St George Illawarra will begin their premiership defence against Gold Coast, following the release of next season's NRL draw.

The Dragons will travel to Queensland to play the Titans when round one kicks off on the weekend of March 11-14 in 2011.

Wayne Bennett's premiers won't play a home game until the heritage round five, when they take on Canterbury.

The Sydney Roosters will need to wait until the traditional Anzac Day clash to seek revenge against the Dragons for their grand final defeat, opening their campaign to go one better in 2011 at home to fierce rivals South Sydney.

Melbourne will play their first match for premiership points in 11 months against grand final rivals Manly at AAMI Park.

Completing round one, the Broncos take on North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium, Canberra play Cronulla in the national capital, Penrith meet Newcastle at CUA Stadium, the Warriors clash with Parramatta in Auckland and Canterbury face the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium.

New Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney goes up against his old club the Storm in Melbourne in round five, while Brisbane signing Greg Inglis runs out against his former employers in round nine at Suncorp Stadium.

The season will again kick-off with the All Stars match at Skilled Park on February 12.

"It's an exciting start to the season that gives people a chance to celebrate the return of rugby league like never before with all the game's big stadiums in play on the same weekend," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.

City-Country and the one-off Test against New Zealand in Christchurch will be played on May 6, while Suncorp hosts State of Origin games on May 25 and July 6 and ANZ on June 15.

The NRL finals series begins on the weekend of September 9-11, with the grand final on Sunday, October 2.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP