NRL Early Mail round 1 2025: Jason Ryles unsettled on Eels team

Parramatta coach Jason Ryles admits he hasn’t settled on his team and four spots are still up for grabs, with a host of stars unavailable for round one, including Josh Addo-Carr. See the latest early mail.

Honesty. Consistency. Work ethic.

These are the three decisive qualities new Parramatta coach Jason Ryles pinched from his mentor, Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy, the pair going head-to-head in an epic Round 1 Ryles has described as “surreal and fitting.”

The match, at AAMI Park on March 9, will be Bellamy’s 587th NRL games with Ryles on his head coaching debut.

After 12 years as an assistant under Bellamy at Melbourne, Trent Robinson (Sydney Roosters) and Eddie Jones (English rugby), Ryles says he is “finally at the starting line.”

And it certainly won’t be easy given Melbourne has won 22 of its past 24 Round 1 matches.

Ryles spoke passionately about his new coaching career while still pondering over team selection for the Storm game.

The Eels have four spots up for grabs, with a host of stars unavailable for Round One, including Josh Addo-Carr. Picture: Getty Images

“We haven’t settled on a team yet. We are just getting through this week and we’ll know more early next week. We’re the Sunday game so we have a little bit of time to go,” he said.

A wing position remains unresolved, as does starting front-row and back-row spots along with a bench place with star players Josh Addo-Carr, Shaun Lane and Bailey Simonsson unavailable.

Sean Russell and Jake Tago are favourites to play wing with Jack Williams and Joe Ofahengaue battling for a starting front-row spot alongside Junior Paulo.

Kelma Tuilagi, Ryan Matterson and J’maine Hopgood are backrow contenders along with Bryce Cartwright, who could come off the bench with Charlie Guymer and Wiremu Greig also interchange options.

PAP A CHANCE AS STORM GUNS EYE COMEBACKS

—Pamela Whaley

Melbourne gun Su’a Fa’alogo is set to be available to face Parramatta in round 1 as a host of stars are expected to return for the season opener.

Scans have ruled out a hamstring injury for Fa’alogo after he was pulled from the field in Sunday’s trial loss to North Queensland with tightness in his leg.

Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Coates and Will Warbrick also started full training on Wednesday and are set to play the season opener, while Ryan Papenhuyzen will be given every chance to face the Eels.

Ryan Papenhuyzen will be given every chance to face the Eels. Picture: Getty Images

“I think they’re all going to be pretty good, Sua’s been given the all clear for round 1, Paps is on track for round 1 and Xav is the same and Brick should be right,” said skipper Harry Grant on Wednesday.

“For us at this time of year it’s about being ready for round 1 and that’s the priority, obviously there’s trials, but if guys are 50-50 for the trials, they’ve got enough first grade experience or ability to get themselves right.

“Hughsey’s looking OK too, he was probably pushing for the trial but given it was a trial and how experienced and important Hughesy is it’s probably better to play the safe option. For my understanding he’ll be sweet.”

Papenhuyzen has been dealing with knee and ankle issues, and needs to get through every training session over the next week to be considered.

Meanwhile, rookie Hugo Peel has undergone surgery for a fractured jaw and will be sidelined for between eight to 10 weeks after a collision in Sunday’s trial game.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 1 2025: Jason Ryles unsettled on Eels team