NRL draw: 2025 season to start with grudge matches

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NRL draw: 2025 season to start with grudge matches

The NRL have pitted Kyle Flanagan against Stephen Crichton on the St George Illawarra playmaker’s full return from his biting ban as part of a blockbuster start to 2025.

Head office revealed the opening-round fixtures for next season on Sunday morning, with several grudge matches included in the eight games.

Canberra and the Warriors will play the opening game in Las Vegas on March 1, before Penrith and Cronulla also square off at Allegiant Stadium.

Head office has then banked on the safety of the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane playing the first game back in Australia the following Thursday.

Wests Tigers will face Newcastle on the Friday evening, before Kristian Woolf takes on old mentor Wayne Bennett and South Sydney later that night.

The Dragons’ clash with Canterbury will kick off a Saturday double-header, before Manly host North Queensland.

Jason Ryles will also start his coaching tenure at Parramatta against Melbourne and his old boss Craig Bellamy, in a Sunday afternoon fixture at AAMI Park.

Gold Coast have been handed the round-one bye.

After being accused of starting the home leg of this year without a headline clash, the NRL have rolled out the big guns to start 2025.

The Roosters-Broncos clash is a guaranteed ratings winner, given it plays to both the Queensland and Sydney television markets.

The two teams were involved in a hotel corridor verbal altercation in the hours after last year’s clash in Las Vegas, with Spencer Leniu copping an eight-game ban for an on-field ******* slur.

Ben Hunt could also turn out for either side against a club that also courted him, with the uncontracted halfback an option for both teams.

And after the master and apprentice face off on the Friday night in Bennett and Woolf, Saturday’s clash between the Dragons and Bulldogs will also have added meaning.

Flanagan vehemently denied biting Crichton on the nose late last season, but was still found guilty and handed a four-match ban by the NRL judiciary.

In the days following the incident, there was a clear animosity between the two clubs, with Crichton not appearing at the judiciary to be cross-examined.

Flanagan was also adamant in the judiciary hearing that Crichton had tried to suffocate him with his face.

The Dragons playmaker will be clear to return in the NRL’s pre-season fixtures, but the round-one match will be his first full competitive game back.

The full season fixture is expected to be released later this week.

2025 NRL OPENING-ROUND FIXTURES (All times AEDT):

Sunday, March 2 (Las Vegas double-header)

11am: Canberra v Warriors

3.30pm: Penrith v Cronulla

Thursday, March 6

Sydney Roosters v Brisbane

Friday, March 7

6pm: Wests Tigers v Newcastle

8.05pm: Dolphins v South Sydney

Saturday, March 8

5.30pm: St George Illawarra v Canterbury

7.35pm: Manly v North Queensland

Sunday, March 9

4.05pm: Melbourne v Parramatta

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