It’s Vegas Baby!
NRL heads to the ‘glitter strip’ for the second year running, and much like the inaugural year, the week showcases the great game, with a 9s tournament, fan zones, international matches and, of course, the first two games of the 2025 Telstra NRL Season.
Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors
Not quite the impressive Round 1 record of the Storm, but the Raiders have won five of their past six season openers. Their only loss was in 2023 going down to the Cowboys 19-18.
The Warriors ‘big Fish’ will be hoping to emulate the feats of 2021 and 2022 when he enjoyed the ultimate success with coach Andrew Webster when he was an assistant at the Panthers. Fisher-Harris was a huge get for the Kiwi outfit, and despite missing DZW for the season opener and the retirement of Club legend Shaun Johnson, the Warriors go in as favourites. The new halves pairing of Luke Metcalf and Harris-Tavita will enjoy the support of Aussie prop Mitch Barnett, with Roger Tuivasa-Shexk set to wind back the clock on the wing, where he dominated some 12 years ago.
The Raiders need to overturn a poor road record from last season, winning only two of their last six to finish the season and having dropped three of their past four against the Raiders. The Warriors also had a poor travelling record in 2024, winning just four away from home.
Star Raider Hudson Young scores at ease against the Warriors with six tries in his past eight against them.
Warriors in a close one.
Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks
The Panthers’ quest for a fifth straight Premiership kicks off with a Preliminary Final rematch against the Sharkies.
Luai, Tunuva and Fisher-Harris have all left the Panthers, and Brian To’o misses through injury, so Isiah Yeo will need the likes of ‘wunderkind’ Casey McLean and, of course, legends Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards to get them rolling early.
Addin Fonus-Blake’s arrival at Shark Park has excited plenty, and this could be their best chance to beat the reigning premiers despite missing gun Sione Katoa.
History is against the Sharks, however with only two wins from their past 11 opening games, losing eight of their past nine against the Panthers and dropping 96 points in their past three encounters!
Everything points to a Panthers win, but expect a close one under the lights in the city of sin.
