NRL Las Vegas 2025 LIVE updates: Raiders split Warriors early; Sam Burgess’ side thashed in Vegas opener

The Raiders are a good chance for mine against the Warriors too, every year people underestimate them. If Canberra can stay healthy, I think they can compete with the top teams given their squad has been together a few years and all that time on the training paddock and in games is often underrated.

Fullback Kaeo Weekes is in for a big year. He’s just everywhere on the field, sniffing around the ruck and popping up out wide around his halves when they’re in attacking shapes too.

Loading

He’s a great support player with lightning speed and if he can get off the back of Joe Tapine’s unpredictable offloads, Canberra’s attack really opens up.

As for the Warriors, James Fisher-Harris is just a warrior defined. Polynesian culture talks about mana, which is all about respect, influence and spiritual power. That just sums up James Fisher-Harris, and Tapine too.

It’s a big test for Luke Metcalf taking over at halfback from Shaun Johnson, who was such a dominant player for so long. But Luke’s a bit different and he’s more of a run threat than Shaun was at the back end of his career. I really rate him and as the season goes on, watch him grow and grow as a player. The Warriors will take a few weeks to get their combinations going and they can still be enigmatic, but also very hard to beat when it all clicks.

I think we’ll have a fast, open game with plenty of points, and an upset to start the season.

Joey’s tip: Raiders by six

First try-scorer: Ethan Strange

Man of the match: Joe Tapine