Raiders triumph over Warriors amidst controversy in Las Vegas, with standout performances from Xavier Savage and Seb Kris.
Ricky Stuart's Canberra Raiders have brushed aside a week of controversy in Las Vegas with a huge statement win over the Warriors to open the NRL season in 2025. The Raiders thrashed a disappointing Warriors side 30-8, with Xavier Savage scoring twice in a standout performance for the Raiders, days after proposing to his long-time partner Taliah Simbolon in front of the world-renowned Bellagio in Sin City.
The emphatic victory was the perfect way for Stuart's side to answer their critics after a far from ideal lead-up to the season-opening game. The club had to dal with the backlash from the Vegas hotel scuffle between Raiders teammates Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies that saw both players front the media and express their remorse last week.
But any suggestions that the scandal would be disruptive to Canberra's preparations for the season opener were put to bed in the five-tries-to-two romp. Savage was sensational on one wing for Canberra and Seb Kris was also strong as he grabbed the first try of the new season inside five minutes. Off-contract hooker Tom Starling also staked his claim on the No.9 jumper after some flashes of brilliance, including a clever dart out of dummy half that helped set up Savage's first try.