New-look Panthers, Raiders duo named for NRL round one in Vegas

The team lists have dropped for round one of the NRL season, with some big names missing out and the Raiders duo learning their fate.

The Canberra Raiders duo involved in a Las Vegas scuffle have fronted the media and now the teams have been announced for the season-opening round in the United States.

Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies addressed the media after their bizarre stoush over a hotel room on the party strip and both have been named for Canberra’s clash with the Warriors on Sunday.

Watch the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership season opening double-header LIVE from Las Vegas on Kayo, SUN 2 MAR 10AM | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Coach Ricky Stuart has named a full-strength side for the curtain-raiser at Allegiant Stadium, with Jamal Fogarty to partner Ethan Strange in the halves.

Veteran Josh Papali’i will start on the bench, while Albert Hopoate is missing the match, back in Australia for the birth of his first child.

Canberra Raiders players Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies front the media. Picture: Jonathan Ng

James Fisher-Harris, a key member of the Penrith team that has claimed four straight premierships, is making his Warriors debut in the front row.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is absent due to his pre-season wrist injury.

For the second match, representative star Brian To’o (hamstring) and youngster Liam Henry (shoulder) are sidelined for the premiers, while Nathan Cleary has been named after his off-season shoulder surgery.

One of the Sharks’ big off-season acquisitions, Addin Fonua-Blake, will make his first start for the club, with Sione Katoa (shoulder) forced to sit this one out.

Kotoni Staggs has sustained an injury for the Broncos. Photo Steve Pohlner

Elsewhere, the Broncos have copped a significant blow with Kotoni Staggs ruled out of their opening match and facing up to a month on the sidelines with a quad injury.

Payne Haas (ankle) and Jack Gosiewski (concussion) are also in a race to prove their fitness for round one.

Brisbane and its new coach Michael Maguire will kick-off the first match on Australian soil when they take on the Roosters in Sydney on Thursday March 6.

Teams for the rest of the first round will be named next week, with two matches scheduled on Friday, two on Saturday and one on Sunday, with the Titans getting a first-round bye

Check out the full squads for the big Vegas double-header below.

Brian To'o misses the season opener through injury. Picture: Jonathan Ng

But Nathan Cleary is back for the premiers. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images via AFP)

SUNDAY MARCH 2

Canberra Raiders vs. New Zealand Warriors at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 11am AEDT

Raiders team: 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

Warriors team: 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. Mitchell 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. Edward Kosi

Addin Fonua-Blake will make his first appearance in Sharks colours. Credit: Supplied.

Penrith Panthers vs. Cronulla Sharks at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 3.30pm AEDT

Panthers team: 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 team: 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