The Mole: Both rookie coaches set for 'brutal first-up test' as 2025 round one NRL fixtures confirmed
Updated . First published at
New head coaches Kristian Woolf and Jason Ryles will face a brutal first-up test of their credentials in the opening round of the 2025 season.
Woolf, who takes over at the Dolphins, takes on his former mentor Wayne Bennett, who has returned to South Sydney.
And Ryles, the new main man at Parramatta, finds himself up against Craig Bellamy, his ex-boss at the Storm in recent years.
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It will be a tough initiation for both rookie coaches, who enter the new season with plenty to prove.
Woolf is filling the biggest shoes in the game against Bennett, who is hoping to revitalise Souths after a dismal season for the club in 2024.
Kristian Woolf coach of the Dolphins. Getty
Ryles has the job of lifting Parramatta out of the doldrums and has already made some big calls, releasing veterans and club favourites Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
There is no harder road trip than Melbourne in Melbourne and Ryles has been done no favours by the draw in his bid to get off to a winning start.
The season again opens in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 2 (AEDT) with the big double header between the Raiders and Warriors followed by Panthers and Sharks.
Four-time premiership-winners the Penrith Panthers are set to make their Las Vegas debut. Getty
The following Thursday night is the first game on Australian soil, with the Roosters at home against the Broncos.
There are two games on Friday night, starting with the Tigers and Knights, then the Dolphins and Rabbitohs.
Saturday night also sees two games, with the Dragons at home to the Bulldogs before the Sea Eagles meet the Cowboys.
In the lone Sunday game, the Storm host the Eels, with the Titans having the bye first up.
The NRL has yet to announce the venues for the games, apart from the huge double header in Vegas to kick-start the new season.
Round 1 2025
Sunday, March 2
Raiders v Warriors at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 11am AEDT
Panthers v Sharks at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 3.30pm (AEDT)
Thursday, March 6
Roosters v Broncos (stadium TBA), 8pm AEDT
Friday, March 7
Tigers v Knights (stadium TBA), 6pm AEDT
Dolphins v Rabbitohs (stadium TBA), 8.05pm AEDT
Saturday, March 8
Dragons v Bulldogs (stadium TBA), 5.30pm AEDT
Sea Eagles v Cowboys (stadium TBA), 7.35pm AEDT
Sunday, March 9
Storm v Eels (stadium TBA), 4.05pm AEDT
Bye: Titans
