NRL Match Preview: Round 1 v Panthers

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Sat 1 Mar 2025, 03:29 PM

It's showtime for the Sharks, who will take centre stage in the entertainment capital of the world against the Panthers for a heavyweight Las Vegas season-opener on Saturday night (PST).

Having sat with last year's 26-6 preliminary final loss to premiers Penrith for the past five months, Cronulla are out to make a Round 1 statement before an international audience as part of an historic quadruple-header at Allegiant Stadium.

Craig Fitzgibbon's men will go into the clash with confidence after a strong pre-season, capped off by a 40-10 trial win over the Raiders in mid-February.

The squad began the final stretch of their preparation with a four-day camp in Los Angeles last week before acclimatising to the bright lights of Las Vegas.

"We have a real sense of gratefulness to be here," winger Ronaldo Mulitalo said.

"It's a rare opportunity to get. Enjoying it as well as staying focused on the job ahead is important to us. Fitzy (coach Fitzgibbon) has made that pretty clear.

"We've all played for a long time and been on away trips. It's a long season ahead and (eight of our) first 10 games are on the road, so this is a good prep for it.

"And what better way to do it than to take on the defending premiers?"

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Round 1 Media: Ronaldo Mulitalo

Fitzgibbon has named a settled side, with world-class prop Addin Fonua-Blake the marquee addition to a squad that came within 80 minutes of the 2024 grand final.

While winger Sione Katoa has been sidelined long-term after undergoing shoulder surgery, 22-year-old local junior Sam Stonestreet is primed to take his place on the right flank having already bagged eight tries from five NRL appearances.

Travelling across the globe is unlikely to faze the Sharks, who were suitcase specialists last year with eight wins from 12 away fixtures in the regular season.

As they begin their quest for a fifth-straight title, the Panthers will also be without a star finisher after the withdrawal of the metre-eating Brian To'o (hamstring). Teenage flyer Casey McLean has been called upon as his replacement.

The nucleus of Penrith's premiership dynasty otherwise remains mostly intact. Halfback Nathan Cleary, back-rower Liam Martin and fullback Dylan Edwards have been cleared to play after off-season operations, while representative lock Isaah Yeo will do battle with Cameron McInnes in a meeting of inspirational skippers.

With Jarome Luai now at Wests Tigers, Jack Cole will partner Cleary in the halves.

Despite their dominance, the Panthers have lost their past two opening-round clashes. The Sharks are eager to test themselves against the champions.

"They're obviously the best of the best for a reason – they have a great squad. I'm sure they'll be up the top again this year," Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey said.

"There's no easy games in the NRL, and we probably play the hardest one in Round 1, but we're looking forward to the challenge.''

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Round 1 Media: Blayke Brailey

Their opponent aside, the Sharks must master the unusual conditions. Normally used for NFL matches, Allegiant Stadium will be 94.5 metres long, compared to a 100m rugby league field, and 63.1m wide as opposed to the NRL-standard 68m.

There will also be a smaller margin for error when scoring tries or placing attacking kicks, with the in-goal areas only 6.4m deep instead of the usual 10m.

Cronulla's trial against Canberra at GIO Stadium was played on a field with Vegas dimensions. They seemingly had no concerns, running in seven tries.

"It's a big challenge – the extra metre or two (in width) can make the difference between scoring a try or not. I might have to start breaking my back trying to get to the try-line and jumping in the air for a try!" Mulitalo quipped.

"But we've just got to adapt. They're in the same circumstances, so there's no excuses. You've got to be able to learn fast and adapt to your environment."

Kick-off is at 8.30pm Saturday PST (3.30pm Sunday AEDT), with all the action to be broadcast live on Fox League, Kayo, Nine and Nine Now.

See the updated team lists below.

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

NRL in Vegas match schedule - Allegiant Stadium

Super League – Wigan v Warrington 1:30pm Saturday PST / 8:30am Sunday AEDT
NRL – Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors 4:00pm Saturday PST / 11:00am Sunday AEDT
Australian Jillaroos v England Women 6:15pm Saturday PST / 1:15pm Sunday AEDT
NRL – Penrith Panthers v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 8:30pm Saturday PST / 3:30pm Sunday AEDT