NRL Round 1 – Vegas

By Stephen Gallagher

SUNDAY: Raiders V Warriors – Allegiant Stadium – 1300NZT

Mate, rugba leeg is back! Tickets have been purchased in all 50 US states, and a 40,000 crowd is expected for Vegas Year 2!

And the Raiders are kicking it off against the Warriors in what I think is a coin-flip game.

The Raiders have the upside of experience in key positions, but their trial form wasn’t a lot to write home about if you take what you saw as gospel.

The Wahs need to start 2025 with a win. The pure disappointment of 2024 will haunt them if they don’t.

The FishNet (James Fisher-Harris/Mitch Barnett) Co-Captain combo is a one-two punch up front that will free up CHT and Metcalf.

I expect Canberra to be gritty and tough.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

Panthers V Sharks – Allegiant Stadium – 1730NZT

The Panthers start their campaign to go back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back against the side they knocked out of the preliminary finals.

A couple of injury concerns won’t be a concern in the long run, but the Panthers are starting off with 11 of their 17 Grand Final winners from 2024.

Cronulla have to have a bit of attitude this year. A lot of pressure on them to succeed with the players they have on their roster.

I think the Sharks actually take this one, too. Penrith are slow starters, and the Sharks need to jump the gun and get things going from day one.

Looking for lots of impact up front from Addin Fonua-Blake.

TIP: Sharks 1-12