A blockbuster 'Battle of the Brookvale' clash between Manly and Melbourne on the first Sunday of the season will headline the opening round of the 2020 NRL draw, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Despite the official release of the NRL fixture set to come out on Tuesday, the report has revealed that Parramatta will host Canterbury in their first clash at Bankwest Stadium on Thursday night.

Incoming Titans coach Justin Hoolbrook will face off against Canberra at GIO Stadium on Friday night, with Brisbane and North Queensland meeting in the later Friday game at Townsville Stadium.

The 'Super Saturday' will feature Newcastle hosting the Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium in Adam O'Brien's first assignment, with clashes between South Sydney at Cronulla at ANZ Stadium and Penrith and the Roosters to follow.

St George Illawarra and the Wests Tigers will follow on from the Manly-Storm clash on Sunday to cap off the opening round.

Expected NRL 2020 opening round draw

Thursday, March 12

Eels v Bulldogs at Bankwest Stadium, 8.05pm

Friday, March 13

Raiders v Titans at GIO Stadium, 6pm

Cowboys v Broncos at Townsville Stadium, 8.05pm


Saturday, March 14

Knights v Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium, 3pm

Rabbitohs v Sharks at ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm

Panthers v Roosters at Panthers Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, March 15

Sea Eagles v Storm at Lottoland, 4.05pm

Dragons v Tigers at WIN Stadium, 6.15pm

7 COMMENTS

  3. “Eels v Bulldogs season opener is absolutely dreadful. What a bore-fest!”
    Eels v Dogs.
    One of the best rivalries in the NRL at the best stadium in the NRL with 2 teams who don’t get preferential treatment from the refs.
    Definitely match of the round.
    What more could you want Vjayjay R?
    Now a Storm or Roosters game would be a real bore-fest.

  4. Fantastic that the Roosters will not have to thrash the South of Sydney Rabbit team straight off the bat. However looks like the confidence will be knocked out of those soft Penrith dud home grown locals by the dual back2back Premiers. Undoubtably a battle between Penrith, Souths and Saints for the Spoon in 2020.

  5. So you admit that they’re home grown locals. Good to see.
    Pity you can’t say the same thing for the Easten Suburbs Blow ins. 👍

  6. Parramatta don’t get the refs decisions.,at bankwest you’re kidding.
    And I’m glad it it something different than Souths and easts in round 1,it gets a bit boring watching them play every year in r 1.

  7. What home Grown locals Twentyone/EastOfDivide???
    Half of Penriths hopeless locals are not born & bred in the district. I suppose you think your all time favorite overrated half Cleary is a home grown also?
    Are you guys still drafting in those “spacemen” from Parkes & claim they are born and bred like that reserve grader running around in the NRL. Binns or Burns or something like that.???????????????????? I will retrain from picking through the rest of the team. Otherwise I shall be here all night. Alas you stooge, I a.m tired and need to sleep. Just like Penriths defence this year sleepy.

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