2025 NRL: Round 1 Preview, Panthers Vs Sharks

Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 1 clash between the Panthers and Sharks.

MATCHDAY NEWS

MATCHDAY SCHEDULE

Penrith Panthers Vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Date: Sunday, March 2, 3.30pm (AEDT)

MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS

Panthers: 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

Sharks: 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

Referee: Ashley Klein
Bunker: Liam Kennedy

MATCHDAY PREVIEW

In a big blow for the Panthers, Brian To’o will miss this opening clash with a hamstring injury. Casey McLean looks like the first-choice winger to take over Sunia Turuva’s spot, while Paul Alamoti has been named on the other wing, with Luke Garner to fill in at centre. Jesse McLean has been named on the extended bench, however, so don’t be surprised to see him come in to the side on the wing and Alamoti to slide inside at centre.

Jack Cole will be given first crack to replace Jarome Luai in the halves, with Blaize Talagi in the reserves, while Lindsay Smith will start at prop following James Fisher-Harris’ departure. Star recruit Isaiah Papali’i has been named to come off the bench in his Panthers debut.

For the Sharks, Sione Katoa is set to miss an extended period due to a shoulder injury, with Sam Stonestreet taking his place on the wing. Addin Fonua-Blake is straight into the starting side for his first game in Sharks colours and will be relied upon to get his side going early against a Panthers forward pack that has taken a blow following the departure of Fisher-Harris.

This game is a rematch of last year’s preliminary final, in which the Panthers produced a dominant 26-6 victory en route to their fourth straight premiership. The Sharks will be out for revenge against their opponents who have lost some significant firepower this off-season.

The Panthers should never be counted out, and figure to be in the premiership race once again this season, but the players they lost at the end of last year will likely have the biggest impact of any off-season departures they have endured throughout their incredible run.

All eyes will be on the match-up between Nathan Cleary and Nicho Hynes. Cleary has developed into one of the best players in the game and has proved time and time again he has what it takes to win the big matches. There is no denying Hynes’ talent, but the time is now to prove he has the ‘clutch gene’ within him that has been missing for the Sharks in recent years.

MATCHDAY PREDICTION

Panthers by 10 points.

Check out our round 1 predictions here.

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