After already predicting the final finishing predictions for the current top three teams (Manly, Penrith and Canterbury) yesterday, it is time to look at the next three teams.
All on 22 points and fighting for the final top four positions are the Rabbitohs, Roosters and Warriors.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
At the start of the season, coach Michael Maguire made the decision to throw rookie Luke Keary into five-eighth and put John Sutton at lock.
These plans were thrown into disarray however with Keary suffering a pectoral injury in the Auckland Nines.
It didn’t affect the team’s balance however, with a first up 28-8 win over reigning premiers Sydney Roosters. Throughout the season Souths have done well uncovering youngsters Kirisome Auva’a, Alex Johnston and Apisai Koroisau, the latter with the tough assignment of replacing Isaac Luke at hooker.
Nathan Merritt broke Benny Wearing’s record for most tries for the club and was later dropped from first grade. All four Burgess brothers have appeared in many games and Glenn Stewart signed on.
However Sam Burgess signed for Bath rugby union club in England, with the intention of playing in next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Regular season pediction: sixth, with five wins and three losses. A last round loss to the Roosters as well as one-point losses to Manly and Canterbury will cost the Rabbitohs a higher spot on the ladder but they will be there again in September.
Finals prediction: preliminary finals. A seven-point win in the first week of the finals will keep the Rabbitohs in the hunt. In week two, Penrith will suffer the Rabbitohs wrath before Souths have a rematch of the 2012 preliminary final against Canterbury. But history will repeat, Canterbury progressing to the grand final and three-straight preliminary final losses for Souths will confirm their status as genuine choke artists.
Sydney Roosters
The reigning premiers were criticised at the start of the season for resting all their big name players from the Auckland Nines.
At the tournament Brad Fittler was brought out of a 10-year retirement, scoring a classic intercept try against Brisbane. A week later, Michael Jennings became the first man to score three tries in a World Club Challenge during their 36-14 defeat of Wigan at Allianz Stadium.
However, their season began dreadfully with a 28-8 loss to South Sydney in Round 1. The following week they belted Parramatta 56-4. A last gasp win over Brisbane had them back on track, but they then went down 8-0 to Manly, 9-8 to Canterbury and 14-12 to Parramatta.
Halves James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce were dropped from Origin, giving the Roosters a bonus as they rocked back into gear. However injuries and Origin commitments saw Daniel Tupou, Boyd Cordner, Aidan Guerra, Michael Jennings and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck missing from their match against the lowly Sharks just two weeks ago.
Anthony Minichiello went off injured during the match and the door was open for Cronulla, scoring an unbelievable 30-28 win after trailing 24-0. The Tricolours don’t have a very easy run home with matches against the high-flying Panthers and the Dragons, Rabbitohs and Warriors.
Regular season prediction: fifth, with six wins and two losses. The Roosters will stand up following their loss to a Cronulla side they should have beaten by 40.
Finals prediction: semi finals. After a Round 26 win over South Sydney the Roosters will host Brisbane in the elimination final, winning by six. The next week, ironically mirroring 2008, they will travel to Auckland and get beaten by the Warriors, ending their season and the rugby league career of Sonny Bill Williams.
However captain Anthony Minichiello will commit to one more season at Bondi Junction.
New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors of New Zealand were smokeys for many punters following their good finish to 2013. A semi final appearance at the Auckland Nines gave fans confidence, but a first round thrashing by Parramatta brought them back down to earth.
Matthew Elliot left early in the year allowing Andrew McFadden to take over as interim coach. English import Sam Tomkins started firing as did Shaun Johnson and Konrad Hurrell. This lifted the 2011 grand finalists into the top eight for the first time in two years.
Many people have put the Warriors back as their smokey for the premiership.
Regular season prediction: fourth, with seven wins and one loss to end the season.
The Warriors have won three straight games. They will win the next seven to give a total of ten straight wins. They will lose their last round match against Penrith at Sportingbet Stadium 10-8.
Finals prediction: Runners-up. In week one of the finals the Warriors will travel to ANZ Stadium to take on minor premiers Canterbury. The following week they return home to Auckland and end the Sydney Roosters’ season.
In week three they upset Manly 23-18 to book a shock grand final appearance with Canterbury but for the fourth time in 2014, the Bulldogs will get the better of the Warriors. They will win the grand final 16-4.
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