Wests Tigers v Knights NRL Round 1 preview & tips | March 7, 2025

Tigers v Knights NRL R1 best bets

NRL Round 1: Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knigths preview

A new-look Wests Tigers side welcomes the Newcastle Knights to Campbelltown Sports Stadium in what promises to be an intriguing Friday night contest to kick off their 2025 NRL campaign.

The Tigers enter the season with renewed hope following major off-season signings, including Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva, while the Knights are looking to build on last year’s finals appearance. Both sides have new halves combinations, which will be a key factor in this match.

The Knights have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning six straight against the Tigers, and they will be confident heading into this clash with Kalyn Ponga leading the way from fullback. Defence was a key strength for the Knights last season, as they conceded just 21.5 points per game, ranking sixth in the league.

Newcastle’s well-structured attack, particularly through their spine, has been consistent, and if they can control possession, they should be able to expose a Tigers defence that leaked an NRL-high 31.3 points per game in 2024.

For the Tigers, Luai takes charge as captain with Api Koroisau suspended, and he will need to hit the ground running alongside Lachlan Galvin to get the best out of their attack.

Wests have also made major changes across the backline, with Turuva expected to provide a much-needed strike weapon out wide. He crossed for 16 tries in 20 games for Penrith last season and will be a key factor against Newcastle’s right-edge defence, which struggled in 2024, conceding 41 percent of the team’s total tries.

The Tigers have also reinforced their forward pack, with Terrell May and Royce Hunt adding size and aggression in the middle, but they will face a stern test against a Newcastle pack featuring Jacob Saifiti, Leo Thompson, and Tyson Frizell.

Wests Tigers v Knights Rd 1 team news

Wests Tigers

1. Heath Mason
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Adam Doueihi
4. Solomona Faataape
5. Jeral Skelton
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Jarome Luai
8. Terrell May
9. Tallyn Da Silva
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Alex Seyfarth
13. Alex Twal
14. Tristan Hope
15. Royce Hunt
16. Jack Bird
17. Sione Fainu

Jarome Luai will captain the Tigers in his club debut, with Jahream Bula out injured and Heath Mason stepping in at fullback. Sunia Turuva, Jeral Skelton, Terrell May, Jack Bird, and Royce Hunt all make their Tigers debuts.

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Newcastle Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. James Schiller
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Fletcher Sharpe
7. Jack Cogger
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Leo Thompson
11. Dylan Lucas
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Tyson Frizell
14. Jayden Brailey
15. Jack Hetherington
16. Brodie Jones
17. Mat Croker

Fletcher Sharpe gets the nod at five-eighth, while James Schiller debuts on the wing. Phoenix Crossland starts at hooker, pushing Jayden Brailey to the bench.

Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knights betting predictions

The Knights have dominated this matchup in recent years, winning their last six meetings with the Tigers, and they come into this clash with a settled spine and a strong forward pack. While the Wests Tigers have made some exciting additions, their combinations will take time to gel, and their defensive vulnerabilities from 2024 remain a concern. Newcastle’s ability to control possession and field position should see them cover the 2.5-point line at -111.11 odds with the top NRL bookmakers.

Knights winger Greg Marzhew was one of the most consistent try-scorers in 2024, finishing with 19 tries in 22 games. His strength close to the line makes him a nightmare for edge defenders, and with Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best creating opportunities on the left side, he should get plenty of chances to cross at +110 with Marantelli Bet. If you’re looking for more value, Marzhew is also paying +850 to score the first try — an enticing option given Newcastle’s tendency to target the edges early in games.

With both sides featuring new-look attacking combinations and some potential defensive frailties, this match has all the makings of a high-scoring contest. The Tigers leaked the most points per game in 2024, while Newcastle’s revamped halves pairing of Jack Cogger and Fletcher Sharpe should ensure plenty of attacking opportunities. Over 42.5 total points is the play at -111.11 odds with Marantelli Bet.

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