Roosters v Broncos: Toia makes debut; Paix gets nod at hooker

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 6 Mar 2025, 07:04 PM

The Roosters will be aiming to defy their doubters when they host a new-look Brisbane outfit to launch their season.

Trent Robinson has lost a host of experience in the off-season across both the forwards and the backs, headlined by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and half Luke Keary's move to the Super League.

Their depth to start the season has also been severely tested with long-term injuries to Sam Walker and Brandon Smith and the two-game suspension handed to Spencer Leniu for a high shot in the trial against Newcastle.

For the Broncos however, what's old is new again with the signing of Ben Hunt, who has returned to the club keen to make an instant impact.

Starting the year in the halves alongside skipper Adam Reynolds, the duo will be the oldest halves pairing in the competition, but showed they are still plenty quick between the ears after combining well to help Brisbane earn back-to-back Pre-Season Challenge titles in their final round win against the Bulldogs.

Round 1 - Thursday 6th March

Full Time

Roosters

Broncos

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

Team News

Roosters: No further changes on game day after Nat Butcher dropped out on Wednesday of what would have been his 150th NRL game. He is replaced at lock by Siua Wong and Taylor Losalu joins the bench. James Tedesco leads a new-look Roosters side that includes debutant Robert Toia in the centres alongside Mark Nawaqawitanase in just his second NRL game. Nawaqawitanase has recovered from a calf injury suffered in the final trial game against the Knights. Experienced playmaker Chad Townsend plays his first game as a Rooster in the No.7 jersey, partnering Sandon Smith in the halves. In the forwards Naufahu Whyte steps up to fill the boots of club legend Jared Waerea-Hargreaves after coming off the bench in 16 of his 23 games last year. The bench includes 20-year-old back-rower Salesi Foketi on NRL debut and teenager Blake Steep in his fourth career game. Hugo Savala is 18th man.

Broncos: The Broncos are 1-17 with no late changes. Cory Paix has won the starting hooker role after an impressive pre-season and will play his first NRL game since Round 27, 2023, with Billy Walters to come from the bench. In a remarkable return, former Bronco Gehamat Shibasaki – who originally re-joined the club on a train-and-replace deal before being upgraded to a development contract – will partner Deine Mariner in the centres, with Kotoni Staggs (quad) sidelined. Pat Carrigan moves to prop with Kobe Hetherington starting at lock, while Jack Gosiewski, who missed the back end of last season with a broken arm, starts in the second row ahead of Brendan Piakura, who will come from the bench. No changes in the 24-hour update with Tyson Smoothy 18th man and Delouise Hoeter the replacement player.

Round 1 - Thursday 6th March

Full Time

Roosters

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Selwyn Cobbo
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Mark Nawaqanitawase

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Deine Mariner
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sandon Smith

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ben Hunt
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Patrick Carrigan
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Naufahu Whyte

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jack Gosiewski
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
Lock for Roosters is number 15 Siua Wong

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Zach Dockar-Clay

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy Walters
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Blake Steep

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey Jensen
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Salesi Foketi

Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Xavier Willison
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Taylor Losalu

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Brendan Piakura

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Hugo Savala

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Tyson Smoothy

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 08:24 pm Monday 10th March 2025

Stat Attack

The Roosters have won five of their past six games against the Broncos.
The Broncos will play at the new Allianz Stadium for the first time.
Brisbane centre Deine Mariner has scored six tries in his past four games in Sydney.
Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton has scored six tries in his past five games against the Broncos.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.