Penrith have been handed an arduous start to their campaign to win a fifth consecutive premiership after the NRL ramped up the rivalries in the opening five rounds of the 2025 draw.

The NRL has released the full draw for the upcoming season, which will again kick off with matches at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The fixture list throws up a series of intriguing narratives, including a series of grudge matches in the opening rounds.

No one will face a tougher start than the premiers, who begin their campaign against the Sharks in Vegas, the Roosters in round two, a grand final replay against Melbourne the following week then Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs to round out the opening month.

The rivalries and grudge matches are also an early highlight. St George Illawarra recruit Damien Cook won’t have to wait long to take on South Sydney, their clash scheduled for round two.

Josh Addo-Carr, if allowed to serve one of his four-game bans during the All Stars match, could make his debut for Parramatta against the club that sacked him, Canterbury, in round three.

Round five could well be rebranded ‘Spite Round’ . Foundation club rivals Roosters and Rabbitohs play at Accor Stadium on the Friday night while, the next day, new Dragons signing Clint Gutherson will face his old club Parramatta at Parramatta in a game that also marks Zac Lomax’s first encounter against the Red V.

The late Saturday game also marks the first time Brisbane coach Michael Maguire takes on a Wests Tigers outfit that sacked him and left him in NRL purgatory until he took over from Kevin Walters at Red Hill.

Another highlight will be when Tigers signing Jarome Luai takes on Penrith for the first time in round 14 at CommBank Stadium in a Sunday blockbuster, followed by the traditional King’s Birthday weekend match between the Bulldogs and Parramatta at Accor Stadium on Monday.