The NRL is back and for the second year in a row, it begins in Las Vegas! There will be a huge sigh of relief when this game begins as rugby league action is back on screens. It has been a long wait throughout the offseason, but fans will be rewarded for their patience with two blockbuster NRL matches. The first on an action-packed weekend of rugby league has the Raiders facing off against the Warriors. Both teams are out to make amends for missing the Finals in season 2024; there is no better way to start a new campaign with a victory. Check out our full preview and betting tips for the game below!
Don’t forget to head to our NRL tips page for more previews, analysis and betting tips for every NRL match of every round!
Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors
Location: Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas
Date: Sunday, 2nd March
Time: 11:00am AEDT
Odds: Canberra Raiders ($2.25) vs New Zealand Warriors ($1.65)
Line: Warriors -2.5
Points: 42.5
Odds and lines provided with thanks to Ladbrokes. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week, and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
The less said about both teams in 2024, the better. They promised so much at different times but were unable to deliver. Each struggled at home and underpinning their shortcomings was a lack of consistency. The Raiders were heavily impacted by injuries but that has given them the opportunity to bring some youngsters into the squad. This has many fans hopeful that a new edge can be displayed by this young and tenacious side.
The Warriors will be out to reward their loyal home fans for their patience and support through a tough 2024 campaign. Several key positional changes are offering new hope for this talented team. Recruiting well, they will be searching for consistency from individuals in key positions; moving away from relying upon individual brilliance will serve this team well. It has been where they have succeeded in recent years. As outlined in the season preview, the fortunes of both teams could be known very early on in the season.
The Raiders are listed as outsiders for this match ($2.25 vs $1.65) with most believing that their full-strength team is still lacking in some areas. This is somewhat surprising given this is the team that they believe will be able to deliver success to them in 2025. The Warriors are only missing Watene-Zelezniak and like their opponents, have several question marks about their side. The trial form they displayed was skewed given the weakness of their opponents. They are under the odds, and, in equal measure, the Raiders are being underestimated.
If you even have a slight lean towards the Raiders, you should cash in on this value. The recent history between these two sides suggests it will be a close match. The average winning margin in their past 5 matches is 9 points, with 4 out of 5 being decided by 12 points or less and 3 by 8 points or less. The average total points scored is 39.4, meaning that this game could also be low scoring; be wary of this statistic though as both usually play at home grounds with testing conditions compared to this game which will be played indoors. As a rule, this tipster avoids investing large amounts on the first 5 rounds of the NRL season. It is dangerous territory and often a time where teams can deliver and upset before others find their groove. Use the history to your advantage for this game and keep you stake low.
Either Team by 8.5 Points of Less
$2.15 (1.5 Units)
Raiders vs Warriors Same Game Multi
Throughout the 2025 NRL season we’ll be putting together a fun same game multi for every match at BoomBet using their BetShare feature.
To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Weekes and Nicoll-Klokstad to Score: Both will be playing fullback for their respective team and have a terrific support game. They finished the season strongly and are key to their team’s success. Weekes continued to make a name for himself during the representative period. If their team even have half a chance of breaking the line, expect both to be looming in support.
SGM Odds: $7.50 at BoomBet
