2025 NRL Round 2

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Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos NRL Tips - Broncos to make it two wins from two

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: 13 Mar 2025

Andrew Hendrie 13 Mar 2025

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Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 2 game
Kick-off is at 7.30pm AEDT at GIO Stadium
It shouldn't be another demolition, but Broncos backed on the road
Raiders have two key outs in Xavier Savage & Joseph Tapine
Betting tips: Under 9.5 total tries & Broncos to cover -4.5 with Under 58.5 points; Deine Mariner good value for Anytime Tryscorer

The best NRL picks for Saturday night!!

Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos, Round 2 2025 - Expert Prediction

The Broncos exploded out of the blocks under Michael Maguire and they can make it two wins from two when they travel to the nation's capital to face a gritty Raiders outfit on Saturday night.

Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos, Round 2 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head To Head
Canberra Raiders Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2025 Betting Trends
Canberra Raiders Team News
Canberra Raiders Team List
Brisbane Broncos Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2025 Betting Trends
Brisbane Broncos Team News
Brisbane Broncos Team List

Brisbane couldn't have asked for a better start to 2025 after a nightmare season last year - they piled 50 points on the hapless Chooks, with Selwyn Cobbo crossing for a hat-trick and the veteran halves pairing of Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt working their magic.

I don't think this will be another blowout, but the Broncos are backed to cover a -4.5 games line with Under 58.5 total points as a mini SGM, while Under 9.5 total tries is also expected with two relatively strong defensive showings from both teams to launch the season (it's also been a successful bet in 21 of the last 22 games between the teams)

The loss of Joseph Tapine to suspension for the Raiders is a huge blow, with Broncos' bookends Payne Haas and Patty Carrigan set to take advantage through the middle. Deine Mariner has scored 10 tries in his last 11 interstate games - he's obviously moved to the centres, but Brisbane's right edge saw a lot of space last week and he's decent value at plus money to cross.

Broncos have won three of the last four meetings between the teams
Under 9.5 total tries has landed in 21 of the last 22 meetings dating back to 2009
In the Broncos' last five wins over Raiders, they've covered a -4.5 line & seen Under 58.5 total points
Deine Mariner scored 17 tries in 21 games last season - he's moved to the centres, but is still a threat out wide

Head To Head

Broncos have won their last two games against the Raiders, including a 29-18 triumph at GIO Stadium in their last trip to Canberra.

Canberra Raiders Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
1-0	1-0	0-1

It was a sublime opening round performance from the Raiders, who lit up Vegas with a combination of electric attack and defensive grit to outmuscle the Warriors 30-8.

Canberra dominated from start to finish, with Sebastian Kris and Xavier Savage both crossing for doubles - although the Green Machine will be without the latter due to suspension here.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
1-0	0-1	0-0	1-0

Canberra Raiders Team News

As mentioned, Savage and Tapine are both missing due to suspension in a huge blow for the Raiders.

Albert Hopoate comes onto the wing, while Josh Papalii moves to prop and Matty Nicholson joins the pine. Danny Levi is the 18th man.

Canberra Raiders Team List

1. Kaeo Weekes

2. Savelio Tamale

3. Matthew Timoko

4. Sebastian Kris

5. Albert Hopoate

6. Ethan Strange

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Josh Papali’i

9. Tom Starling

10. Corey Horsburgh

11. Hudson Young

12. Zac Hosking

13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange

14. Owen Pattie

15. Simi Sasagi

16. Matt Nicholson

17. Ata Mariota

Reserves

18. Danny Levi

19. Trey Mooney

20. Chevy Stewart

21. Michael Asomua

22. Ethan Sanders

Brisbane Broncos Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
1-0	1-0	1-0

Absolutely explosive statement from the Broncos to kick off the season as they dropped 50 points on the Roosters and announced their intentions from the get-go.

Michael Maguire has got rid of any complacency that crept into Red Hill following their run to the Grand Final in 2023 and the Broncos already look like genuine premiership threats.

One of the oldest halves pairings in the NRL era, Reynolds and Hunt effortlessly led their team around the park, with Cobbo running wild in the second-half with a hat-trick. Reece Walsh also looked dangerous and he will be relishing a dry track after the rain-soaked Allianz conditions last week.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
1-0	1-0	0-0	1-0

Brisbane Broncos Team News

No reason for Maguire to change anything from last week's demolition job, with the same 17 to take the field here. Jock Madden has recovered from a hamstring injury to join an extended bench.

Brisbane Broncos Team List

1. Reece Walsh

2. Selwyn Cobbo

3. Deine Mariner

4. Gehamat Shibasaki

5. Jesse Arthars

6. Ben Hunt

7. Adam Reynolds

8. Patrick Carrigan

9. Cory Paix

10. Payne Haas

11. Jack Gosiewski

12. Jordan Riki

13. Kobe Hetherington

Interchange

14. Billy Walters

15. Corey Jensen

16. Xavier Willison

17. Brendan Piakura

Reserves

18. Tyson Smoothy

19. Delouise Hoeter

20. Martin Taupau

21. Jaiyden Hunt

22. Jock Madden

Verdict

Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos

It won't be another blowout, but the Broncos should have too much firepower for a Raiders side missing Tapine and Savage to suspension.

Under 9.5 total tries is backed, along with the Broncos covering a -4.5 line with Under 58.5 total points. Watch out for Mariner on the right edge for Brisbane.