta Stadium than they do at home (71%)

- The past 3 games between Brisbane and the Eels at home have been decided by a combined 15pts 

- Nathan Hindmarsh has faced Brisbane more times than any other opponent (25)

Last Time They Met

SATURDAY

Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium, 5:30pm #NRLCANMEL

RAIDERS: Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Shaun Berrigan, Reece Robinson, Terry Campese (c), Josh McCrone, David Shillington, Travis Waddell, Learoyd-Lahrs, Josh Papalii , Bronson Harrison , Shaun Fensom. Reserves (from): Glen Buttriss, Joel Thompson, Dane Tilse, Brett White, Trevor Thurling

Player to Watch: Terry Campese

STORM: Billy Slater, Matt Duffie, Dane Nielsen, Justin O'Neill, Anthony Quinn, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Sika Manu, Ryan Hoffman, Todd Lowrie. Reserves (from): Ryan Hinchcliffe, Kevin Proctor, Siosaia Vave, Michael Greenfield, Sisa Waqa, Rory Kostjasyn

Player to Watch: Ryan Hoffman

Who are you tipping?

- Melbourne has won 17 of their past 19 games against the Raiders

- Last season Canberra endured their worst ever home season (4-8)

- Billy Slater remains one try shy of 500 career points

Last Time They Met

Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Centrebet Stadium, 7:30pm #NRLPENCBY

PANTHERS: Lachlan Coote, David Simmons, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, Michael Gordon, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Sam McKendry, Kevin Kingston, Tim Grant, Luke Lewis (c), Cameron Ciraldo, Nathan Smith. Interchange: Dayne Weston, Chris Armit, Nafe Seluini, Clint Newton, Blake Austin, Danny Galea

Player to Watch: Nathan Smith

BULLDOGS: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Josh Morris, Jonathan Wright, Bryson Goodwin, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (c), Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Dene Halatau, David Stagg. Interchange (from): James Graham, Greg Eastwood, Corey Payne, Joel Romelo, Kris Keating, Martin Taupau

Player to Watch: Josh Reynolds

Who are you tipping?

- Penrith has won 9 of their last 12 games against the Bulldogs (4 by 20pts or more)

- Penrith has scored more tries against the Bulldogs at Centrebet Stadium than any other opponent (138)

- During their playing careers Des Hasler won 5 of 6 games when opposing Ivan Cleary

Last Time They Met

North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 8:30pm #NRLNQLGLD

COWBOYS: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston (c), Ray Thompson, Matthew Scott (c), Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall. Dallas Johnson. Interchange (from):James Segeyaro, Scott Bolton, Jason Taumalolo, Ashton Sims

Player to Watch: Johnathan Thurston

TITANS:  William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Jamal Idris, Dominique Peyroux, David Mead, Jordan Rankin, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Kayne Lawton, Nate Myles, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange (from):  Luke Douglas, Matt White, Ben Ridge, Matt Srama, Luke O'Dwyer

Player to Watch: Jordan Rankin

Who are you tipping?

- North Queensland has won only 5 of 15 first round fixtures 

- Gold Coast has lost 7 of their past 8 games against Queensland based opponents

- Matt Bowen requires 7 more for 500 career points

Last Time They Met

SUNDAY

Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles at Eden Park, 2:00pm #NRLWARMAN

WARRIORS: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Konrad Hurrell, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Russell Packer, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (c), Elijah Taylor. Interchange (from): Lewis Brown, Sione Lousi, Ben Henry, Ukuma Ta'ai, Glen Fisiiahi, Krisnan Inu, Alehana Mara.

Player to Watch: Konrad Hurrell

SEA EAGLES:  Brett Stewart, Michael Oldfield, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Tony Williams, Glenn Stewart. Interchange (from): Jamie Buhrer, Vic Mauro, Darcy Lussick, George Rose, Jorge Taufua

Player to Watch: Tony Williams

Who are you tipping?

- The previous seasons’ Grand Finalists will open the following season for the first time since 1992

- The Warriors have won only 2 of their past 10 clashes against the Sea Eagles 

- The Warriors have never held Manly to single figures

Last Time They Met (2011 NRL GRAND FINAL)

Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks at Leichhardt Oval, 2:00pm #NRLWSTCRO

TIGERS: James Tedesco, Beau Ryan, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Tim Moltzen, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Adam Blair, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange (from): Liam Fulton, Matt Groat, Matt Bell, Tom Humble, Joel Reddy

Players to Watch: James Tedesco

SHARKS: Nathan Gardner, Stewart Mills, Ben Pomeroy, Colin  Best, Matthew Wright, Wade Graham, Todd Carney, Bryce Gibbs, Isaac  De Gois, Ben Ross, Jeremy  Smith, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen (c). Reserves (from): Andrew  Fifita, Sam Tagataese, John Morris, Mark Taufua, Jayson  Bukuya, Jon Green

Player to Watch: Todd Carney

Who are you tipping?

- The Tigers have won 8 of their past 9 games at Leichhardt Oval

- Cronulla has defeated the Tigers only once in their past 13 clashes

- Benji Marshall scores more tries against Cronulla than any other opponent (7 from 9)

Last Time They Met

MONDAY

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7:00pm #NRLSOUSYD

RABBITOHS: Dylan Farrell, Matt King, Shaune Corrigan, Greg Inglis, Nathan Merritt, John Sutton, Adam Reynolds, Sam Burgess, Nathan Peats, Roy Asotasi, Dave Taylor, Eddy Pettybourne, Michael Crocker. Interchange (from): Dave Tyrell, Chris McQueen, Scott Geddes, Jason Clark, Necron Areaiiti, Fetuli Talanoa

Player to Watch: Adam Reynolds

ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Justin Carney, Joseph Leilua, Mitchell Aubusson, Sam Perrett, Braith Anasta (c), Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Lama Tasi, Aidan Guerra, Boyd Cordner, Frank-Paul Nuuausala. Interchange (from): Tinirau Arona, Mose Masoe, Martin Kennedy, Daniel Mortimer, Anthony Mitchell, Peni Tagive

Players to Watch: Boyd Cordner

Who are you tipping?

The Roosters have won 23 of their past 30 games against the Rabbitohs

Only 49pts separates the teams from 203 previous encounters

The Roosters have lost 7 of their last 8 games at ANZ Stadium

Last Time They Met