Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors Prediction
28/02/2025|SB Staff|NRL Expert Predictions & Tips
The wait is nearly over! The first official game of the 2025 NRL season proper will take place this Sunday.
The Canberra Raiders and the New Zealand Warriors have the honour of raising the curtain for season 2025 and they get to do it in Las Vegas no less.
That’s right after last year’s resounding success the Vegas games are back. This game will be the first of a stateside double-header that will take place a week before the rest of round 1 kicks off.
After both missing the finals last season, the Raiders and the Warriors will both be desperate to get off to a flyer in 2025, but there can only be one winner.
Let’s take a look at how we think both teams will line up for this season's opener, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer and over/under markets.
Raiders vs Warriors Round 1 Teams
Canberra Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Savelio Tamale
3. Matt 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 Papalii
17. Ata Mariota
New Zealand Warriors
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Taine Tuaupiki
3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
4. Ali Leiataua
5. Edward Kosi
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Luke Metcalf
8. Mitchell Barnett
9. Wayde Egan
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Jackson Ford
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Erin Clark
14. Dylan Walker
15. Marata Niukore
16. Bunty Afoa
17. Demitric Vaimauga
Raiders vs Warriors Prediction and Betting Tips
Head-to-Head Prediction
The H2H odds currently have the Warriors installed as the favourites here, but we think there are more than enough reasons to pick the value play and side with the Raiders here.
New Zealand have been gutted in terms of experience with over 500 first grade games hanging up the boots in the form of Shaun Johnson and Tohu Harris.
They’ve also lost Addin Fonua-Blake who is one of the best props in the game as well as one of the highest paid, to the Sharks.
With such drastic changes across the Tasman, it’s tough to back the Warriors out the gate.
The Raiders have a slew of young guns who should be ready to take things to the next level this season as well as a fully fit and firing Jamal Fogarty back on deck, who has missed a lot of games through injury since moving to the nation’s capital.
Don’t let the alleged Vegas hotel biff between Morgan Smithies and Hudson Young put you off, that just means they have plenty of energy they need to get out.
Betting tip: Canberra Raiders.
First Try Scorer Prediction
Both backlines are riddled with fullbacks disguised as wingers and centres. Chevy Stewart, Sebastain Kris and Xaver Savage have all played No.1 at different points for the Green Machine, as have Taine Tuaupiki and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for the Warriors.
Any of these explosive outside backs are a great shout for the first try scorer market, but for us, we like the look of Xavier Savage, who has speed for days.
Betting tip: Xavier Savage.
Over/Under Prediction
With so much attacking talent spread across both teams surely there will be plenty of points in this one.
Add in the fact both sides will be desperate to put on a show worthy of Las Vegas as the league looks to win over a new legion of international fans, and over total match points becomes mighty appealing indeed.
Betting tip: Over total match points.
Raiders vs Warriors Match Details
Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Kick-off: 11:00am AEDT.
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.