NRL Round 1 fixtures revealed: Bennett vs Bellamy to open 2021 season

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Opening the season will be a blockbuster clash between master coaches Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett as the Storm host the Rabbitohs at home, AAMI Park on March 11. It will be their first game at AAMI Park since Round 4.

 

Besides being the two best coaches in the game, Bellamy and Bennett have a bit of history. While Bennett was at the Broncos they went after Bellamy in 2018 to replace him. The Broncos didn’t land Bellamy so instead secured Anthony Seibold, but it was the chase for Bellamy that led to Bennett learning he wasn’t wanted at Red Hill anymore.

To make the game even juicier fans will see Latrell Mitchell back from injury up against Clive Churchill Medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen. It could also be the first game post Cameron Smith if the champion skipper does decide to retire — or sign with a new club.

On Friday night, Kevin Walters will debut as Broncos coach against the Eels at Suncorp Stadium. If there’s a team Walters wants to beat first up it should be the Eels who knocked Brisbane out of the 2019 finals with a 59-nil thrashing at Bankwest Stadium. The Eels also defeated them twice in 2020.

One of the Saturday games include an Auckland home game for the Warriors, depending on border restrictions and on Sunday Kogarah Oval will host a local derby between the Dragons and Sharks.

The 2021 Anzac Day games will be Roosters vs Dragons, Storm vs Warriors and also Sea Eagles vs Bulldogs.

Thursday 11th of March 2021

Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, 7:40pm at AAMI Park VIC

Friday 12 of March 2021

Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 6pm at McDonald Jones Stadium NSW

Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels, 7:30pm at Suncorp Stadium QLD

Saturday 13 of March 2021 

Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans, 3pm at Mt Smart Stadium NZ

Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles, 5:30pm at SCG NSW

Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys, 7:30pm at Penrith Stadium NSW

Sunday 14 of March 2021

Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers, 4pm at GIO Stadium ACT

Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons, 6:30pm at Kogarah Oval NSW