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.
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos
The Raiders have received a double blow for this week as they look to make it two consecutive victories after Joseph Tapine and Xavier Savage were both charged by the Match Review Committee (MRC) and decided to take an early guilty plea.
The decision from both of the players means they will be absent this week.
After not attending Las Vegas due to the birth of his child, Albert Hopoate will enter the squad for Savage, while Ricky Stuart is set to call upon a young forward to replace their club captain.
According to The Daily Telegraph, English import Matty Nicholson is set to make his debut off the interchange bench after joining from the Warrington Wolves in the off-season.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Josh Papalii 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Matty Nicholson 17. Ata Mariota
Coming off a dominant 50-14 victory against the Sydney Roosters, Michael Maguire is unlikely to make any changes to his team as Blake Mozer and Kotoni Staggs remain sidelined with injury and Ezra Mam is out with a suspension.
Projected Round 2 Team:Â 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 Walter 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura
