NRL 2025 – Round 2 preview and predictions
What an opening round it was. Two teams scored a half-century, the Premiers started their year with a narrow win in Las Vegas and the wooden spooners for the past three years unsurprisingly started with a loss.
And now, they get to do it all again this weekend. Except Melbourne of course, who’ll pick up two competition points without kicking a ball. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the round two fixtures…
Thursday 13th March – Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Form guide
The Knights started their year with a narrow 8-10 win over the Tigers in Sydney after trailing 8-0 at half-time. The big news to come out of Newcastle this week though was the signing of Dylan Brown from the Eels on the biggest contract in NRL history – $13m to be exact. Knights fans will have to wait until next year to see their new man in action, but at least he’ll solve the issue of their revolving door of half backs.
As for the Dolphins, they were on the wrong end of a two-point defeat in round one, as they were beaten by the Rabbitohs 16-14. The game was moved down to Sydney at short notice and a few Dolphins players pulled out, so credit to them for putting up such a good effort.
Team news
Adam Elliott is back for Newcastle, on the bench. That means Brodie Jones moves to 18th main in the only change from last weekend.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Adam Elliott 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones 19. Will Pryce 20. Logan Aoake 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Thomas Cant
Kodi Nikorima and Mark Nicholls are back in the Dolphins’ 17 after missing round one due to Cyclone Alfred. Kenny Bromwich also missed out for the same reason last week, and he’s back on the extended bench. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Connelly Lemuelu are both ruled out.
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Oryn Keeley 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Josh Kerr 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Max Feagai 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Harrison Graham 22. Aublix Tawha
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 14-10 Dolphins
I’m expecting this to be a tight contest, but with their home advantage and a win already on the board offering some momentum, I’m backing the Knights to edge it.
Betting tips
The Knights to win by 1-10 points looks good at 5/2.
Friday 14th March – New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles – Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Form guide
The Warriors were comfortably beaten 30-8 by the Raiders in Vegas in round one. The only positive is that they had last weekend off to review it and get more work done on the training pitch.
As for Manly, they were scintillating last weekend, beating the Cowboys 42-12, and they only conceded those points in the last eight minutes with the points already in the bag.
Team news
The Warriors’ 17 is the same as it was in Vegas, but Te Maire Martin has been named on the extended bench as they look to work out their best halves combination. Sam Healey comes in as 18th man.
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
There’s just one enforced change for Manly with Siosiua Taukeiaho missing out through injury. Josh Aloiai comes into the starting side.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Tommy Talau 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Jakob Arthur 22. Dean Matterson
My prediction – New Zealand Warriors 10-20 Manly Sea Eagles
After their respective performances in round one, it’s hard to see anything other than a Manly win. The Warriors could have trouble all year in the halves, while the Sea Eagles looked a class above North Queens;and last week.
Betting tips
Manly are 4/5 in the half-time/full-time market, which looks very tempting. They’re also 10/11 to win with a -8 handicap, and based on the round one results for both sides that looks too good to miss.
Friday 14th March – Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The reigning Premiers got off to a winning start in Vegas, although they were pushed all the way by the Sharks in their 28-22 win.
As for the Roosters, they had a night to forget, going down 14-50 at home to the Broncos in a very one-sided affair.
Team news
Brian To’o is back from a hamstring injury for Penrith, which means Paul Alamoti shifts to the centres and Luke Garner drops to the bench. Casey McLean starts again after going off early in Vegas with a head knock, while Jack Cole continues alongside Nathan Cleary in the halves.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luke Garner 18. Brad Schneider 19. Luron Patea 20. Liam Henry 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Thomas Jenkins
The Roosters lost Victor Radley to a concussion last week, so he’s unavailable for round two, which means a start for Salesi Foketi. Makahesi Makatoa joins the bench in his place, while Billy Smith has been named on the extended bench following injury.
Roosters team: 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. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Blake Steep 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Ethan Roberts 20. Ethan King 21. Max McCathie 22. Billy Smith
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 28-10 Sydney Roosters
I’m going a little conservative with this one, but I think it has the potential to get messy for the Chooks. The only saving grace I can see for them is that it’s early in the year and the Panthers can take a few weeks to get going. If this was round 10 though, I’d be backing Penrith by 30+.
Betting tips
The Panthers are just 1/16 to win, which must be a record for them or anyone for that matter, against the Roosters. I’m expecting Penrith to start strong and ease off later, so I’m tipping them to lead by 11-20 points at half time, which is priced at 7/4.
Saturday 15th March – St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Form guide
The Dragons kicked off their season with an eight-point loss against the Bulldogs, as they went down 20-28 at Kogarah.
The Rabbitohs, meanwhile, started off with a narrow 16-14 win over the Dolphins at CommBank in a very tight affair.
Team news
Blake Lawrie returns from injury for the Dragons in place of Ryan Couchman, who’s suffered an ACL injury. That’s the only change for St George, who have named Tyrell Sloan on the extended bench.
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart 18. Dylan Egan 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
The big news as far as the Rabbitohs’ team selection is concerned, is the absence of new recruit, Lewis Dodd. The Englishman was suspended for round one, but is available again this week. Jamie Humphreys has instead kept the number seven jumper. Meanwhile, Jack Wighton is suspended, with Fletcher Myers coming in for him and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape will make his NRL debut on the wing after Tyrone Munro was ruled out through injury.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Fletcher Myers 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Talanoa Penitani
My prediction – St George Illawarra Dragons 18-12 South Sydney Rabbitohs
I know the Bunnies picked up a win in round one, but I was far from convinced by them. As for the Dragons, I don’t see them as a top eight side right now, but I can see them picking up a win this weekend.
Betting tips
A Dragons win by 6-10 points looks a good shout at 9/2. For a bit more safety, a 1-10 margin is priced at 5/2, if you think it’ll be a bit tighter.
Saturday 15th March – North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks – Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Form guide
The Cowboys were a rabble last weekend, losing comprehensively to Manly, with a couple of late tries sparing them a whitewash in a 42-12 loss.
As for the Sharks, they had the weekend off following their Vegas exploits, where they went down very narrowly to Penrith, in a 28-22 defeat.
Team news
Jeremiah Nani has been dropped by the Cowboys in the headline team news, with new recruit Kai O’Donnell taking his place for his first appearance since returning to the NRL from Super League.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Jake Clifford 19. Jeremiah Nanai 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Jason Taumalolo
The Sharks are unchanged from 1-17 from their Las Vegas trip.
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 – North Queensland Cowboys 10-24 Cronulla Sharks
Despite being back at home, I can see another loss coming for the Cowboys. They were so bad in round one, while Cronulla were mightily impressive, so it’s hard to see anything other than an away win.
Betting tips
The Sharks with either a -8 handicap at 10/11, or with a -6.5 handicap at 4/5, both look pretty likely.
Saturday 15th March – Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos – GIO Stadium, Canberra
Form guide
The Raiders were very impressive in Las Vegas, when they saw off the Warriors, 30-8, a couple of weeks ago.
Brisbane were even better last weekend though, running out 14-50 winners over the Roosters in Sydney.
Team news
Xavier Savage and Joe Tapine are both absent for the Raiders through suspension, which means Albert Hopoate and Matty Nicholson come in, and there’s been a slight reshuffle in the forward pack. For Nicholson, it’ll be an NRL debut following his move from Warrington Wolves.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Corey Horsburgh 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Matt Nicholson 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Trey Mooney 20. Chevy Stewart 21. Michael Asomua 22. Ethan Sanders
Unsurprisingly, the Broncos have named an unchanged 17 from last weekend.
Broncos team: 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. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Jock Madden
My prediction – Canberra Raiders 12-22 Brisbane Broncos
Given both teams’ impressive displays in round one, this is a tough one to call. I’m going for the Broncos though, simply because I can see them being in and around the top four all year, which means they’ll be looking to win games like this. I can’t say the same for Canberra, but time will tell.
Betting tips
The Broncos are just 1/4, which seems a little harsh, so Canberra with a +12 handicap looks a good shout at 10/11. Selwyn Cobbo looks a shoo-in to score a try any time at 1/2 after his hat-trick last week. For better value, he’s 6/1 to score first.
Sunday 16th March – Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The last time these two sides met in round 27 last year, it was the battle of the ‘Spoon Bowl’, to avoid finishing rock bottom. Parramatta’s 60-26 win meant they finished a miserable year on a high and consigned the Tigers to a third-straight finish in last place, but how much have they improved since then?
If the Eels’ performance in Melbourne is anything to go by, then not very much. They were stuffed 56-18 by the Storm, who ran in eight tries before half-time. The fact Parra won the second half 12-10 won’t have cut too much ice with supporters, and it’s unlikely to have signalled the start of a momentum shift.
As for the Tigers, they also lost, but at least it was in better fashion. They went down 8-10 to the Knights, although they did throw away an 8-0 half-time lead.
Team news
New coach Jason Ryles has already swung the axe at Parramatta after just one game in charge. Kelma Tuilagi and Jake Tago have been dropped completely, while Charlie Guymer has been dropped from the 17, but named on the extended bench. Shaun Lane, Jordan Samrani and Kitione Kautoga all come in. For Samrani, it’ll be an NRL debut.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jordan Samrani 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Jack Williams 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Dan Keir 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Joey Lussick 22. Charlie Guymer
Api Koroisau is back from suspension for the Tigers, Jahream Bula is back from injury, and Starford To’a is also back. Tristan Hope, Solomona Faataape and Heath Mason all miss out on the 17.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Charlie Staines 19. Latu Fainu 20. Tristan Hope 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 12-10 Wests Tigers
To call this a defining game in round two would be silly, but there’s something about this match which says to me that the losers will be in for a long, hard season, while the winners might just have something to build on. For me, this game’s a 50/50 call, but I’m going for the Eels with the home advantage.
Betting tips
The Tigers are odds-on favourites in this one, which is a little surprising, although on paper they do have the stronger team. On that basis, the Eels to win would be my shout, at 5/4.
Sunday 16th March – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans – Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Form guide
The Bulldogs got off to a winning start in week one with a 20-28 win over the Dragons.
As for the Titans, they had the bye, which means two points already on the board and a squad with no knocks from round one to contend with.
Team news
Josh Curran returns from suspension for the Bulldogs in place of Harry Hayes, in the only change from last weekend.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Josh Curran 17. Jaeman Salmon 19. Harry Hayes 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua
There’s a few headlines from the Titans’ first lineup of the year. David Fifita only starts on the bench, while Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is in the starting side after missing almost the whole of 2024 through injury. There’ll be an NRL debut off the bench for Brock Gray, too. The 28-year-old has over 100 NSW Cup games to his name, and now makes his first grade debut.
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Brock Gray 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Arama Hau 20. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui 21. Tom Weaver 22. Tony Francis
My prediction – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30-12 Gold Coast Titans
The Bulldogs are my dark horses for the Premiership this year, so a home game against a Titans side I expect to see in the bottom four should be one of the more routine assignments they’ll face in 2025.
Betting tips
The Bulldogs with any sort of handicap looks too good to miss. It’s 11/10 with a -10, and 5/4 with a -12, which both look good to me. Despite the fact I can’t see the Titans winning, Alofiana Khan-Pereira to score any time looks a good shout at evens. The winger has 44 tries in 44 games in first grade, so he’s their most obvious threat.
