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All the weekend’s NRL games for Round 8 are previewed here.
FRIDAY, April 27
Brisbane Broncos v Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium 7.35pm
Head to Head: Broncos 8 Titans 3
Last clash: Round 19 2011 – Broncos 30 bt Titans 10 at Suncorp Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Broncos $1.28 Titans $3.65
FootyTAB: Titans +10.5
Brisbane are on a five-game winning streak, but they’ll come up against a Titans team that finally have a spring in their step – having ended a five-match losing run with their round-seven upset of premiers Manly. Centre Jamal Idris looked sluggish against the Sea Eagles in his comeback from a hamstring injury, but has declared himself ready to inflict some pain on the Broncos as he bids to win a NSW jersey. The Broncos, arguably the competition’s form team, welcome back halfback Peter Wallace from a groin strain. Wallace hasn’t lost hope of securing a spot in the Blues halves, but has lost ground to Roosters No.7 Mitchell Pearce in the past week.
Key: Titans skipper Scott Prince put in a masterful display against Manly, laying on three tries in what was easily his best performance of the year. He’ll enjoy the big stage at Suncorp, but the Titans will need another man-of-the-match game from him to be any chance.
Tip: Broncos
Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium 7.35pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 60 Sea Eagles 48 drawn 5
Last clash: Round 24 2011 – Sea Eagles 27 bt Bulldogs 16 at Brookvale Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $2.00 Sea Eagles $1.80
FootyTAB: Bulldogs +1.5
The match Manly fans have been waiting for all season, and Canterbury coach Des Hasler has surely been dreading. This is the first encounter between the clubs since Hasler famously walked out on the Sea Eagles a week after winning last year’s grand final. There’s sure to be plenty of spiteful comments coming from the stands, but that may be the most fireworks you see all night. Neither side enters this clash in any sort of form – having won just one of their past four games. Manly welcome back key trio Kieran Foran and Brett and Glenn Stewart from injury.
Key: Glenn Stewart has been missed in a massive way by the Sea Eagles since injuring his thumb in round one. The lock forward has an enormous impact in both attack and defence and will be pivotal if the Sea Eagles are to win.
Tip: Sea Eagles
SATURDAY, April 28
South Sydney Rabbitohs v North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium 7.30pm
Head to Head: Souths 11 Cowboys 9 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 24 2011 – Souths 26 bt Cowboys 24 at ANZ Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Souths $1.95 Cowboys $1.85
FootyTAB: Souths +1.5
This looms as a clash of two teams that are on the verge of announcing themselves as premiership contenders. The Rabbitohs have played better than their record suggests and would dearly love to take down a top-four side, while the Cowboys simply need to overcome their crippling fear of Sydney. They’ve won just five of their past 30 games played in the Olympic city but will take some confidence out of winning their past three road games. Souths star Nathan Merritt (toe) has been named on the bench to play his first game of the year, but is likely to move into the starting line-up on the wing at the expense of Chris McQueen. Prop Matt Scott remains a chance to be a late inclusion for the Cowboys.
Key: Souths need to start strong. They fell behind early against the Warriors in round seven and ended up going down 44-22. The Cowboys are the fastest starters in the NRL, having scored the opening try in their past six games. Souths can’t afford to let them get a headstart on Saturday.
Tip: Rabbitohs
SUNDAY, April 29
Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium 2.00pm
Head to Head: Raiders 26 Sharks 30
Last clash: Round 18 2011 – Sharks 26 bt Raiders 12 at Toyota Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Raiders $2.00 Sharks $1.80
FootyTAB: Raiders +1.5
Todd Carney is very much the man of the moment, inspiring the Sharks to the previously unfathomable form of five successive wins. He returns to play the first of two former clubs that have sacked him, looking to cement his position as this year’s choice of NSW five-eighth. The Raiders have once again been blighted with injuries, with Josh Dugan still out with a shoulder issue and the luckless Terry Campese coming to terms with another season-ending ACL injury. Workaholic back-rower Shaun Fensom returns from a torn bicep and young Sam Williams returns at halfback. Cronulla have a decent record in the nation’s capital, winning three of the past five meetings between the sides and will feel confident.
Key: Raiders veteran head of recruitment David Hamilton said last year Sam Williams was a good a prospect as Carney when he signed him. He gets his chance to see if he’s still on track when the pair go head-to-head.
Tip: Raiders
Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers at Parramatta Stadium 3.00pm
Head to Head: Eels 15 Tigers 8 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 24 2011 – Tigers 31 bt Eels 12 at Allianz Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Eels $2.60 Tigers $1.50
FootyTAB: Eels +5.5
The Tigers put Penrith to sword 30-0 in their last outing to put an end to their run of five straight losses and now face a Parramatta side short of confidence, wins and the inability to perform unless Jarryd Hayne plays well. No team in the NRL relies more on one player than the Eels and should he reproduce his heroics in defeat against Cronulla, it could be a good day for the hosts. If he goes missing, as he did in last week’s City-Country game, then the Tigers could have a field day. Robbie Farah was outstanding from dummy-half for City in Mudgee and could prove the difference between the two teams.
Key: Former Eel Tom Humble returns to his old stomping ground with a point to prove. Humble was barley given a look in for Parramatta at halfback and has the chance to outshine the struggling Chris Sandow.
Tip: Tigers
MONDAY, April 30
Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers at Hunter Stadium 7.00pm
Head to Head: Knights 19 Panthers 13 drawn 3
Last clash: Round 15 2011 – Knights 16 bt Panthers 12 at Hunter Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Knights $1.43 Panthers $2.85
FootyTAB: Panthers +7.5
If any other team had signed Willie Mason then it would have been labelled a desperate move. But with Wayne Bennett’s uncanny knack of getting the best out his players, it will be interesting to see how the former NSW and Australian Test prop fares at Newcastle. The 32-year-old is a walking headline and ensures plenty of interest in a game that doesn’t exactly get the pulses racing. Penrith are struggling badly with the loss of experienced players such as Michael Jennings, Nathan Smith and Tim Grant. Blake Austin comes in for Travis Burns at five-eighth as Ivan Cleary looks to kick-start an attack that hasn’t scored a point in 160 minutes.
Key: The Knights have been average in attack at best in their past two matches against Parramatta and St George Illawarra, with all three tries they have scored coming from Akuila Uate. If Penrith can stop the Test winger, they may just have a chance.
Tip: Knights
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