South Sydney's premiership-winning fullback Greg Inglis and New Zealand Test halfback Shaun Johnson have been named jointly to launch the 2015 NRL season.
On a historic night for the NRL on Thursday, Inglis and Warrior Johnson will officially launch a 10-month calendar of rugby league on Auckland's waterfront.
NRL head of commercial Paul Kind said every year, the league considered players who best represented what's great about the game.
"In Shaun Johnson and Greg Inglis, you have two very special players, two very unique talents and players who, in the course of last year, shone in our major events.
"On top of that, they are two players who off the field gave a lot back to the community. They chose themselves."
Inglis, who helped the Rabbitohs break a 43-year premiership drought, said it would be a privilege to launch the season with Johnson.
"It's an incredible honour and I will feel great pride standing alongside Shaun to launch the 2015 calendar," Inglis said.
"You dream of just playing rugby league but to win a premiership with Souths, to be named captain of the club and to kick the season off like this, all in the space of a few months, is truly special and something I can carry with me always.
"It's changed my life. My dream is that there are kids out there who will be inspired enough to believe that their lives can be changed by rugby league too."
Johnson helped the Kiwis win the Four Nations last year, and will be a key Warriors' player in the club's 20th season.
"I have been aware of the players who have opened the season before but never thought I'd ever be in a position to do it," Johnson said.
"It's a significant honour for me personally but also for the game in this country.
"It can only do good for the game having this kind of profile here."
After next weekend's Auckland Nines at Eden Park, the All Stars match returns on February 13, the 2015 premiership kicks off from March 5, there will be a stand-alone representative weekend (May 1-3), the State of Origin series (May 27, June 17, July 8) and the NRL finals series from September 11.
The grand final will be played on October 4.
Joining Inglis and Johnson at Thursday's Auckland launch will be Australian captain Cameron Smith, New Zealand skipper Simon Mannering, NSW centre Josh Morris and All Stars favourite Johnathan Thurston.
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