NRL 2025, Late Mail, round 1, injuries, team updates, late changes

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 9 Mar 2025, 03:11 PM

The opening round of the 2025 season continues with big guns the Roosters and Broncos squaring off at Allianz Stadium before Wests Tigers launch a new era at home on Friday might with Jarome Luai at the helm. The Rabbitohs then host the Dolphins at CommBank Stadium in the clash relocated from Brisbane due to the impact of Cyclone Alfred in south-east Queensland.

For the Broncos, Dolphins, Rabbitohs and Eels a new era begins under coaches Michael Maguire, Kristian Woolf, Wayne Bennett and Jason Ryles.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates ahead of Round 1 of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.

NRL Late Mail: Round 1

Storm v Eels, Sunday 4.05pm (AEDT) at AAMI Park

Storm: The Storm are 1-17 with no late changes. Playmaker Jahrome Hughes (neck), winger Xavier Coates (ankle) and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle/knee) all right to go. Former Tiger Stefano Utoikamanu makes his club debut in the front row in the only change to the starting side from last year's grand final. Grant Anderson is the 18th man. The Storm have won 22 consecutive Round 1 games.

Eels: A change to Jason Ryles' first side as coach one day out from the game with Ryan Matterson removed from the bench with Sam Tuivaiti promoted from the reserves for his NRL debut. Earlier in the week, Ryles named excitement machine Isaiah Iongi at fullback and star recruit Zac Lomaz at centre while Ronald Volkman gets the nod at halfback with Mitch Moses facing six weeks on the sideline with a foot injury. Veteran prop Junior Paulo has overcome a Lisfranc injury and will captain the side. Hooker Ryley Smith makes his NRL debut off the bench and former Shark Jack Williams makes his club debut in the back row. Toni Mataele is 18th man. Wingers Bailey Simonsson (knee - Rd 4) and Josh Addo-Carr (suspension - Rd 3) and forward Shaun Lane (knee - Rd 2) are closing in on returns.

Round 1 - Sunday 9th March

Full Time

Storm

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick

Winger for Eels is number 2 Sean Russell
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney

Centre for Eels is number 4 Zac Lomax
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates

Winger for Eels is number 5 Jake Tago
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Ronald Volkman

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Eels is number 8 Joe Ofahengaue
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jack Williams
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Ryley Smith
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Matt Doorey
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Charlie Guymer
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Lazarus Vaalepu

Interchange for Eels is number 21 Sam Tuivaiti