Who is under the most pressure ahead of the 2025 rugby league season?

SEN’s Corey Parker has highlighted the leaders across rugby league who are under the most pressure to perform and live up to expectations in 2025.

Jarome Luai - Wests Tigers

“Luai is a four-time Premiership winner and he’s been brought across to the cellar dwellers,” Parker said on SENQ.

“If you’re a Wests Tigers fan, you want to hope that things go better this year.

“Do you think Luai will be the man to take them off the bottom of the table? He’s gone to the club on a $1.2 million (per year) deal.

“I go back to the game the Panthers played in Magic Round last year gainst the Warriors.

There was no Nathan Cleary and they lost the game but Luai was the best player on the park that day.

“He’ll need some friends and some help but he’ll definitely be under all sorts of pressure.”

Laurie Daley - NSW Blues

“I’m going to play Devil’s advocate. What happens if NSW goes down 3-0?

“Does Laurie hold his job the following year? I think he’s under enormous amounts of pressure because he’s following up from Michael Maguire.

“Laurie’s held the position before and you look at his record (in State of Origin). It doesn’t look that bad because he was also up against a great (Queensland) side.

“If it goes down 3-0, they are not very forgiving in NSW.”

Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook - St George Illawarra Dragons

“Gutherson and Cook as co-captains. What is that going to look like?

“The Red V supporters are far and wide (and expect results).”

Wayne Bennett - South Sydney Rabbitohs

“He returns to South Sydney who last year were a basket case.

“They fell off a cliff and if they can’t go North up the ladder, does he have immunity just because he’s Wayne Bennett?

“Surely he cops a bit of scrutiny.”

Latrell Mitchell - South Sydney Rabbitohs

“Latrell is the barometer of South Sydney.

“If he’s unhappy and not going good then neither are Souths.”

Des Hasler - Gold Coast Titans

“He’s had his feet under the table for the last 12 months. The obligatory 12 month immunity where he’s inherited the roster (is gone).

“They’ve got a great forward pack and I’m expecting big things from Des Hasler.”

Michael Maguire - Brisbane Broncos

“If they don’t go any good, the frying pans will start to heat up.

“I don’t think that will happen but if they lose early, the noise will start coming far and wide.”