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The One New Zealand Warriors are set to kick off the 2025 NRL season against Canberra. This exciting match-up is part of the Las Vegas blockbuster at Allegiant Stadium. Scheduled to take place on Saturday PST (4.00pm local time; 1.00pm Sunday, March 2 NZT), the team's 1-17 lineup remains unaltered after four field sessions in the entertainment hub during the week.
Coach’s Confirmation
Head coach Andrew Webster confirmed following the final team run at Allegiant Stadium, that teenage second rower-prop Eddie Ieremia and experienced half Te Maire Martin had been retained in the 19-man game day squad. However, hooker Sam Healey, prop Bunty Afoa, and winger Edward Kosi were omitted from the 22.
Season Debutants and Returning Players
Co-captain James Fisher-Harris is the only player named to make his One New Zealand Warriors debut in this historic clash. The Kiwi captain, with four straight premiership wins with Penrith under his belt, will line up alongside fellow co-captain Mitchell Barnett in the Warriors’ starting front row.
The 203-game 29-year-old Northlander will become Warrior #290 as the club commences its 31st season, playing its first premiership match outside New Zealand or Australia. Allegiant Stadium is set to be the 51st venue for a premiership match in the Warriors’ history.
While Fisher-Harris makes his club debut, fellow offseason signee Erin Clark will start at loose forward, 2914 days since his NRL debut and only other previous appearance for the One New Zealand Warriors on March 10, 2017. Fisher-Harris and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad return after representing the Māori All Stars in Sydney on the night of the Storm trial. Barnett and centre Adam Pompey are also back after missing the Hamilton hit-out.
Impressive Lineup and Injured Players
In the highly-experienced pack, Clark is the only one yet to make 100 appearances, and he’s on the verge of doing so as he plays his 96th match this weekend. In the backline, Head coach Andrew Webster has chosen Taine Tuaupiki to replace injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the right wing, while Chanel Harris-Tavita claims the #6 jersey.
Webster has named four forwards on the bench with Dylan Walker providing utility value, joined by Jackson Ford and promising young back rowers Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima. The only two players not considered due to injuries were winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (wrist) and centre Rocco Berry (shoulder).
Anticipating Landmark Matches
While Clark is four games away from playing his 100th career match, Pompey will mark his 95th appearance. This match will be the 53rd between the two clubs, with Canberra holding a slight edge 27-25 overall. The Warriors have won five of the last eight matches, and interestingly, they will now have the distinction of playing in both the northernmost and southernmost venues in the competition’s history (Las Vegas and Dunedin in 2017).
Note: Luke Metcalf recently visited the KLAS 8 studio to feature on the local show Las Vegas Now, promoting the NRL's showcase opening round.
https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2025/02/26/metcalf-on-las-vegas-tv/
Coach’s Confirmation
Head coach Andrew Webster confirmed following the final team run at Allegiant Stadium, that teenage second rower-prop Eddie Ieremia and experienced half Te Maire Martin had been retained in the 19-man game day squad. However, hooker Sam Healey, prop Bunty Afoa, and winger Edward Kosi were omitted from the 22.
Season Debutants and Returning Players
Co-captain James Fisher-Harris is the only player named to make his One New Zealand Warriors debut in this historic clash. The Kiwi captain, with four straight premiership wins with Penrith under his belt, will line up alongside fellow co-captain Mitchell Barnett in the Warriors’ starting front row.
The 203-game 29-year-old Northlander will become Warrior #290 as the club commences its 31st season, playing its first premiership match outside New Zealand or Australia. Allegiant Stadium is set to be the 51st venue for a premiership match in the Warriors’ history.
While Fisher-Harris makes his club debut, fellow offseason signee Erin Clark will start at loose forward, 2914 days since his NRL debut and only other previous appearance for the One New Zealand Warriors on March 10, 2017. Fisher-Harris and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad return after representing the Māori All Stars in Sydney on the night of the Storm trial. Barnett and centre Adam Pompey are also back after missing the Hamilton hit-out.
Impressive Lineup and Injured Players
In the highly-experienced pack, Clark is the only one yet to make 100 appearances, and he’s on the verge of doing so as he plays his 96th match this weekend. In the backline, Head coach Andrew Webster has chosen Taine Tuaupiki to replace injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the right wing, while Chanel Harris-Tavita claims the #6 jersey.
Webster has named four forwards on the bench with Dylan Walker providing utility value, joined by Jackson Ford and promising young back rowers Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima. The only two players not considered due to injuries were winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (wrist) and centre Rocco Berry (shoulder).
Anticipating Landmark Matches
While Clark is four games away from playing his 100th career match, Pompey will mark his 95th appearance. This match will be the 53rd between the two clubs, with Canberra holding a slight edge 27-25 overall. The Warriors have won five of the last eight matches, and interestingly, they will now have the distinction of playing in both the northernmost and southernmost venues in the competition’s history (Las Vegas and Dunedin in 2017).
Note: Luke Metcalf recently visited the KLAS 8 studio to feature on the local show Las Vegas Now, promoting the NRL's showcase opening round.
https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2025/02/26/metcalf-on-las-vegas-tv/