NRL 2025 – Round 1 preview and predictions – Las Vegas
And just like that, the NRL is back after what feels like an eternity. We’ve had two weekends of Super League to whet the appetite, and now it’s time for the world’s best to get their season underway.
And where better to kick things off than in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas?
There are two games to get us started this weekend before the rest of the competition gets underway Down Under next week, so let’s dive straight in and check out the four sides doing battle in Vegas…
Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
12.00am UK time, 4pm local time, 11am AEDT
The 2025 NRL season kicks off with two sides who missed out on the top eight in 2024 – the Raiders and the Warriors.
Canberra just missed out, finishing ninth on the ladder, meaning no finals footy for the first time since 2021.
As for the Warriors, top eight finishes have been more of a rarity in recent years, but after a hugely impressive campaign in 2023, when they finished fourth, last season was an underwhelming one as they dropped to 13th.
Form guide
Obviously, with this being round one it’s hard to gauge either team’s form, except for their pre-season trial matches.
The Raiders beat the Panthers 22-16 in their first trial, although both teams were severely under strength, then a team that looked much more like their starting 17 this year were well beaten by a strong Sharks side, 40-10.
As for the Warriors, they were unbeaten in their two trial games. A 12-12 draw with the Sharks was followed by an impressive 36-10 win over Melbourne Storm.
Team news
Canberra Raiders have named a near full-strength side, with Albert Hopoate the only major absentee as he stayed behind in Australia for the birth of his child.
Kaeo Weekes will be the Raiders’ new starting fullback following the departure of Jordan Rapana. New arrival Matty Nicholson has missed out on the squad despite being available.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Trey Mooney 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Chevy Stewart 22. Jed Stuart
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is the only major absentee for the Warriors, who have new recruit James Fisher-Harris in the front row alongside Mitch Barnett.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Samuel Healey 20. Te Maire Martin 21. Eddie Ieremia 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Edward Kosi
My prediction – Canberra Raiders 16-20 New Zealand Warriors
This one could be anything, with both clubs naming strong sides and both having some weaknesses in my opinion.
I’m backing the Warriors though, purely because I think their forward pack will offer a bit more grunt than the Raiders’ one.
Betting tips
Raiders winger Xavier Savage is priced at 5/4 to score a try at any time, and that looks too good to miss.
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
4.30am UK time, 8.30pm local time, 3.30pm AEDT
The reigning Premiers, Penrith, will finish the day’s action with a clash against last year’s fourth-placed team, Cronulla Sharks.
The Panthers have created a dynasty in recent years, securing a fourth-straight Premiership in 2024 with a 14-6 win over Melbourne Storm in the Grand Final.
As for the Sharks, they’ve become a fixture in the top eight under coach Craig Fitzgibbon, but now they need to take the next step and secure a first Premiership since 2016.
Form guide
The Panthers lost their opening pre-season trial against the Raiders, 16-22, with an under strength team. In their second game, they beat Manly 38-22, again with an under strength side.
As for the Sharks, they drew 12-12 with the Warriors before a comfortable 40-10 win over the Raiders.
Team news
Brian To’o is the only major absentee for Penrith, with Paul Alamoti replacing him on the wing. Isaiah Papali’i is in line to make his debut from the bench, but Jack Cole has been preferred to Blaize Talagi in the halves.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi
Sione Katoa is missing for Cronulla, so Sam Stonestreet comes in on the wing. Otherwise, it’s a full-strength lineup for the Sharks, who’ll have new recruit Addin Fonua-Blake starting at prop.
Sharks team: 1.William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 16-12 Cronulla Sharks
Again, with no form to go on it’s hard to get a gauge of where both sides are at, and the Panthers did lose their opening game last year. As defending Premiers though, I can’t back against them, especially with a near full-strength side.
Betting tips
The Panthers to win by 1-10 points looks nicely priced at 9/4.
