Ultimate Guide: NRL Round 1 preview

The moment of truth arrives for Wests Tigers as they look to turn all the hype and expectation into a first-up win over Kalyn Ponga and the Knights.

Superstar playmaker Jarome Luai will be champing at the bit after sitting out the Pre-Season Challenge and his combination with whiz kid Lachlan Galvin holds the key to a Wests Tigers revival in 2025 after three straight wooden spoons.

Along with skipper Api Koroisau, dynamic fullback Jahream Bula and former Rooster Terrell May, they form a 'Big Five' capable of turning the club's fortunes around and putting them back in finals contention.

Koroisau will miss the first-up assignment against the Knights due to suspension but Tallyn Da Silva is a more than handy fill-in for the Fijian superstar.

The Knights, meanwhile, are coming off an eight-try romp over the Roosters in their final Pre-Season Challenge match and look to be on a winner with Fletcher Sharpe in the No.6 jumper.

The 20-year-old ran for 192 metres across the two trial games, using his speed and footwork to great effect to stretch the defence and create opportunities for his outside men.