Following the completion of the opening round of the 2025 NRL season, several teams will look to change up their team, while others will enter Round 2 with the exact same line-up.
Adam Elliott (Newcastle Knights), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers), Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys), Tommy Talau (Manly Sea Eagles) and Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers) are just a few players that are set to be available for selection after missing Round 1.
However, while some return, the Dragons will be without a young forward after he sustained an ACL injury, the Rabbitohs are facing a back-line crisis and the Sydney Roosters are set to line-up with an inexperienced forward pack.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks
Named on the reserves for last week's match, Jason Taumalolo is set to return to the field for the first time this season, but it's hard to see who he will enter the team for.
Following a lacklustre performance in Round 1, coach Todd Payten may opt to make several other changes with the likes of Kai O'Donnell, Jake Clifford and Zac Laybutt missing out on selection last week.
"Some of our individuals were off the mark," Payten said post-match against the Manly Sea Eagles.
Predicted Round 2 team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Tom Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Jason Taumalolo 15. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess
Despite losing against the four-time reigning premiers Penrith Panthers to open up their 2025 campaign in Las Vegas, Craig Fitzgibbon is set to run it back with the same team.
In a massive bonus for the Sharks, they sustained no injuries or suspensions during their time in Vegas but rookie fullback Liam Ison sustained a suspected ACL rupture in the NSW Cup competition over the weekend.
Projected Round 2 team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sam Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Nicho Hynes 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10 Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton
