Bitter rivals South Sydney and Sydney Roosters will kick off the 2011 NRL season at the Sydney Football Stadium on March 11.
The Rabbitohs will be hoping that Queensland superstar Greg Inglis's contract issues will be resolved shortly so he can prepare to face last season's grand finalists in round one.
Also on that Friday night, Brisbane will welcome a new-look North Queensland outfit at Suncorp Stadium.
Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney will travel home to Auckland for his first match with the Eels, against the Warriors at Eden Park on the 112th of March.
St George Illawarra open their title defence with a trip to the Gold Coast, while Melbourne face Manly in a repeat of the 2007 and 2008 grand finals.
