Evan Psarras previews the Las Vegas round of the 2025 NRL Premiership.
The wait is over and the NRL season has arrived. Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas will host a double header and reports indicate that president Donald Trump may be in attendance. The Warriors and Raiders find themselves in a similar situation heading into the season. Both have had multiple experienced players leave or retire and neither are expected to finish in the top 8. Fisher-Harris replaces Fonua-Blake at prop for the Warriors in the most notable change with RTS and Tuaupiki to line up on the wings. Corey Horsbrough will partner Tapine in the Raiders engine room with Kaeo Weekes handed the fullback jersey.
Head To Head
There has been very little between these two for the better part of a decade with the H2H from 2015 onwards reading 10-10. The ‘home team’ has won 5 of the last 6 with both teams winning their respective home game in the two meetings last season. Only 1 of the last 6 clashes have produced 42+ total points with four of those games decided by a margin of 8 points or less. Interestingly, 2 of the last have gone to golden point with the Warriors winning both of those matches by the same scoreline, 21-20.
Stats That Matter
The Warriors have a history of being slow out of the blocks. They have won only 4 of their last 14 opening round matches which includes losses in 3 of their last 4. The Raiders on the other hand have won 5 of their last 6 Round 1 matches and were dominant 28-12 winners over the Knights to begin last season. This may be a neutral venue, but the Warriors are 1-4 both straight up and at the line in their last 5 as a favourite away from New Zealand. The Raiders ended last season on a high with wins in their last 3 and were able to get their defence in order as indicated by a 4-0 Under record in their last 4.
Prediction
With Rapana and Whitehead no longer in the nation’s capital, the Raiders finally have a more youthful side. There is no shortage of speed in their backline and they have a significant edge here courtesy of Fogarty’s kicking game. Meanwhile, the Warriors have three players (CNK, RTS and Tuaupiki) whose best position is fullback. Te Maire Martin was their best player last season but cannot get a run with Harris-Tevita to partner Metcalf in the halves. The Green machine are more dangerous on the edge with Young and Hosking – the latter of whom I believe will have an enormous year. Raiders in a close one.
Tips
Best Bet: Raiders +2.5 ($1.90)
Same Game Multi: Raiders 1-12, Under 43.5 points, Hosking Anytime Tryscorer ($25.87)
The Panthers continued their reign as the dominant force in the NRL by winning a 4th consecutive premiership. The big question heading into 2025 is how many more players can they lose before they are dethroned??? Luai and Fisher-Harris are the latest to make way with the likes of Jack Cole, Blaze Talagi and Isaiah Papali’i tasked with replacing them. The Sharks added Fonua-Blake in the offseason and have the advantage of continuity in key positions.
Head To Head
They last faced off in the preliminary finals last season with the Panthers winning 26-6. It was the 7th consecutive clash that the Panthers held the Sharks to fewer than 20 points with the Cronulla side averaged a mediocre 6.7ppg across those matches. The Panthers have held them to nil in 3 of the last 6 encounters which suggests the Shark will do it tough here. Alamoti scored 3 tries in his 2 battles against the Sharks last season with Liam Martin crossing for a try in 2 of his last 3 in this series.
Stats That Matter
Fatigue and World Club Challenge commitments contributed to the Panthers losing in the opening round in each of the last two years. With fewer commitments this time around we should see them at their best from the outset. The Sharks have a terrible 2-9 Round 1 record in the last 11 years and must find a way to compete with a side that has beaten them in each of the last four meetings. The Panthers defence is impenetrable and it was on full display in the closing stages last season with the Under going 6-0 in their final 6 games. Moreover, the Panthers have consistently relied on their defence early in the season. Under is 7-0 in their last 7 Round 1 matches with none of those games topping 40 total match points.
Prediction
With Atkinson, Talakai, Hamlin-Uele and Hazelton on the interchange, the Sharks have one of the strongest benches in the competition. As good as it is, how far they go this season will depend on their halves and Kennedy at fullback who has failed to add the necessary spark in recent years. People tend to forget that Nathan Cleary missed most of the regular season in 2024 and without Luai by his side will be given even more responsibility. Hynes is yet to reclaim the form that made him an Origin representative, and this is not a matchup that he has enjoyed in the past. Panthers to start their title defence with a win.
Tips
Best Bet: Panthers -2.5 ($1.90)
Same Game Multi: Panthers WIN, Alamoti Anytime Tryscorer, Under 40.5 points ($1.90)