NRL 2019: Roosters-Rabbitohs showdown a Round One highlight
CHECK out the first-look at the opening round of the 2019 NRL season which is flush with mouth-watering storylines, including a Roosters-Rabbitohs blockbuster at one of Sydney’s most famous grounds.
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HISTORY and hatred will dominate the NRL’s opening round of the 2019 season with the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney set for a round one showdown at the SCG.
For the first time in 92 years, the reigning premiers and South Sydney have a round one meeting at the famous ground on Friday, March 15.
The NRL’s best grudge match will also feature former Souths forward Angus Crichton playing his first official game for rivals the Roosters.
The SCG is the home of the Roosters for the next three years due to the demolition of Allianz Stadium — and the round one clash will be the first time the NRL have used the ground for an opening round match since 1984.
After months of consultation with every club, host broadcasters Fox Sports and Nine, the NRL are ready to announce the entire season draw to the public on Thursday in Sydney.
The Sunday Telegraph has secured a first-look at the opening round of next season — and it’s flush with mouth-watering storylines including:
● The 2019 season-proper begins on Thursday, March 14 in Melbourne where the Storm will begin life without Billy Slater against Brisbane;
● A Sunday afternoon sell-out at Penrith against western Sydney rivals and an eager-to-improve Parramatta;
● The likely comeback as Manly coach of Des Hasler marked by a first-up clash with a Wests Tigers side almost also certain to be with a new mentor;
● A Fox Sports blockbuster between the Cowboys and Dragons, the match which will mark Ben Barba’s NRL comeback
● Cronulla facing a tricky opening round road-trip to the Hunter to face a Knights side that will include former Sharks Jesse Ramien and Edrick Lee.
Without retired fullback Billy Slater to call on for the first time in 16 years, the Storm will host Brisbane in a perfect heavyweight stoush to launch the new footy season.
Book-ending round one is the local derby clash between Penrith and Parramatta. The clash will focus heavily on the coaches with it potentially being Ivan Cleary’s first game back as Panthers coach.
For last year’s wooden spooners the Eels, round one is the start of off-contract coach Brad Arthur’s mission towards proving he deserves to remain in charge of the blue and golds.
Fox Sports Super Saturday will begin in Auckland for the Warriors’ first-up crack at Canterbury, who will be eager to start fast after their strong finish to 2018. The final match on Super Saturday will be billed as Barba’s return against St George Illawarra. The former Cronulla premiership-winning fullback returns to Australia next month to start pre-season training with the North Queensland Cowboys.
Barba has spent the past two seasons in the UK Super League with St Helens — carving a swathe through the competition in the process.
The 29 year-old finished 2018 with the Man of Steel Award.
Completing the opening round will be the Titans, scheduled to host the Raiders, on Sunday night March 17.
ROUND 1 2019 NRL DRAW
THURSDAY, MARCH 14
STORM v BRONCOS
7.40pm at AAMI Park (Fox Sports and Channel 9)
FRIDAY, MARCH 15
KNIGHTS v SHARKS
6pm at McDonald Jones Stadium (Fox Sports)
ROOSTERS v RABBITOHS
7.40pm at SCG (Fox Sports and Channel 9)
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
WARRIORS v BULLDOGS
4pm at Mt Smart Stadium (Fox Sports)
TIGERS v SEA EAGLES
6pm at Campbelltown Stadium/Leichhardt Oval (Fox Sports)
COWBOYS v DRAGONS
8pm at 1300Smiles Stadium (Fox Sports)
SUNDAY, MARCH 17
PANTHERS v EELS
4pm at Penrith Stadium (Fox Sports and Channel 9)
TITANS v RAIDERS
6.30pm at Cbus Super Stadium (Fox Sports)
*All Sydney times. Kick-offs and venues to be confirmed
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