<p>The Vegas games for 2025 are now in the bank, with the Raiders and the Panthers enjoying the spolis stateside.&nbsp;</p> <p>Now it's time to fly back home, unpack the suitcase and focus on the rest of NRL round 1 which will take place on Aussie soil.&nbsp;</p> <p>With so much off-season activity, particularly in the coaches’ boxes, there are plotlines galore heading into the rest of NRL round 1.</p> <p>We figured you’ll need some help deciphering these aforementioned plotlines, that’s why we’re back with our expert NRL tips and predictions.</p> <p>For the latest news, analysis, odds and betting advice, check out our NRL round 1 tips and predictions below.</p>

<h2>Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, March 6, 8:00pm AEDT – Allianz Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The first of the regular round one games see the Roosters welcome the Broncos to Allianz Stadium.</p> <p>Two teams tipped for opposite trajectories in 2025. The Roosters have lost a truly eye watering amount of top tier talent.</p> <p>Joseph Suaali'i (rugby union), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Hull KR), Joseph Manu (rugby union), Luke Keary (Catalans), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs) and Terrell May (Wests Tigers) have all bid fare thee well to the Tri-colours.</p> <p>It’s nearly impossible to replace that amount of talent in one off-season and we’re tipping them to struggle in this game and throughout the entire 2025 season.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/sydney-roosters-v-brisbane-broncos-8721501">Brisbane Broncos.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Deine Mariner first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, March 7, 6:00pm AEDT – Campbelltown Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Once again, the Tigers couldn’t have really recruited any better heading into a new NRL season.</p> <p>Jarome Luai (Panthers), Sunia Turuva (Panthers), Jeral Skelton (Bulldogs), Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks), Jack Bird (Dragons), Terrell May (Roosters) all join the fold, with the signing of Luai in particular a big one for Benji’s boys.</p> <p>While a slew of serious signings couldn’t save them from a third straight spoon last year, surely 2025 is where it finally sticks.</p> <p>They get to kick things off in round 1 with a home game against Newcastle, one they will fancy their chances of winning.</p> <p>In addition to rating Wests’ new recruits, we also don’t like the look of the Knights predicted halves pairing to start the year.</p> <p>A lot of the Novocastrians attacking impetus will fall on the shoulders of Kalyn Ponga and without adequate support the superstar fullback can only do so much.</p> <p>Yes, do not adjust your screens, we’re tipping the Tigers!</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/wests-tigers-v-newcastle-knights-8721502">Wests Tigers.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Lachlan Galvin anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, March 7, 8:05pm AEDT – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>NRL round 1 sees Wayne Bennett return straight to Redcliffe, well Brisbane, but close enough.</p> <p>That’s right, the Rabbits will take on the Bennett’s old boys the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium to start their season.</p> <p>Neither the Bunnies nor the Dolphins are tipped for greatness this season, but the odds are truly stacked against the Cardinal and Myrtle now after losing both Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray to long term injuries on the eve of the new season.</p> <p>They’ve also lost Damien Cook to the Dragons, meaning it will be a nearly unrecognisable team that will run out at Lang Park. A team the Dolphins will fancy their chances of overcoming.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/dolphins-v-south-sydney-rabbitohs-8721503">The Dolphins.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM – Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jake Averillo anytime try scorers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 8, 5:30pm AEDT – Jubilee Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dragons join the Tigers and the Roosters as one of the three sides who have undergone the biggest off-season transformation.</p> <p>Clint Gutherson (Eels), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys) and Damien Cook (Rabbitohs) have all signed on for season 2025 and the signs are already looking promising.</p> <p>All three have impressed in the trials, as has young winger Sione Finau who grabbed four, as his side claimed victory over the Rabbitohs in the Charity Shield.</p> <p>Their round 1 opponents the Bulldogs were one of the more impressive sides in 2024, particularly in the defensive department, so this should make for a fascinating faceoff.</p> <p>We’re going to lean into the positive narrative around the Dragons at the moment, despite being burned before. That being said, either way, there won’t be much in this one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-v-canterbury-bulldogs-8721504">St George Dragons.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Sione Finau first try scorer.</p>

<h2>Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 8, 7:35pm AEDT – Brookvale Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This game has the potential to be the biggest sleeper hit of round 1. Two teams with plenty of attacking weapons that have the tendency to oscillate between the sublime and the ridiculous.</p> <p>We’re going to let the H2H odds guide us here, meaning where siding with Manly, but our prediction for punters is that we think there will be plenty of points in this one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-v-nth-queensland-cowboys-8721505">Manly Sea Eagles.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Over total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, March 9, 4:05pm AEDT – AAMI Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of NRL round 1 sees the new look Eels take on round 1 specialists the Melbourne Storm.</p> <p>It’s Parramatta who have drawn the short straw this season as it has been over 22 years since the Storm lost their opening match of an NRL season.</p> <p>To put it simply we can’t see the Eels, who are undergoing somewhat of a rebuild at the moment, to be the ones to end one of the most impressive NRL records of the modern era.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-parramatta-eels-8721507">Melbourne Storm.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Big win, little win – Melbourne 13+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Titans – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Titans will have to wait one more week before their pre-season is over. No doubt they’re itching to get out there, but we suspect they won’t have too many complaints with the free competition points on offer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>