NRL
  • Home
  • NRL

New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders NRL Round 2 Tips - Death, taxes and Raiders games 1-12

jeremy-darke
Editor
Last updated: Wed 11 Mar 2026 08:22

In the upcoming NRL 2026 Round 2 match, the New Zealand Warriors face the Canberra Raiders at Go Media Stadium. Both teams are currently seen as equal favorites, making the match tight with a predicted 1-12 point margin. The Warriors recently defeated the Roosters decisively, while the Raiders narrowly beat the Sea Eagles. Expect a low-scoring match, with history suggesting a game total under 46.5 points. Notably, Leka Halasima is tipped to be a strong anytime try scorer.

Jeremy Darke 11 Mar 2026
Share this article
Or copy link
  • New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders expert predictions for Friday’s Round 2 NRL game
  • Kick off is at 6:00 PM (AEDT) at Go Media Stadium
  • Expect a 1-12 point margin in this close contest.
  • Leka Halasima is a promising anytime try scorer off the bench.
Expired
Article Details Article Content Recommendation Event SEO Schema Image Summary & Suggestions Audio Preview New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders NRL Round 2 Tips
Article Details Article Content Recommendation Event SEO Schema Image Summary & Suggestions Audio Preview New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders NRL Round 2 Tips

New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders, Round 2 2026 - Expert Prediction


The Warriors will break their losing trend against the Raiders and get their second win at home at Go Media in two weeks, however, this mistake has been made before backing against Canberra so either team 1-12 is the play.
The Raiders have won the last 3 matches against the Warriors, however, I was more impressed by what the New Zealand halves did in tearing apart the Roosters last week than the slim victory for Canberra. 

This is a fence sitter even for the bookies who have both teams as equal favourites, unable to split them, so why should we. The certainty is that Raiders games finish with 1-12 margins and so do Warriors games at Go Media, so that is what I will be on and can spend Friday evening cheering for both.

Low scoring games between these two and also at Go Media is the trend on the total so this early in the season that is what I will also be following, especially with it sitting as high as 46.5 points.

For a value play at the anytime try scorer market I am looking no further than cult-hero Leka Halasima. The Warriors second rower crossed last week coming off the bench as an impact player and I am backing him to do the same. 

  • 15 Raiders games in 2025 and 1 in 2026 finished with a 1-12 margin.
  • 8 of 11 Warriors games at Go Media Stadium in 2025 finished with a 1-12 margin.
  • 8 of the last 10 matches between New Zealand and Canberra have gone under the game total.
  • 7 of 11 Warriors matches at Go Media went under the game total in 2025.
  • Leka Halasima scored 13 tries in 2025 and scored in the opener against the Roosters.

Head to Head Stats


Canberra won both meetings against New Zealand last season. A 30-8 victory in Vegas got the 2025 Minor Premiers started and they followed it up with a grinding 16-10 victory at Go Media Stadium in Round 12. 

The previous 4 matches between the Warriors and Raiders have gone to the under on the game total and also 8 of the last 10. 

Warriors Atk RankRaiders Def RankStatRaiders Atk Rank
Warriors Def Rank
39Points66
85Run Mts94
37Linebreaks511
313Comp %54

New Zealand Warriors Form Analysis & Team News


The Warriors couldn't have started 2026 any better, crushing the Sydney Roosters 42-18 in their season opener in Auckland.

An attack that struggled for most of the year, averaging just 21 points (ranked 12th in NRL) responded in the first match of the new season scoring 7 tries. The criticism was against the halves pairing without Luke Metcalf but both Tanah Boyd and Chanel Harris-Tavita both crossing against the Chooks, and also creating for their outside backs. 

Boyd finished with 1 try, a line break, 2 line break assists and 2 try assists, while Harris Tavita had a couple of tries and a try assist, a line break and assisted two. A decent stat sheet for them both. 

New Zealand Warriors Team News


The Warriors have named an unchanged side from that that took care of the Roosters last weekend. 

New Zealand Warriors Team List


1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 
3. Ali Leiataua 
4. Adam Pompey
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 
7. Tanah Boyd 
8. James Fisher-Harris (c)
9. Wayde Egan
10. Jackson Ford
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Jacob Laban
13. Erin Clark

Interchange
14. Sam Healey
15. Demitric Vaimauga
16. Leka Halasima
17. Jackson Ford
18. Taine Tuaupiki
19. Morgon Gannon

Canberra Raiders Form Analysis & Team News


The Raiders did it again in Round 1, just as they did all season long in 2025 on their way to the Minor Premiership, escaping with another tight victory 29-28 over the Sea Eagles after Canberra’s defence disappeared in the final 10 minutes.

After the departure of Jamal Fogarty a cloud of uncertainty hung over new No. 7 Ethan Sanders, however it was the 22-year-old who came up clutch and slotted the 1-pointer in golden point to seal a standard 1-12 victory for the Raiders.

For the opening match of the round the Raiders halves looked decent and gave early ball to their backs. Noah Martin found his place in the second-row, running the hard lines and breaking many twice for two tries, while Xavier savage also crossed for a double on the wing.

Canberra Raiders Team News


Morgan Smithies will start at prop with Josh Papalii in concussion protocol. 

Matt Timoko comes in in the No. 17 for the Raiders.

Canberra Raiders Team List


1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Savielo Tamale
3. Simi Sasagi
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Morgan Smithies
9. Tom Starling
10. Joe Tapine (c)
11. Hudson Young
12. Noah Martin
13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange
14. Jayden Brailey
15. Zac Hosking
16. Ata Mariota 
17. Matthew Timoko
18. Daine Laurie
19. Joe Roddy

New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2026 Round 2 FAQ’s

How to livestream New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2026 Round 2?

You can livestream the New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2026 Round 2 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 New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2026 Round 2?

To buy tickets to the New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2026 Round 2 game check the NRL website or the official New Zealand Warriors site.

Verdict

This game will finish with a 1-12 margin to either team in a low-scoring encounter that has less than 46.5 points. Leka Halasima will cross from the interchange bench.
Best Bet1: Either Team 1-12 Winning Margin $1.80 at betr - 4 Units
Best Bet2: Under 46.5 Game Total $1.91 at NextBet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Leka Halasima Anytime Tryscorer $4.25 at Neds - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Roger Tuivasa Sheck First Tryscorer $9.25 at Neds - 1 Unit
Either Team
1-12 Winning Margin
$1.80 - 4 Units
The GOAT.
Ahead of the Game.

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
Under 46.5
Game Total
$1.91 - 2 Units
Challenger 'NextBet' is here
register with referral code BETS

18+. T&Cs apply

Bet at NextBet
Leka Halasima
Anytime Tryscorer
$4.25 - 1 Unit
Take it to the Neds Level
Register with code BLACKBOOK

The Neds.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Neds
Roger Tuivasa Sheck
First Tryscorer
$9.25 - 1 Unit
Take it to the Neds Level
Register with code BLACKBOOK

The Neds.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Neds

Top Betting Sites

Betting offers

Upcoming Events

30 May 2026

  • Saturday Roughies - May 30 -
  • Horse Racing

06 June 2026

Load More
Betting Slip | 13 Mar 2026

New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders