Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 1 clash between the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Sydney Roosters Vs Brisbane Broncos
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Date: Thursday March 6, 8:00pm (AEDT)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Nat Butcher 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Siua Wong 16. Blake Steep 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Hugo Savala 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Ethan King 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Broncos: 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 Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Martin Taupau 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Jaiyden Hunt
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Chris Butler
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Itโs a vastly different preparation for the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos in 2025 in comparison to 2024.
This time last year, the two sides were preparing for their historic match in Las Vegas. In 2025, the new-look Roosters face a Broncos side now coached by Michael Maguire.
Itโs hard to make too many judgements off pre-season form, but the Broncos looked far more like the team that reached a grand final in 2023 than they did for almost all of last season, while the Roosters looked like they could be in for a long year.
The Roosters have a very different side to what we saw in 2024, with six key departures, as well as Sam Walker, Brandon Smith, Egan Butcher (all ACLs), Billy Smith (hip), and Spencer Leniu (suspended) all unavailable. New recruit Chad Townsend slots into the halves alongside Sandon Smith, with Connor Watson the new hooker, and Mฤori All Star Zach Dockar-Clay on the bench. Naufahu Whyte gets the first chance to stake a claim to a starting prop jersey, while rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase will play his second first grade game at centre. Robert Toia will make his long-awaited first grade debut in the other centre jersey, while highly rated back rower Salesi Foketi will debut from the interchange.
The Maguire era starts at the Broncos with several changes, most notably the return of Ben Hunt, replacing the suspended Ezra Mam at five-eighth. Selwyn Cobbo returns to the wing having spent most of 2024 at centre, with Gehamat Shibasaki taking the centre role in his first Broncos game since 2019, following unsuccessful stints at Newcastle, North Queensland, and South Sydney. In the forwards, co-captain Pat Carrigan moves from lock to prop, Kobe Hetherington takes the number 13 jumper, and Jack Gosiewski will make his first appearance in the top grade since June last year in the second row. Young gun Cory Paix will make his first NRL appearance in 18 months, starting at hooker for the first time since 2020, with Billy Walters relegated to the bench.
Among the Roostersโ biggest issues in the pre-season was their defence. Their young middle forwards were caught napping on a number of occasions, while the right edge of Chad Townsend, Toia, and Dom Young were no match for the attack of the Newcastle Knights. While there were the occasional defensive lapses in 2024, coach Trent Robinson is going to have his work cut out for him in keeping the team focused throughout the 80 minutes, especially with the potent Broncos attack. If they are to win this week, their defence is going to need to be at its best.
One of the biggest criticisms of sacked Broncos coach Kevin Walters was his perceived softness on the players and letting them get away with a poor attitude. New coach Maguire is a hard taskmaster and has already laid down the law during the pre-season, instilling a new toughness in the team. He has also shown a willingness to pick players on their merits as opposed to sticking with those who have been there for a long time. If they are to win this week, theyโll need to combine a new attitude with their attacking flair.
This will be the first time the Broncos have played at the new Allianz Stadium, having won 15 of 26 matches against the Roosters at the old stadium. They only won one of their last six matches at the old ground, however, and also lost three of the four games they played against the Roosters at the SCG (as the new stadium was under construction). The Broncos have won 32 of the 59 overall meetings between the two teams, but only two of the past nine. Roosters coach Robinson has won his past seven matches coached against Maguireโs teams, dating back to 2016.
Two strong, proud clubs enter a new era on Thursday night. The Roosters are in the early stages of a rebuild, while the Broncos already have the foundation. The visitors should get their season off to a positive start at Allianz.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Broncos by 12 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Follow Us on Facebook
