NRL Las Vegas Team Updates: Te Maire Martin Left Out as Warriors Unveil Fresh Halves Pairing; Ivan Cleary Discloses Surprising Selections for Penrith

Following weeks of anticipation, the four NRL clubs set to launch their 2025 seasons in Las Vegas have revealed their line-ups for the opening round.

Ivan Cleary has made a few surprising selections for the Panthers, some due to necessity, while Ricky Stuart will give two young players their debut in Canberra’s encounter.

The Warriors have resolved their dilemma of who will step up to fill Shaun Johnson’s shoes in the halves, with an experienced player being omitted for the first match of the season.

Here’s how your team will line up this week:

Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors (11am)

Raiders team list: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Trey Mooney 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Chevy Stewart 22. Jed Stuart

Raiders Team Insights:

Zac Hosking (calf) has recovered from injury and will feature in the back row, while English import Matty Nicholson is absent from the squad.

Savelio Tamale will mark his club debut after joining from the Dragons, taking Albert Hopoate’s place on the wing, while rookie hooker Owen Pattie secures a spot on the bench.

Despite their recent off-field incident, Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies will both start for the Raiders.

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 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Samuel Healey 20. Te Maire Martin 21. Eddie Ieremia 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Ed Kosi

Warriors Team Insights:

Chanel Harris-Tavita has emerged successful in claiming the No.6 jersey to partner with Luke Metcalf in the halves, leaving Te Maire Martin out of the equation for the season opener.

Ali Leiataua will slot into the centres, while Taine Tuaupiki and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will occupy the wings in light of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s absence.

Erin Clark returns to the Warriors and will play in the lock position, while new signing James Fisher-Harris makes his debut in the front-row and will captain the side.

Young forwards Leka Halasima and Demitric Vaimauga will provide depth from the bench.

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks (3.30pm)

Panthers team list: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi

Panthers Team Insights:

Despite carrying some injury concerns through the pre-season, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, and Dylan Edwards have been confirmed to play.

Blaize Talagi has been passed over for the five-eighth position, with Jack Cole stepping in to take Jarome Luai’s place in the halves.

In a surprising twist, Luke Garner has been appointed to play at centre, with Paul Alamoti shifting to the wing as Brian To’o remains sidelined due to a hamstring issue.

Casey McLean has taken the other wing position, whilst Lindsay Smith sets up in the front row.

Luron Patea makes his NRL appearance on the bench, filling in for prop Liam Henry, who is unavailable.

Sharks team list: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru

Sharks Team Insights:

Daniel Atkinson has clinched the bench utility spot over hooker Jayden Berrell, while promising young prop Tuku Hau Tapuha narrowly misses out despite a commendable trial performance.

Sam Stonestreet lines up on the wing, filling in for Sione Katoa as anticipated, with Siosifa Talakai on the bench and Jesse Ramien returning to his regular centre position.

New recruit Addin Fonua-Blake will pair up with Oregon Kaufusi in the front row.