The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

NRL Round 9 preview (Part 1)

26th April, 2016
Advertisement
The Roosters take on the Eels in a split round of NRL action. (Action Photographics, Renee McKay)
Roar Guru
26th April, 2016
3
2452 Reads

Round 9 is set to be one of the closest rounds so far in 2016, following a week of twists and turns.

The Wests Tigers will be desperate to redeem themselves against the hapless Rabbitohs, while traditional rivals the Parramatta Eels and Canterbury Bulldogs go head-to-head to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the blue and gold’s 1986 title.

Rugby league will head to Bathurst, with the Penrith Panthers hosting the Canberra Raiders, while the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights will duke it out in a battle to get off the bottom of the table.

South Sydney Rabbitohs versus Wests Tigers
Thursday, April 28, 7:50pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium

Both the Rabbitohs and Tigers are in a period of losses, recording three and six straight respectively.

After falling 30-8 at the hands of the Broncos, South Sydney are ready to make a comeback, having dropped down to 11th position on the table.

Despite injuring his jaw following a high shot from New Zealand international Adam Blair, the Rabbitohs’ star playmaker Adam Reynolds has been named by Michael Maguire.

The Bunnies will be relying on Reynolds to perform well, while they also need a bigger effort by Greg Inglis and the Burgess brothers, with George named on the bench.

Advertisement

Hymel Hunt’s pectoral injury sees Kirisome Auva’a promoted to the starting 17, while Kyle Turner will be welcomed back in place of the suspended Paul Carter.

The Tigers will be just as desperate as Souths to earn two points with the joint venture having failed to win a game since Round 2. Jason Taylor has a huge task on his hands, with growing calls for the former Eels and Rabbitohs coach to be sacked.

Tim Simona will add some extra strike when he takes Nathan Milone’s spot at centre, with the Samoan international returning from suspension.

These two sides have done battle 26 times, with Souths victorious on 15 occasions while Wests Tigers have won 11.

The joint venture won in their last meeting, a 34-6 victory in Round 14 last year. They were unable to get a win over the Bunnies in Round 3 of 2015 however, with the cardinal and myrtle getting a 20-6 victory.

Prediction
The Wests Tigers will have to wait at least another fortnight for their third win of 2016.

Rabbitohs by 12.

Advertisement

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Wests Tigers defeated Rabbitohs 34-6 (Round 14, 2015)
Head-to-head: 26 played – Rabbitohs 15, Wests Tigers 11
Rabbitohs last three games: 8-30 versus Broncos, 18-44 versus Cowboys, 10-17 versus Roosters
Wests Tigers last three games: 6-60 versus Raiders, 18-19 versus Storm, 16-18 versus Knights

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Greg Inglis (c), 2. Dane Nielsen, 3. Kirisome Auva’a, 4. Bryson Goodwin, 5. Aaron Gray, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. David Tyrrell, 11. Chris Grevsmuhl, 12. Kyle Turner, 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Cameron McInnes, 15. Jason Clark, 16. Nathan Brown, 17. George Burgess

Wests Tigers
1. James Tedesco, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Tim Simona, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Jordan Rankin, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Ava Seumanufagai, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Tim Grant, 11. Curtis Sironen, 12. Chris Lawrence (c), 13. Sauaso Sue
Interchange: 14. Josh Aloiai, 15. Dene Halatau, 16. Kyle Lovett, 17. JJ Felise

Adam Reynolds (centre) of the Rabbitohs leads the team off the field

Parramatta Eels versus Canterbury Bulldogs
Friday, April 29, 7:50pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium

The Eels were left seething after Corey Norman was controversially sin-binned in their loss to the Cowboys 32-16.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has stuck with the same side that played in Townsville, as his club look to get their second win over archrivals Canterbury for 2016.

Des Hasler’s side have had an inconsistent start to the season, only just scraping past the Titans 21-20 in extra time last week at ANZ Stadium, Josh Reynolds slotting a field goal to see the Dogs to victory.

Hasler has named Lloyd Perrett and mid-season signing Raymond Faitala-Mariner on an extended bench in an otherwise unchanged side.

Advertisement

The boys from Belmore will need an increased effort from their pack, with Canterbury’s forward rotation beginning to lose their bark.

The Eels and Bulldogs have met a total of 26 times since 1998, with Canterbury winning 20 matches to Parramatta’s 15 and one draw.

The two sides have featured in some great battles in the past, sharing glory in the 1980s.

Parramatta will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 4-2 premiership win over the Dogs at the SCG in 1986 – their most recent title.

Prediction
Parramatta will flex their muscles against their rivals and be too strong.

Eels by 10.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Eels defeated Bulldogs 20-6 (Round 2, 2016)
Head-to-head: 36 meetings – Eels 15, Bulldogs 10
Eels last three games: 16-32 versus Cowboys, 22-10 versus Sea Eagles, 36-6 versus Raiders
Bulldogs last three games: 21-20 versus Titans, 20-24 versus Warriors, 18-12 versus Storm

Parramatta Eels
1. Michael Gordon, 2. Semi Radradra, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Clinton Gutherson, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Kieran Foran (c), 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Daniel Alvaro, 11. Manu Ma’u, 12. Beau Scott, 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14. Isaac De Gois, 15. Peni Terepo, 16. Danny Wicks, 17. Kenny Edwards

Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Will Hopoate, 2. Curtis Rona, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Kerrod Holland, 5. Sam Perrett, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Moses Mbye, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. James Graham (c), 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Tony Williams, 13. Greg Eastwood
Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano, 15. Tim Browne, 16. David Klemmer, 17. Craig Garvey, 19. Lloyd Perrett, 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Advertisement

Penrith Panthers versus Canberra Raiders
Saturday, April 30, 3pm (AEST) at Carrington Park

Both the Panthers and Raiders welcome back a host of stars, as Penrith take their third game in as many years west of the Blue Mountains, to Bathurst.

The Chocolate Soldiers have received a massive boost, as James Segeyaro returns from an arm injury and Dean Whare comes back after injuring his calf.

Segeyaro’s return sees Peter Wallace shift to halfback, with young gun Te Maire Martin out of the side with a shoulder injury sustained in Penrith’s loss to the Sharks.

With Whare returning, Waqa Blake drops out of the side, while Sam McKendry has been named on an extended bench after sitting out last week with suspension.

It will be a tough task for the boys from the foot of the mountain, with their forward pack needing to step up against a the Raiders’ big boppers.

Ricky Stuart’s pack will become even bigger with Frank-Paul Nuuausala named as 18th man in an otherwise unchanged side from the team that shocked the Wests Tigers with a massive 60-6 win in the nation’s capital.

Advertisement

The Green Machine are still without Blake Austin, with Sam Williams continuing to guide the team, who are hoping to head further up the NRL ladder ahead of the representative round. The team currently sit in seventh position, just one point behind the Eels and Bulldogs in equal fifth.

The Raiders and Panthers have played in 36 matches since 1998, with Penrith winning 17 of those while Canberra have come out on top on 19 occasions.

Their most recent meeting was a Round 1 win for the Raiders, 30-22.

Prediction
Penrith will win an extremely tight contest.

Panthers by 4.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: Carrington Park
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Raiders defeated Panthers 30-22 (Round 1, 2016)
Head-to-head: 36 played – Panthers 17, Raiders 19
Panthers last three games: 18-20 versus Sharks, 20-16 versus Roosters, 18-23 versus Cowboys
Raiders last three games: 60-6 versus Wests Tigers, 16-40 versus Sharks, 6-36 versus Eels

Penrith Panthers
1. Matt Moylan (c), 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Jamie Soward, 7. Peter Wallace, 8. Leilani Latu, 9. James Segeyaro, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Bryce Cartwright, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Jeremy Latimore, 16. Suaia Matagi, 17. James Fisher-Harris, 20. Sam McKendry

Canberra Raiders
1. Jack Wighton, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Sam Williams, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Shannon Boyd, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Clay Priest, 17. Joseph Tapine, 18. Frank-Paul Nuuausala

Penrith Panthers half Peter Wallace

Advertisement

Sydney Roosters versus Newcastle Knights
Saturday, April 30, 5:30pm (AEST) at Allianz Stadium

Mitchell Pearce returns for the Roosters, looking to help the side change their fortunes after a slow start to the season.

Easts have a massive opportunity to get a win on the board before a one-week break, with Pearce returning alongside Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Isaac Liu in a massive boost.

Brendan Elliot drops out of the side, with Mitchell Aubusson taking his place in the centres. Mitchell Frei is victim of the return of Kiwi enforcer Warea-Hargreaves, with Connor Watson named on a five-man extended bench which also features Ryan Matterson, who had a brilliant debut in the Roosters’ 20-18 Anzac Day loss to the Dragons.

Pearce holds the key for the Roosters, with the troubled star to face off against rookie Will Pearsall, who takes Jarrod Mullen’s spot in the halves. However Brock Lamb could also feature, with the West Maitland junior named alongside Jack Stockwell and Mickey Paea on an extended bench.

Pauli Pauli takes the place of Josh King on the bench, with the backrower returning from suspension, while a knee injury to Peter Mata’utia sees his brother Pat take his place in the centres.

The Novocastrians currently sit second last, ahead of Easts by just one point. Trent Hodkinson needs to step up and guide the Knights in the absence of his halves partner, Mullen.

Advertisement

In 34 meetings since 1998, the Roosters have won 22 while Newcastle have come out on top just 12 times.

Their last meeting came in Round 22, 2015 with the Bonid club getting up 38-22 at Hunter Stadium in what was the only clash between the two clubs last year.

Prediction
With experienced players returning from injury and suspension, the Tricolours will begin their charge to the finals.

Roosters by 10.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Allianz Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Roosters defeated Knights 38-22 (Round 22, 2015)
Head-to-head: 34 played – Roosters 22, Knights 12
Roosters last three games: 18-20 versus Dragons, 16-20 versus Panthers, 17-10 versus Rabbitohs
Knights last three games: 10-26 versus Sea Eagles, 0-53 versus Broncos, 18-16 versus Wests Tigers

Sydney Roosters
1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Joe Burgess, 3. Mitchell Aubusson, 4. Blake Ferguson, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Jackson Hastings, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Sam Moa, 9. Jake Friend (c), 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Aidan Guerra, 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14. Kane Evans, 15. Eloni Vunakece, 16. Ryan Matterson, 17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 18. Connor Watson

Newcastle Knights
1. Dane Gagai, 2. Nathan Ross, 3. Sione Mata’utia, 4. Pat Mata’utia, 5. Akuila Uate, 6. Will Pearsall, 7. Trent Hodkinson (c), 8. Sam Mataora, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tariq Sims (c), 12. Korbin Sims, 13. Jeremy Smith (c)
Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell, 15. David Bhana, 16. Jacob Saifiti, 17. Pauli Pauli, 18. Brock Lamb, 19. Jack Stockwell, 20. Mickey Paea

Roarers, who are you tipping in Round 9?

Be sure to tune in tomorrow as I preview the remaining four fixtures of Round 9.

Advertisement
close