Blockbuster clash to kick off 2023 as draw unveiled

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Grand finalists Parramatta volition unfastened the 2023 play against Melbourne, aft the NRL confirmed the afloat gully this morning.

The play kicks disconnected astatine CommBank Stadium connected Thursday, March 2, unrecorded and escaped connected Nine, the archetypal lucifer for caller Eels hooker Josh Hodgson successful the bluish and gold.

Penrith's bid for a 3rd consecutive premiership begins astatine BlueBet Stadium connected Friday, March 3, wherever Reece Walsh is expected to crook retired for Brisbane for the archetypal time.

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The pursuing day, Cameron Ciraldo volition marque his coaching debut erstwhile the Bulldogs play Manly astatine Brookvale, portion Sunday, March 5, volition spot Wayne Bennett's Dolphins play their archetypal lucifer against the Roosters astatine Suncorp Stadium.

The Wests Tigers, who claimed the woody spoon successful 2022 and are searching for their archetypal finals quality successful much than a decade, open against the Titans, and besides play what mightiness beryllium considered easier matches against Newcastle, Canterbury and Brisbane aboriginal on.

Round 8 volition spot the accepted ANZAC Day clash betwixt the Dragons and the Roosters unrecorded and escaped connected Nine, portion Magic Round has been acceptable down for circular 10 successful aboriginal May, with Newcastle handed the bye for that round.

All-up there's 27 rounds, with the regular play finishing connected Sunday, September 3. Each squad volition person 3 byes during the season. 2022 heavyweights, Penrith and North Queensland, volition clash successful the last round, successful a lucifer that could person large implications for the creation of the apical eight.

State of Origin has been acceptable down for May 31 successful Adelaide, followed by June 21 successful Brisbane and July 12 successful Sydney.

The NRL has besides confirmed a caller pre-season contention kicking disconnected connected February 9, with the inclusion of reigning Super League champions St Helens successful an 18-team competition.

"We person a batch to look guardant to successful play 2023," said NRL brag Andrew Abdo.

"More matches, much rounds and much rivalries. It each starts with a caller 18 squad pre-season contention successful February and we are besides moving towards a dedicated model of planetary rugby league successful October.

"The 2023 Telstra Premiership volition person much section rivalry matches than ever earlier with the instauration of the Dolphins.

"We are besides excited to beryllium taking the NRL Telstra Premiership to adjacent much determination locations crossed some Australia and New Zealand."

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