ROUND 1, 2025 SUNDAY MARCH 2
Canberra Raiders vs. New Zealand Warriors at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 11.00am AEDT
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
Insight
Ricky Stuart has named his strongest possible lineup, with Zac Hosking overcoming a calf injury to take his place in the squad. Rookie Owen Pattie is set to make his NRL debut off the bench after an impressive pre-season challenge, while Ethan Strange and Jamal Fogarty form the halves pairing. Savelio Tamale will play his second NRL game on the wing, as Albert Hopoate remains in Australia for the birth of his child. Meanwhile, Corey Horsburgh starts at prop alongside Joseph Tapine, with veteran Josh Papalii shifting to the bench.
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
The Warriors have named a formidable front-row pairing in new recruit James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett, both of whom have representative experience. Chanel Harris-Tavita gets the first shot at five-eighth alongside Luke Metcalf, pushing Te Maire Martin to the extended bench. Taine Tuaupiki fills in on the wing for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who is sidelined with a nasty pre-season wrist injury. Meanwhile, with former captain Tohu Harris unavailable, new recruit Erin Clark takes the No.13 jersey. On the bench, Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima have been included, while Jacob Laban misses out.
Referees: Grant Atkins; Side line Officials: Phil Henderson, Dave Munro; Video Referees: Gerard Sutton;
Penrith Panthers vs. Cronulla Sharks at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 3.30am AEDT
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. Isaah 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
Insight
Ivan Cleary has decided against pairing Jesse McLean with his brother Casey, instead selecting Paul Alamoti to replace the injured Brian To’o (hamstring) on the wing, while Luke Garner starts in the centres. This move isn’t entirely surprising, as Cleary has previously favored second-rowers as fill-in centres over younger, developing players like McLean, valuing their defensive reliability. Garner also has the agility to handle the role.
Meanwhile, Lindsay Smith faces the challenge of stepping into James Fisher-Harris’ spot in the starting pack, while star recruit Isaiah Papali’i will begin from the bench. Luron Patea joins the interchange as a fresh face, with Liam Henry (shoulder) still unavailable.
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
No Sione Katoa (shoulder) sees Sam Stonestreet come in on the wing while Jesse Ramien (ankle) is good to go after missing the preliminary final loss to Penrith last year. His return bumps Siosifa Talakai to the bench. Unlike Papali’i, Cronulla’s star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake is right into the starting line-up.
Referees: Ashley Klein; Side line Officials: Wyatt Raymond, Matt Noyen; Video Referees: Liam Kennedy;
ENTERTAINMENT
The NRL has locked in three music acts to perform at rugby league’s return to Las Vegas with Australian and New Zealand musicians to headline the entertainment. It is reported Multi-ARIA award winner Conrad Sewell will have multiple performances throughout the week.
Sewell will be joined at Allegiant Stadium by LA-based Australian DJs the Stafford Brothers who are returning to Las Vegas for the second straight year. Kiwi hip-hop king Savage will also perform.
All three artists will perform sets during the week at the NRL’s Fan Fest at Resorts World in Las Vegas as well as lighting up the main stage on game day.
TIPS.
I like Wigan, Raiders with a 5.5 points start, ]$1.71],Aussie women, and the Sharks with a 5.5 points start,[$1.71]
I take the points start as it is early season, and I like to win.
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