Roosters v Rabbitohs
Roosters fans went into rapture when the Tricolours clinched the 2013 Minor Premiership with a 24-12 win over the Bunnies in Round 26. In hindsight, it was the launch pad to their premiership. But who knows what might have happened had Souths won that game and claimed the Minor Premiership instead?
Trent Robinson's boys know another chapter has been added to Souths' 'Book of Feuds' and that the Rabbitohs will come at them hard. They will also remember the 28-10 victory Souths inflicted in the 2013 season opener. This match-up could set the tone for each team's season. Fans need to be in full cry.
Roosters v Sea Eagles
Things certainly fell into place for the Tricolours every time they jogged out to play the maroon and white in 2013. A record four wins over the same opponent in the one season, including a victory in the Grand Final, is a benchmark achievement Roosters fans will dine out on for years to come – but they also know it means Manly will be their toughest opponent in a super-tough NRL competition 2014.
The individual clashes are mouth-watering: halves Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney up against internationals Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran; Sonny Bill Williams v Glenn Stewart; and Michael Jennings v Jamie Lyon. Regardless of whether there are four points in it, as was the case after 80 minutes in their Week 1 finals clash, or 44 points, like the Grand Final three weeks later, it will be thrilling stuff.
Roosters v Dragons
There are few NRL rivalries that deliver as tense a competition as the traditional Anzac Day battle between the Roosters and Dragons at Allianz Stadium. Consequently the new chapter for 2014 is guaranteed sell-out status.
Any Roosters fan who witnessed Trent Robinson's boys smash the Red V to the tune of 34-10 in Round 7 last season will tell you there's no better feeling than watching Dragons fans forlornly make for the exits way before the fulltime siren.
Overall the recent history between these sides has tended to swing in waves, with the Roosters winning four of the past five encounters, but it was all Dragons before that with six straight wins from 2009-11. Can the premiers maintain their dominance?
Check back on NRL.com at 11am (AEDT) Wednesday for details of your team's schedule with the release of the 2014 NRL Draw.
