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.
Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers
The Eels will still be without the experienced trio of Mitchell Moses, Bailey Simmonsson and Shaun Lane as they remain on the sidelines but could receive Ryan Matterson back after he was a late omission on the weekend.
Matterson's potential return will see either Matt Doorey or rookie Sam Tuivaiti drop off the interchange bench with the latter the likey choice.
Projected Round 2 team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Will Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jake Tago 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Charlie Guymer
The Wests Tigers will receive two significant boosts for this week as Jahream Bula (shoulder) returns from injury and co-captain Apisai Koroisau makes his return from suspension.
Their inclusion will see Heath Mason and Tristan Hope drop out of the team, while Tallyn Da Silva keeps his spot on the interchange bench.
Benji Marshall has options to switch up his backline with Charlie Staines and Starford To'a both available for this week.
Projected Round 2 Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu
