NRL live: Rabbitohs’ Alex Johnston goes for tries record against Roosters, Warriors face Canberra Raiders

The Warriors start Leka Halasima in the second row after Kurt Capewell succumbed to an injury in the warm-up.

Not sure on the details just yet.

This is the second time in two weeks this has happened, with Roosters prop Spencer Leniu the victim in round one.

Maybe coaches are less inclined to force players to play through niggles now that they have an extended bench.

Raiders lock Corey Horsburgh takes the first charge back up the guts.

Canberra led by Kiwi icon Joe Tapine, but he’s not feeling the love tonight in Auckland.

Leading out the Warriors is Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who’s playing his 150th game for the Warriors tonight.

The Broncos are immediately back under the pump after winning their first premiership in 19 years.

Losing the World Club Challenge, getting shut out to start the season, then shipping 40 points to Parramatta will do that.

In the first game tonight, which I’m really looking forward to, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck lines up for his 150th Warriors game.

His return from rugby union has been incredibly impressive.

Without returning to his Dally M Medal-winning ways, RTS has slotted straight back in and killed it across the Warriors’ backline.

Tonight Warrior number 203 runs out on the wing against the 2025 minor premiers in what’s sure to be an explosive clash featuring two of the game’s best forward packs.

There’s been A LOT of talk about fans rushing the field when Alex Johnston breaks the record for most tries.

Johnston has said he thinks it would be cool, and coach Wayne Bennett is staunchly against the idea.

“I don’t accept it will happen, I don’t see why it should happen, no comprehension why it should happen. [It’s about] respect to the game,” he told reporters last week.

“We play for 80 minutes, you stay off the field. At the end of the game, no problems.”

“How many are we going to allow on the field and how long’s the game gonna stop? Let’s not encourage it, let’s make sure it doesn’t happen.”

Now, I’d be surprised if we didn’t get at least a couple of pitch invaders tonight (I do think he’ll get at least one try), but I have a few concerns.

• Can we trust fans to not be morons and a few ruin a fun experience for everyone by doing something silly?
• Is there a risk to safety if fans try to stream down from upper tiers or just down stairs onto the field? If this happens, I feel the NRL needs to expect some backlash for not preparing.
• What if Johnston crosses, fans run onto the field and the try is overturned by the bunker?
• If it does happen, does it happen when the record is tied or broken? It should obviously be the latter, but I promise someone will stuff this up.

Hello and welcome to another night of NRL action.

We could be in for a big one with the Canberra Raiders in New Zealand to face the Warriors, before the Rabbitohs take on rivals the Roosters with Alex Johnston one try behind Ken Irvine’s all-time record.

Will today be the day? Stick around to find out.