We know which teams will face off in Round 1, 2015, but how will they look? Here's our early guess at the likely team lists to kick off the new season.
Broncos v Rabbitohs - Thursday March 5, 7.05pm (local), Suncorp Stadium
Broncos
1 Jordan Kahu2 Lachlan Maranta
3 Dale Copley
4 Justin Hodges
5 Daniel Vidot
6 Anthony Milford
7 Ben Hunt
8 Josh McGuire
9 Andrew McCullough
10 Adam Blair
11 Matt Gillett
12 Sam Thaiday
13 Corey Parker
Interchange:
14 Mitchell Dodds
15 Alex Glenn
16 James Gavet
17 Todd Lowrie
Coach: Wayne Bennett
Rabbitohs
1 Greg Inglis2 Alex Johnston
3 Dylan Walker
4 Bryson Goodwin
5 Joel Reddy
6 Luke Keary
7 Adam Reynolds
8 George Burgess
9 Issac Luke
10 David Tyrrell
11 Chris McQueen
12 John Sutton (c)
13 Glenn Stewart
Interchange:
14 Jason Clark
15 Ben Lowe
16 Tim Grant
17 Tom Burgess
Coach: Michael Maguire
With Darius Boyd sidelined and Justin Hodges reluctant to take the role on a full-time basis, Jordan Kahu looks set to be handed first shot at the vacant fullback spot with star recruit Anthony Milford pairing with Ben Hunt in the halves and Adam Blair slotting into the front row.
New South Sydney signing Glenn Stewart has some big shoes to fill at lock after the departure of Sam Burgess, while Tim Grant is likely to come off the bench and Bryson Goodwin replaces the suspended Kirisome Auva'a at centre.
Eels v Sea Eagles - Friday March 6, 7.45pm (local), Pirtek Stadium
Eels
1 Will Hopoate2 Semi Radradra
3 Brad Takairangi
4 Ryan Morgan
5 Reece Robinson
6 Corey Norman
7 Chris Sandow
8 Tim Mannah (c)
9 Nathan Peats
10 Junior Paulo
11 Manu Ma'u
12 Anthony Watmough
13 Joseph Paulo
Interchange:
14 Isaac De Gois
15 Tepai Moeroa
16 Darcy Lussick
17 David Gower
Coach: Brad Arthur
Sea Eagles
1 Brett Stewart2 Peta Hiku
3 Jamie Lyon (c)
4 Steve Matai
5 David Williams
6 Kieran Foran
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Willie Mason
9 Matt Ballin
10 Brenton Lawrence
11 Justin Horo
12 Feleti Mateo
13 Jamie Buhrer
Interchange:
14 Tom Symonds
15 Josh Starling
16 Jesse Sene-Lefao
17 Dunamis Lui
Coach:Geoff Toovey
Will Hopoate gets the nod to replace Jarryd Hayne at fullback, with Brad Takairangi just pipping Beau Champion to the vacant centre spot. Former Raider Reece Robinson slots in on the wing. The pack will be boosted by the return of Nathan Peats and the arrival of Anthony Watmough, while Kenny Edwards is out for the long term with an ACL injury.
With no Watmough or Glenn Stewart Manly are set to play new man Feleti Mateo in the back row, while Willie Mason lines up at prop. Luke Burgess may slot onto the bench after signing from South Sydney. David Williams replaces the injured Jorge Taufua (knee) on the wing, but they still boast the most formidable-looking backline in the competition.
Knights v Warriors - Saturday March 7, 4.30pm (local), Hunter Stadium
Knights
1 Kurt Gidley (c)2 Akuila Uate
3 Joseph Leilua
4 Dane Gagai
5 James McManus
6 Jarrod Mullen
7 Tyrone Roberts
8 Kade Snowden
9 Adam Clydsdale
10 David Fa'alogo
11 Robbie Rochow
12 Beau Scott
13 Jeremy Smith
Interchange:
14 Tyler Randell
15 Korbin Sims
16 Jack Stockwell
17 Chris Houston
Coach: Rick Stone
Warriors
1 Sam Tomkins2 Solomone Kata
3 Ngani Laumape
4 Konrad Hurrell
5 Manu Vatuvei
6 Chad Townsend
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Jacob Lillyman
9 Nathan Friend
10 Ben Matulino
11 Ryan Hoffman
12 Simon Mannering (c)
13 Sebastine Ikahihifo
Interchange:
14 Suaia Matagi
15 Sam Rapira
16 Ben Henry
17 Thomas Leuluai
Coach: Andrew McFadden
The rise of Kangaroo Sione Mata'utia and the versitility of skipper Kurt Gidley mean the Knights have a lot of options in the backline but the captain has expressed his desire to return to fullback so Mata'utia is likely to battle Joseph Leilua for a centre spot. New signing Tariq Sims is supended for the first month of the competition while Carlos Tuimavave is battling an ankle injury, so Tyler Randell gets the utility spot on the bench.
Premiership-winning second-rower Ryan Hoffman slots into the forward pack in what is an otherwise familiar-looking first 17, albeit one boosted by New Zealand's recent Four Nations triumph. Injuries to Glen Fisiiahi and David Fusitu'a have opened up a wing spot for either Ken Maumalo or impressive rookie Solomone Kata. After leading the Kiwis to glory the next challenge for Shaun Johnson is to steer the Warriors into a finals series.
Titans v Wests Tigers - Saturday March 7, 6pm (local), Cbus Super Stadium
Titans
1 Josh Hoffman2 Anthony Don
3 William Zillman
4 James Roberts
5 David Mead
6 Aidan Sezer
7 Daniel Mortimer
8 Luke Douglas
9 Beau Falloon
10 David Hala
11 David Taylor
12 Greg Bird
13 Nate Myles (c)
Interchange:
14 Kierran Moseley
15 Ryan James
16 Matthew White
17 Mark Ioane
Coach: Neil Henry
Wests Tigers
1 James Tedesco2 Kevin Naiqama
3 Chris Lawrence
4 Tim Simona
5 Pat Richards
6 Mitchell Moses
7 Luke Brooks
8 Aaron Woods
9 Robbie Farah (c)
10 Keith Galloway
11 Curtis Sironen
12 Sitaleki Akauola
13 Dene Halatau
Interchange:
14 Martin Taupau
15 Ava Seumanufagai
16 Sauaso Sue
17 Matthew Lodge
Coach: Jason Taylor
Josh Hoffman is expected to start at the back after arriving from Brisbane, while Anthony Don pips Kevin Gordon to a wing spot in our side and David Hala starts in place of the retired Luke Bailey. Paul Carter's sacking opens the door for Panthers signing Kierran Moseley.
The race for back row spots at the Tigers is wide open after the departure of Adam Blair, Liam Fulton, Bodene Thompson and Cory Paterson, with Sitaleki Akauola and veteran Dene Halatau joining young gun Curtis Sironen in our side. Kevin Naiqama is set to replace the injured David Nofoaluma on the wing.
Cowboys v Roosters - Saturday March 7, 8pm (local), 1300 Smiles Stadium
Cowboys
1 Lachlan Coote2 Antonio Winterstein
3 Tautau Moga
4 Kane Linnett
5 Justin O'Neill
6 Michael Morgan
7 Johnathan Thurston (c)
8 Matt Scott (c)
9 Rory Kostjasyn
10 Ben Hannant
11 Gavin Cooper
12 Jason Taumalolo
13 Glenn Hall
Interchange:
14 Jake Granville
15 Scott Bolton
16 Ethan Lowe
17 Kelepi Tanginoa
Coach: Paul Green
Roosters
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck2 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
3 Michael Jennings
4 Blake Ferguson
5 Daniel Tupou
6 James Maloney
7 Mitchell Pearce
8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9 Matt McIlwrick
10 Sam Moa
11 Mitchell Aubusson
12 Boyd Cordner
13 Aidan Guerra
Interchange:
14 Martin Kennedy
15 Dylan Napa
16 Isaac Liu
17 Kane Evans
Coach: Trent Robinson
Doubts remain over whether James Tamou will be fit for Round 1 but with Ben Hannant on the bench and Kelepi Tanginoa waiting in the wings, the Cowboys have good forward depth. Lachlan Coote will be fit again meaning Michael Morgan could return to the halves after a stellar 2014 campaign at fullback, while Justin O'Neill should start after joining from the Storm.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will wear the No.1 following Anthony Minicheillo's retirement, with Shaun Kenny-Dowall set to move out to the wing and new face Blake Ferguson starting in the centres. With Jake Friend set to miss the start of the season after shoulder surgery former Raider Matt McIlwrick starts at hooker.
Panthers v Bulldogs - Sunday March 8, 4pm (local), Sportingbet Stadium
Panthers
1 Matt Moylan2 David Simmons
3 Dean Whare
4 Waqa Blake
5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
6 Jamie Soward
7 Peter Wallace (c)
8 Brent Kite
9 James Segeyaro
10 Sam McKendry
11 Bryce Cartwright
12 Tyrone Peachey
13 Elijah Taylor
Interchange:
14 Adam Docker
15 Jeremy Latimore
16 Nigel Plum
17 Lewis Brown
Coach: Ivan Cleary
Bulldogs
1 Brett Morris2 Corey Thompson
3 Josh Morris
4 Tim Lafai
5 Sam Perrett
6 Josh Reynolds
7 Trent Hodkinson
8 Aiden Tolman
9 Michael Lichaa
10 James Graham
11 Tony Williams
12 Josh Jackson
13 Greg Eastwood
Interchange:
14 Sam Kasiano
15 David Klemmer
16 Frank Pritchard
17 Tim Browne
Coach: Des Hasler
Captain Peter Wallace returns after missing much of 2014 through injury, while Elijah Taylor, Tyrone Peachey and Bryce Cartwright could all be back in the starting side after being sidelined for Penrith's finals exit last season. Meanwhile dangerous backline duo Josh Mansour and Jamal Idris are both set to miss Round 1 through injury.
Brett Morris should be handed the fullback role at his new club while former Cronulla young gun Michael Lichaa replaces departed skipper Michael Ennis at hooker, in a team that will start as one of the competition favourites.
Sharks v Raiders - Sunday March 8, 6.30pm, Remondis Stadium
Sharks
1 Michael Gordon2 Sosaia Feki
3 Ricky Leutele
4 Gerard Beale
5 Mitch Brown
6 Ben Barba
7 Jeff Robson
8 Andrew Fifita
9 Michael Ennis
10 Sam Tagataese
11 Luke Lewis
12 Wade Graham
13 Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange:
14 Anthony Tupou
15 Chris Heighington
16 Jayson Bukuya
17 Tinirau Arona
Coach: Shane Flanagan
Raiders
1 Jack Wighton2 Sisa Waqa
3 Jarrod Croker (c)
4 Jeremy Hawkins
5 Edrick Lee
6 Blake Austin
7 Mitch Cornish
8 David Shillington
9 Josh Hodgson
10 Frank-Paul Nuuausala
11 Josh Papalii
12 Sia Soliola
13 Shaun Fensom
Interchange:
14 Josh McCrone
15 Shannon Boyd
16 Dane Tilse
17 Paul Vaughan
Coach: Ricky Stuart
Ben Barba will play in the halves while Michael Ennis joins a very experienced forward pack at hooker. New Zealand international and ex-Dragon Gerard Beale starts at centre, while the returning Jayson Bukuya will be pushing for a bench spot.
It's a new-look spine for the Raiders in 2015 with Jack Wighton the best option at fullback, new signing Blake Austin to pair up with Mitch Cornish in the halves and English international Josh Hodgson the likely starter at hooker. Premiership-winning Rooster Frank-Paul Nuuausala joins the pack alongside St Helens recruit and former Kiwi Test player Sio Soliola. Shaun Fensom is now set to return earlier than expected from his knee injury and be fit for Round 1.
Dragons v Storm - Monday March 9, 7pm (local), WIN Jubilee Oval
Dragons
1 Josh Dugan2 Eto Nabuli
3 Euan Aitken
4 Dane Nielsen
5 Jason Nightingale
6 Gareth Widdop
7 Benji Marshall
8 Ben Creagh (c)
9 Mitch Rein
10 Tyson Frizell
11 Leeson Ah Mau
12 Joel Thompson
13 Trent Merrin
Interchange:
14 Heath L'Estrange
15 Jack De Belin
16 Mike Cooper
17 George Rose
Coach: Paul McGregor
Storm
1 Billy Slater2 Marika Koroibete
3 Will Chambers
4 Mahe Fonua
5 Young Tonumaipea
6 Blake Green
7 Cooper Cronk
8 Jesse Bromwich
9 Ryan Hinchcliffe
10 Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
11 Kevin Proctor
12 Tohu Harris
13 Dale Finucane
Interchange:
14 Tim Glasby
15 Kurt Mann
16 Jordan McLean
17 Kenny Bromwich
Coach: Craig Bellamy
The Dragons' World Club Series line-up reveals a few hints of their likely set-up for Round 1, with Josh Dugan reverting to fullback and rookies Euan Aitken, Eto Nabuli and Rory O'Brien all pushing for starting spots. Dylan Farrell could still grab a spot in the outside backs, while Mike Cooper should return to the side after missing the UK trip due to the birth of his child.
Blake Green will be the latest man tried at five-eighth for Melbourne following the exit of Gareth Widdop a year ago, while Ryan Hinchcliffe will start at hooker as Cameron Smith recuperates from ankle surgery. Dale Finucane should slot into the back row after arriving from Canterbury, while former Raider Tom Learoyd-Lahrs moves straight into the front row.
