NRL 2025, Round 1, Penrith Panthers, Cronulla Sharks, Las Vegas, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 2 Mar 2025, 02:33 PM

The Panthers will begin their quest for a fifth-straight NRL title under the bright lights of Las Vegas as they take on Cronulla in the final game of the NRL's season opener at Allegiant Stadium.

The clash is a rematch of last year's preliminary final, Penrith claiming a commanding 26-6 victory on the way to the title.

The Sharks have spent the summer focused on completing unfinished business and it's a mission that starts on Sunday afternoon.

It didn't take long for off-season recruit Addin Fonua-Blake to make an impression on his new teammates and the prop will look to dominate a Panthers pack loaded with talent.

Last year's Golden Boot winner Isaah Yeo will lead the premiers out as they chase a winning start to the year.

There was plenty of change over the summer in Penrith, with five-eighth Jarome Luai, prop James Fisher-Harris and winger Sunia Turuva all departing.

Round 1 - Sunday 2nd March

Full Time

Panthers

Sharks

Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Highlights Latest

Team News

Panthers: No late changes for the Panthers who launch their quest for a fifth straight premiership with superstars Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards all good to go after off-season surgery but Brian To'o missing due to a hamstring injury. Teen sensation Casey McLean comes in on the wing after scoring four tries on Test debut for the Kiwis in November while Paul Alamoti slots in on the other wing having overcome an elbow injury. The only change to the grand final pack is Lindsay Smith taking over from James Fisher-Harris at prop while former Tiger Isaiah Papalii, utility Daine Laurie, emerging prop Luron Patea and workhorse Matt Eisenhuth form a new-look interchange bench. Brad Schneider is 18th man, with reserves Blaize Talagi, Luke Sommerton and Jesse McLean omitted 24-hours from the match. Brad Schneider is 18th man.

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Tuku Hau Tapuha is the 18th man. With Sione Katoa facing an extended period out with a shoulder injury, Sam Stonestreet gets the nod on the wing after finishing 2024 in a flurry with seven tries in his last four games. Star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake leads a formidable pack that includes Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton and Cam McInnes, while Braden Hamlin-Uele and Tom Hazelton bring power off the bench. After missing the Sharks' preliminary final loss to the Panthers with an ankle injury Jesse Ramien is back on deck in the centres, with Siosifa Talakai going back to the bench. One day out from game day, the squad has been trimmed to 19, with Jayden Berrell, Billy Burns and Hohepa Puru omitted.

Round 1 - Sunday 2nd March

Full Time

Panthers

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Casey McLean

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Luke Garner

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Paul Alamoti

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Daine Laurie

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Isaiah Papali'i

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Matthew Eisenhuth

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luron Patea

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Brad Schneider

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Tuku Hau Tapuha

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 08:22 pm Monday 10th March 2025

Stat Attack

The Panthers have won eight of their past nine games against the Sharks.
The Sharks have won only two of their past 11 Round 1 games.
The Panthers have outscored the Sharks 96-6 in their past three clashes.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo scored eight tries in his last seven games of 2024.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.