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Preview of NRL round-seven matches (all times AEST).
FRIDAY, April 18
South Sydney v Canterbury at ANZ Stadium, 4pm
Head to Head: Rabbitohs 66, Bulldogs 77, Drawn 4.
Last clash: Round 24 2013 South Sydney 28 bt Dogs 20 at ANZ Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Rabbitohs $1.87, Bulldogs $2
FootyTAB: Dogs +3.5
What better time for the Bunnies to get the chocolates than at Easter? However, downing second-placed Canterbury might prove more difficult than getting Bulldogs coach Des Hasler to ditch his beloved “fly under the radar” line. Souths have won their past two matches against the ‘Dogs but Canterbury showed just why they can never be counted out in their come-from-behind, one-point last-round win over a heartbroken Warriors. On paper, they have provided another compelling reason. The miserly Dogs lead the competition for the least missed tackles (114) – albeit just ahead of the Rabbitohs (123). But it seems the Dogs’ tenacity and the unavailability of South Sydney forwards George Burgess and Ben Te’o (tripping ban) might prove too much for the Rabbitohs.
Key: Sam Burgess. The Rabbitohs’ forward has already impressed by leading the competition for metres gained (181m average per game) but will need to find another gear to make up for the absence of his brother and Te’o.
Tip: Bulldogs
Newcastle v Brisbane at Hunter Stadium, 7.40pm
Head to head: Knights 13, Broncos 27, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 25 2013 – Knights 26 bt Broncos 18 at Suncorp Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Knights $1.83, Broncos $2.05
FootyTAB: Broncos +2.5
How do you solve a problem like Ben Barba? He is a shell of the man who ran away with the 2012 Dally M Medal after back-to-back shockers for new club Brisbane. His season start was summed up by one of the final plays of their gut-wrenching 12-8 last-round loss to Gold Coast. Gun shy after dropping a first-half bomb, Barba made the fatal mistake of letting a high ball bounce near the uprights then was somehow pickpocketed in the in-goal by Titans pivot Aidan Sezer who scored the matchwinner. Brisbane have surprised many with their bright season start but need Barba to fire sometime soon if they are to be true finals contenders.
Key: Barba might be causing headaches for Broncos coach Anthony Griffin but the mere mention of halfback Ben Hunt must surely raise a smile. The vertically challenged No.7 is standing tall in a breakout season leading Brisbane in tries scored (five) and line breaks (six).
Tip: Knights
Manly v North Queensland at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, 7.40pm
Head to head: Sea Eagles 14, Cowboys 7
Last clash: Round 18 2013 Sea Eagles 34 bt Cowboys 14 at Townsville
Tab Sportsbet: Sea Eagles $1.33, Cowboys $3.50
FootyTAB: Cowboys +7.5
Cyclone Ita disrupted the Cowboys’ travel plans following their last-round away loss to the Wests Tigers. Now it seems they have to prepare for Cyclone Matai. Or at the very least, Kiwi centre Steve Matai looks set to ensure 12th-placed North Queensland develop into a depression on Friday night in Gosford. Matai has been on fire on the left edge for the fourth-placed Sea Eagles, combining with the equally devastating Jorge Taufua in a major worry for the visitors. Matai has crossed for two tries four times in six games and is equal with Eels beast Semi Radradra for the most line breaks in the league. Manly have won their past five meetings with the out of sorts Cowboys – and the last time they played in Gosford, the Sea Eagles soared in a 38-6 shellacking in 2008.
Key: Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott. He must stand up against the likes of Jason King, Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart if North Queensland are any chance of winning.
Tip: Sea Eagles
SATURDAY, April 19
St George Illawarra v Warriors at WIN Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah, 5.30pm
Head to head: Dragons 17, Warriors 4
Last clash: Round two 2014 Dragons 31 bt Warriors 12 at Eden Park
Tab Sportsbet: Dragons $1.62, Warriors $2.40
FootyTAB: Warriors +4.5
One of last round’s hard luck stories went to the Warriors after walking away with a one-point loss to the Bulldogs despite being rated by most as the better side. Then the Dragons played Melbourne. As gutted as the Warriors were after Trent Hodkinson’s last-gasp winning field goal, few could truly grasp the Dragons’ frustration following the injustice of Melbourne’s try after the siren. Despite a promising start, the Dragons are back in the pack with a 3-3 record. CEO Peter Doust unsuccessfully demanded the NRL award his club two points for the refereeing gaffe. The Dragons downed the Warriors in round two at Eden Park this year but it remains to be seen how they respond to last round’s result.
Key: Will this be the week the Warriors finally nail down a right centre? The Kiwis will field their fourth different right centre in seven games this weekend against the Dragons after the shock axing of battering ram Konrad Hurrell for 20-year-old Ngani Laumape.
Tip: Dragons
Cronulla v Sydney Roosters at Remondis Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: Sharks 28, Roosters 55, drawn 2
Last clash: Round 24 2013 Sharks 32 bt Roosters 22 at Remondis Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Sharks $3.10, Roosters $1.40
FootyTAB: Sharks +8.5
Already, the Sharks’ hopes of making the NRL finals appear as ordinary as Todd Carney’s new hairdo. They say blonds have more fun but Carney and his last-placed Cronulla are in no laughing mood right now. They need to win 11 of their final 18 games to be a realistic finals chance after a disastrous season start. And that equation might get uglier after taking on star-studded defending premiers the Roosters who will back themselves to snap a shock three-game losing run.
Key: Carney’s new look might be turning heads but the former NSW Origin playmaker needs to stand out for all the right reasons and provide some support to the Sharks’ sole attacking weapon to date, No.1 Michael Gordon.
Tip: Roosters
SUNDAY, April 20
Canberra v Melbourne at GIO Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Raiders 9, Storm 24.
Last clash: Round 21 2013 Storm 68 bt Raiders 4 at GIO Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Raiders $2.30, Storm $1.67
FootyTAB: Raiders +4.5
And you thought the Dragons were peeved with Melbourne? The Raiders have beaten the Storm just four times since 2003 – a run that included 14 straight defeats. If Melbourne produce another lacklustre start, similar to their now infamous clash with the Dragons, surprise packets Canberra will back themselves to seal an upset. But as you can imagine, stats have not been kind to the Raiders. They are on a two-game losing streak – and have dropped their past six home games. Oh, and the last time they took on Melbourne, they were thrashed 68-4. Other than that…
Key: Anthony Milford’s mindset. The Canberra playmaker appears to be in a representative tug-of-war between Queensland, Australia and Samoa after scintillating early-season form but must get his head right if the Raiders are to be a chance of an upset.
Tip: Storm
MONDAY, April 21
Parramatta v Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium, 4pm
Head to head: Parramatta 16, Wests Tigers 11, drawn 1.
Last clash: Round 22 2013 Eels 26 bt Wests Tigers 22 at Pirtek Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Eels $1.50, Wests Tigers $2.70
FootyTAB: Wests Tigers +4.5
Here is confirmation that it is indeed a funny old game. Last year’s worst two sides will line up in what looms as the match of the round. Hell didn’t freeze over and pigs didn’t fly but wooden spooners for the past two seasons Parramatta did down defending champions the Roosters last round. Yet the third-placed Wests Tigers will go close to being the 2014 surprise packet. Even without Braith Anasta and James Tedesco, they monstered North Queensland last round. Of course, they miss the inspirational Robbie Farah (elbow) but winning is a habit and the rejuvenated Wests Tigers don’t look like losing it against an Eels outfit who have lost their past 13 games at ANZ Stadium going back to mid-2010.
Key: Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods. No one can replace Farah – arguably the NRL’s top player of the first six rounds – but the Tigers look set not to miss a beat thanks to the bruising forward who right now would be first picked for the NSW Origin side.
Tip: Wests Tigers
Penrith v Gold Coast at Sportingbet Stadium, 7pm
Head to head: Panthers 5, Titans 4.
Last clash: Round 17 2013 Panthers 40 bt Titans 18 in Darwin
Tab Sportsbet: Panthers $1.67, Titans $2.30
FootyTAB: Titans +2.5
Even Gold Coast can’t figure out why they are top of the table. Then again, they are the first team in 60 years to lead the ladder with a negative points differential. They say you can prove anything with stats but the Titans have league historians scratching their heads after moving clear with a 5-1 record. Still, there are some things that can’t be gauged on a piece of paper. Gold Coast typically hung tough last round against Brisbane, eventually scoring both their tries against the run of play. The stage is set for a memorable reunion with ex-Titans centre Jamal Idris.
Key: Titans fullback David Mead. The PNG international is supposed to be a fill-in No.1 but his form – summed up by last round’s sensational 99m try against Brisbane – has relegated regular fullback William Zillman to an extended bench.
Tip: Titans
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