Here’s my preview for Round 10 of the National Rugby league.
South Sydney Rabbitohs versus Melbourne Storm
The Storm are well below their best, however they will need to kick-start their season with State of Origin looming. They face a tough ask against a South Sydney outfit who have won four of their past five games.
Melbourne have the class to prevail, however they will need to build a strong start to the match, as the Rabbitohs have blown the Broncos and Titans away in their last two games following a blistering first 20 minutes. The Storm have won nine of their past 11 against the Rabbitohs.
Tip: Rabbitohs 18-14
Brisbane Broncos versus Gold Coast Titans
The Titans were given a reality-check last week as they failed to compete with an enthusiastic Rabbitohs side. If the Titans are to compete with Brisbane in this Queensland rivalry their forwards must step up in the absence of Greg Bird.
The Broncos, on the other hand, have shown spirit in their past two losses and will like their chances against a side yet to win at Suncorp Stadium.
Tip: Broncos 26-12
Parramatta Eels versus St George Illawarra Dragons
After a great start to the season the Dragons have slumped to lose four of their last five and will be desperate to bounce back against an enigmatic Eels side that demolished Cronulla on Monday night.
The Dragons will need to shut down Jarryd Hayne to have any chance of competing on Saturday afternoon. They have won nine of their past 12 against Parramatta, however the Eels are yet to lose at Pirtek Stadium and the boot of halfback Chris Sandow may just get them over the line.
Tip: Eels 17-16
Cronulla Sharks versus Wests Tigers
The Sharks need to gain control of their season fast having won only two games this season, and will be hurting with the added loss of Test international Andrew Fifita. For the Tigers, they receive the services of captain Robbie Farah and will be confident of a win.
This clash is always interesting, with many star players including Beau Ryan and Blake Ayshford joining the Sharks from Wests. Both teams are expected to lose key players to Origin duty in the coming weeks. After disappointing losses last week, expect defence to be the contributing factor.
Tip: Tigers 22-18
North Queensland Cowboys versus Sydney Roosters
The Cowboys and Roosters have both returned to form in previous weeks to prove their premiership credentials. However, who will crack this week?
Opposing Origin five-eighths James Maloney and Johnathan Thurston take to the field in this clash, both hoping to secure wins for their team. The loss of Mitchell Pearce to suspension is unfortunate and further encourages an upset. The Cowboys have only lost one game at home this season, and are a good chance of ruffling the Roosters’ feathers, with a win likely to see them re-enter the top eight. However, I am leaning towards the Roosters, just.
Tip: Roosters 16-12
Canberra Raiders versus Penrith Panthers
The Raiders have been demolished in the past two weeks and will be praying to bounce back in front of their home fans when they take on the Panthers. Penrith continued their win-loss pattern last week as they overpowered the Newcastle Knights in dismal conditions.
The Panthers and Raiders share one of the closest rivalries, with the Panthers currently holding a 32-31 advantage. Jack Wighton moves back to his preferred position in the centres for Canberra, which will test Penrith as Wighton ran a mammoth 162 metres in his last game in that position. However, Penrith have their own running machine in Jamal Idris, who is averaging 135 metres a game. Will Canberra bounce back or will Penrith claim their first back-to-back wins of the year?
Tip: Panthers 28-12
Canterbury Bulldogs versus New Zealand Warriors
The Bulldogs have won six games in a row to stand alone at the top of the competition ladder, and boast the best attack and defence as well. They seem to be resembling the Roosters team from last year.
But can the Bulldogs reach that height? One thing is undeniable, the Bulldogs halves have been on fire, and even scrutinised forward Tony Williams is returning to his damaging best.
However, if there is any team that could upset the Bulldogs it is the Warriors. The Warriors were at their devastating best last week when they hammered the Raiders and will be looking to avenge a one-point loss to the Bulldogs back in Round 6. This is arguably the hardest game of the round to tip, because you just don’t know which Warriors team will turn up.
Tip: Warriors 22-20
Manly Sea Eagles versus Newcastle Knights
Like the Sharks it is beginning to become desperate for the Knights as they look to upset a Manly side gallant in defeat last week against Melbourne. Newcastle have lost four of their last five, however their forward pack will be given a massive boost with the return of Willie Mason and Korbin Sims.
Meanwhile, Manly are still without stars Jamie Lyon and Kieran Foran. I rate the Knights. Even though they have been underwhelming recently, they still boast one of the best backlines in the competition who, when at their best, can terrorise any opposition. Jarrod Mullen is also in stellar form. The last time these two sides played Manly triumphed 32-0 at Brookvale, and despite their dire situation, I think that the fortress may just be too much to overcome for the Knights.
Tip: Manly 28-10
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
South Sydney will welcome back Latrell Mitchell but have been forced to field three debutants for their meeting with the Dragons on Saturday after…
Wayne Bennett is set for a face-to-face with the South Sydney hierarchy at Magic Round, according to reports in Newscorp outlets. His interest in…
The NRL referee copped flak online for her refereeing in the Tigers-Bulldogs game, with Billy Slater saying it went too far in no uncertain…
James Graham flamed the Bunker after some dodgy decision in Round 9, and Gorden Tallis suggested a way to overhaul it.
There’s a joke in soccer that if you sack your coach midway through the season, you give it to Big Sam until the end…
The lack of respect shown to Kasey Badger as she refereed Saturday’s Wests Tigers vs Canterbury Bulldogs game is unfortunately nothing new. Nor is…
