Paix has won a four-way hooking battle by beating Walters, Blake Mozer and Tyson Smoothy to Brisbane’s No.9 jersey.

Ben Hunt is expected to shuffle to hooker once suspended five-eighth Ezra Mam is available to return in round 10, but the off-contract Paix will be doing everything he can to impress in the No.9 jumper as he aims to score a new deal.

THURSDAY

Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos, Allianz Stadium (8pm)

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Nat Butcher 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Siua Wong 16. Blake Steep 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Hugo Savala 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Ethan King 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Makahesi Makatoa

Roosters analysis: Front-rower Spencer Leniu will miss the first two rounds due to suspension, which has paved the way for Naufahu Whyte to start at prop. Sam Walker and Brandon Smith will both miss the first half of the season as they recover from ACL injuries. Veteran halfback Chad Townsend will make his Roosters debut as centre Robert Toia and backrower Salesi Foketi play their first NRL games.

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Martin Taupau 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Broncos analysis: Deine Mariner and Gehamat Shibasaki will play in the centres after Kotoni Staggs (quadriceps) was ruled out for about a month, with Shibasaki set to make his Broncos debut.