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Preston's previews: NRL Round 12

Uate is back, baby. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
Roar Guru
25th May, 2016
1

Round 11 produced another quality round of football with the New Zealand Warriors proving once again that they are a tipping nightmare.

That said, my guide would have reaped huge dividends last week, all six correct tips also featured the correct margins (1-12)!

Round 12 features a reduced round so without further ado let’s check out this week’s match-ups!

Last week’s tips 6/8, running tip total – 53/88 (4.8 per week).

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Broncos versus Tigers
The Broncos were shaded at the death by North Queensland in Round 11 in another classic encounter between the two Queensland clubs.

For Round 12 the Broncos continue to make a mockery of the salary cap as despite losing six players on State of Origin duty their side still features five internationals. They also boast the likes of James Roberts, Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough – how about those third party deals, NRL?

The Tigers collected their fourth win of the season against an improved Knights outfit in Round 11, but the Tigers’ performance was nothing to gloat about. It was simply a case of job done, next task for the gold, black and whites.

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Despite missing Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah (Origin) and James Tedesco (injury) the Tigers have named one of their best squads of the season. Gone for a second week in a row is the overhyped, underperforming Curtis Sironen while Sauaso Sue returns and Jordan Rankin remains at fullback, allowing flyer Josh Addo-Carr to retain his place on the wing.

The Tigers will be hoping Matt Ballin lasts longer than five minutes in this match and with a strong bench and starting pack named they could well surprise many with an upset in this match.

The Broncos have won their last six against the Tigers with an average winning margin of 12.5 points.

Tip: Broncos 1-12

Dragons versus Cowboys
The Red V are coming off a competitive last-up loss to the Rabbitohs. Competitive appears to be the word for the Dragons, consistently trying hard but rarely clicking. Even their victories in 2016 have been unconvincing.

This week they will have to make do without their standout forward Tyson Frizell and x-factor Josh Dugan. For this reason I find it hard to see where their points may come from. Benji Marshall returns but his form has been patchy this season.

The Cowboys’ confidence will be high having come from behind to down the Broncos in a thriller during Round 11. Offsetting this renewed confidence though is the absence of their stars including Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, Justin O’Neill, Matthew Scott and James Tamou.

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That’s a healthy chunk of the salary cap removed. However they are served well in the replacements department – Javid Bowen covers O’Neill in the centres, the experienced Ray Thompson replaces Thurston and Rory Kostjasyn joins the bench.

Jahrome Hughes will play five-eighth and could well be one to watch after being named in last year’s Queensland Cup team of the year.

This is a real toss of the coin job but with Lachlan Coote still in the squad and the majority of their forward pack remaining, the Cowboys may just get over the line.

Tip: Cowboys 1-12

Raiders versus Dogs
The Raiders were super impressive in dismantling the world’s most underwhelming sporting team the Warriors, racing to a 22-0 half-time lead.

Players such as Blake Austin, BJ Leilua, Aiden Sezer, Paul Vaughan and Shaun Fensom will all be looking for big games to remind NSW selectors that should Origin 1 not go to plan they are waiting in the wings.

Austin in particular can consider himself incredibly unlucky to miss out on the bench utility position with his ability to play in the halves, fullback, centre, lock and second row.

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The Raiders will only miss the services of Josh Papalii and this is offset by the return of Iosia Soliola.

The Dogs controlled the majority of their 32-20 Round 11 victory over the Roosters. David Klemmer and Josh Jackson will be missing for the Dogs but they receive adequate cover through Adam Elliott and Danny Fualalo. Josh Morris will be looking for a big game having been controversially left out of the NSW team in favour of the out of position Josh Dugan.

The Dogs have won four of their past seven against the Raiders including three of their past five in Canberra.

Tip: Raiders 1-12

Knights versus Eels
The Knights will be weakened (if that were possible) by the loss of Dane Gagai however their overall squad appears in its best shape for some time following their fifth consecutive defeat last round against the Tigers.

Brock Lamb has struggled at five-eighth and although he was awful for the Knights in their opening few matches at fullback Jaelen Feeney is a very good five-eighth and will be looking for a big performance to cement his position in the team until the return of Jarrod Mullen.

Jake Mamo at fullback offers arguably more x-factor than Gagai (who is much stronger at centre) and Sam Mataora’s return at prop is a big inclusion.

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Unfortunately for the Knights the Eels lose just one player to Origin duty in the form of Michael Jennings. Further hampering the Knights’ chances is that the Eels are now well and truly desperate for a win after their loss to the Storm, foreseeably requiring 12 wins from their final 13.

It’s hard to see how this won’t be a Parramatta victory but the Knights will prevent themselves from a slaughter.

Tip: Eels 1-12

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