NRL
  • Home
  • NRL

Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors Tips - Warriors play their cards right in NRL opener in Las Vegas

jeremy-darke
Editor
Last updated: 27 Feb 2025
Listen
Jeremy Darke 27 Feb 2025
Share this article
Or copy link
  • Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 1 NRL game
  • Kick off is at 11:00 AM (AEDT) at Allegiant Stadium
  • Both teams have defensive vulnerabilities away from home.
  • Expect a high-scoring game with Hudson Young likely to score for the Raiders.
Tips for the NRL season opener between the Raiders vs Warriors.

Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors, Round 1 2025 - Expert Prediction


The Warriors will have luck on their side in Vegas and get the first win of the NRL season, beating Canberra in a high-scoring thriller at Allegiant Stadium.
  • Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors, Round 1 2025 - Expert Prediction
  • Head to Head 
  • Canberra Raiders Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Canberra Raiders Team News
  • Canberra Raiders Team List
  • New Zealand Warriors Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • New Zealand Warriors Team News
  • New Zealand Warriors Team List
  • Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors NRL 2025 Round 1 FAQ’s

These matchups are all about who handles the situation and environment the best and the Warriors have kept their noses clean heading into the match in Vegas, with the Canberra boys getting into a bit of trouble already. 

New Zealand have a lot to prove after a disappointing 2024 season and will now be led by James Fisher-Harris who brings his 4-time Premiership winning experience to a club that is in the midst of a generational shift. 

The Warriors have gotten the better of the Raider over the past couple of seasons and that trend is expected to continue in Vegas. Both teams were poor defensively away from their home stadiums and with the bright lights of the strip glimmering, expect both teams attack to entertain the fans. 

Hudson Young will be out to attack the edge of the Warriors and with a 75% strike rate in opening rounds for the Raiders, expect the back rower to cross for a try. 

  • Warriors have won 3 of the last 4 matches against the Raiders
  • Warriors have won 8 of their last 9 games as favourite against the Raiders.
  • Both teams conceded an average of 26 points as the away team in 2024.
  • Hudson Young has scored in 3 of his last 4 season openers

Head to Head 


The Warriors and Raiders split the chocolates in 2024 with both teams winning on their home soil. 

New Zealand have been the better side in recent matchups winning 3 of the last 4 and 5 of the past 8 matches against Canberra. 

Canberra Raiders Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form (2024)
Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
3-23-21-4

Canberra ended 2024 with three consecutive wins, beating Penrith, Sydney and St George and will hope to ride that momentum wave into Vegas against the Warriors. You can take what you want out of preseason form where the Raiders went 1-1.

Not a lot has changed in Canberra and that could be their biggest strength heading into the opening rounds of the NRL 2025 season. 

They have a very young core with plenty of talents like Ethan Strange, Kaeo Weekes and Xavier Savage, but struggle to get consistent performances week in and week out. Blowouts were a big deal for Canberra, who found themselves losing all of their wind when the game was out of reach. 

2024 Betting Trends
ATSOver/Under1-1213+
14-1010-148-44-8

Canberra Raiders Team News


Kaeo Weekes retains the spot he earned at fullback in the later rounds of 2024, while Tom Starling has also earned his spot as the starting hooker. 

Corey Horsburgh has bulked up and will start at prop with Joseph Tapine as Josh Papali’i will make his impact off the bench. 

Canberra will have speed and power in their backrow with Hudson Young, Zac Hosking and Morgan Smithies closing out the pack.

Canberra Raiders Team List


1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Savelio Tamale
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Seb Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Corey Horsburgh
9. Tom Starling
10. Joe Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Zac Hosking
13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange
14. Owen Pattie
15. Simi Sasagi
16. Josh Papali'i 
17. Ata Mariota

Reserves
18. Danny Levi
19. Trey Mooney
20. Ethan Sanders
21. Chevy Stewart
22. Jed Stuart

New Zealand Warriors Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form (2024)
Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
1-43-23-2

After an exceptional 2023, the Warriors were probably the biggest disappointment in the 2024 season, unable to mirror their defensive strengths that they had the previous season, eventually finishing in 13 with just 9 wins. 

A lot has changed over the Tasman and it is a new era once again as the Warriors adjust without their cult-hero Shaun Johnson in the squad. A new fearless leader in James Fisher Harris has joined the troops and will be an inspiration to a pack that will need some fire in 2025 if they are going to return to the finals. 

A positive in the preseason was a classy first-half performance, albeit against a severely under-manned Storm side, where the Warriors played close to a full-strength squad and led at the break 36-0 before resting their starters. 

2024 Betting Trends
ATSOver/Under1-1213+
11-1311-136-83-6

New Zealand Warriors Team News


There is plenty going on for New Zealand compared with last season with the well documented departures of Shaun Johnson and Addin Fonua-Blake as the big ones. 

Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Metcalf will be the halves pairing for the Warriors, while the recruitment of proud Kiwi James Fisher-Harris fills the hole left by Blake. 

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moves from the centres to the wing for the opening round, while Erin Clark is a surprise starter at lock. 

New Zealand Warriors Team List


1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Taine Tuaupiki
3. Ali Leiataua
4. Adam Pompey 
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Luke Metcalf
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Wayde Egan
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Marata Niukore
13. Erin Clark

Interchange
14. Dylan Walker 
15. Jackson Ford
16. Demitric Vaimauga
17. Leka Halasima

Reserves
18. Samuel Healey
20. Te Maire Martin
21. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
22. Bunty Afoa
23. Edward Kosi

Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors NRL 2025 Round 1 FAQ’s

How to watch Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors NRL 2025 Round 1?

You can watch the Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors NRL 2025 Round 1 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors NRL 2025 Round 1?

To buy tickets to the Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors NRL 2025 Round 1 game check the NRL website or the official Canberra Raiders site.

Verdict

The Warriors will get the first win of the NRL in a match that goes over the 42.5-point game total.
Hudson Young has scored in 3 of 4 season openers and will cross for the Raiders.
Best Bet1: New Zealand Warriors Money Line $1.72 at picklebet - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Over 42.5 Game Total $1.92 at Marantellibet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Hudson Young Anytime Tryscorer $3.10 at betr - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Hudson Young First Tryscorer $15.00 at betr - 1 Unit
New Zealand Warriors
Money Line
$1.72 - 3 Units
Same Game & Race Multis
Use affiliate code BETSAU

Exciting new betting app now live. Use code BETSAU on sign-up. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Imagine what you could be buying instead.

Bet at picklebet
Over 42.5
Game Total
$1.92 - 2 Units
Australian Owned for 50 Years
Referral Code: BETS

18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Marantellibet
Hudson Young
Anytime Tryscorer
$3.10 - 1 Unit
Fastest Betting App
For Racing Fans

Join Australia's newest online bookmaker with code BETSAU and enjoy exciting new ways to bet. The app is among the fastest in the market. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at betr
Hudson Young
First Tryscorer
$15.00 - 1 Unit
Fastest Betting App
For Racing Fans

Join Australia's newest online bookmaker with code BETSAU and enjoy exciting new ways to bet. The app is among the fastest in the market. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at betr

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Betting Slip | 02 Mar 2025

Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors