NRL Round 6 preview: Cowboys, Dragons and Sharks to continue winning ways

Another round of the National Rugby League has passed, with plenty of upset victories. Tipping this week proves exceedingly difficult with injuries plaguing the chances of many sides.

Brisbane Broncos versus Sydney Roosters
The Broncos’ defence last Friday Night was superb in the opening half, laying the foundation for a comfortable victory. Anthony Milford would have gained confidence from that victory, scoring two tries on the way. The Roosters on the other hand, were outenthused by a winless Cronulla outfit and need their halves Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney to step up.

They made 10 uncharacteristic errors, with the sparkling form of fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck the only promising feature of an otherwise uninspiring effort, running 339 metres. The Broncos have won 23 of their 37 clashes with the Roosters, however the Roosters have won four of their past five at Suncorp. For me, this one is dependent on the form of Mitch Pearce and James Maloney.

Roosters by 8

Cronulla Sharks versus Newcastle Knights
This match shapes as pivotal to the chances of both sides this season. The last time these sides met at Remondis, the Sharks blew an 18-point lead to fall 31-18. It will be interesting to note how Ben Barba will be utilised with Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes starring in the Sharks’ victory over the Roosters.

The Knights finally collapsed at the hands of the Dragons, and as expected were unable to maintain their enthusiasm. A loss here would be detrimental and could see them drift away from their blistering early season form.

The Knights, like the Panthers of 2014, have a quite favourable draw for the majority of the 2015 season, however, games like these are must-wins, considering a rough run home with matches against Bulldogs, Storm, Roosters and Rabbitohs to come in the final rounds.

The match up in the halves is quite intriguing with Jack Bird scoring two tries, setting up another and running 124 metres in a barnstorming performance. The Sharks will start early favourites, however, their record at Remondis is just awful, and many are tipping an upset.

This match hinges on how the Knights respond to last week’s shutout.

Sharks by 4

Parramatta Eels versus Gold Coast Titans
The Eels were pretty ordinary against the Tigers. It is as simple as that. The Titans were valiant in defeat, as execution was the killer blow in their bout. Both sides have averaged conceding an excess of 20 points a game (Eels 22 versus Titans 25), however, the Eels hold a clear advantage offensively with 21 points on average compared to 15 from the Gold Coast.

This is certainly a danger game for Parramatta, however, I am expecting a big one from Chris Sandow. The Eels return to Pirtek, and on this basis, they will win.

Eels by 10

New Zealand Warriors versus Wests Tigers
Despite a mountain of possession, the Warriors failed to break Melbourne’s defence in last Monday’s blockbuster and paid for it. The Tigers on the other hand, left it late to conjure some Pat Richards brilliance and claim a runaway victory.

However, this week they travel over the ditch against a Warriors outfit who will be disappointed after only claiming two victories in the opening five rounds of the competition. The Tigers will take confidence in their early season defence, an absolute improvement on last year.

By the same time last season, the Tigers had conceded 132 points, for an average of 26 points a game. This season, however, that has been reduced to a total of 73, an extremely impressive 15 points and second best in the league.

In Round 4 last year, these two sides met at Mt Smart with the Warriors rampaging home by 24 points. The Warriors forwards and flashy backs will look to dominate this contest and it could easily end a blowout.

Warriors by 6

Penrith Panthers versus Manly Sea Eagles
As a Panthers fan I am seeing shades of the Panthers of 2011 and 2012. That is concerning. Without Jamie Soward, Penrith’s attack has been awful averaging 12 points a game to a previously high 32. Peter Wallace has failed to direct his team with play that is not only predictable but frankly uninspiring.

With such talented youngsters they are really disappointing, and despite having games against lowly Manly, Titans and Sharks to follow, I am genuinely concerned they may lose all to skyrocket to the bottom.

As for Manly, they have been even worse. With only one victory coming in controversial circumstances, Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran went missing last weekend, with a $500 reward for those who could find the previously influential halves. Manly have been decimated by injury, but so have Penrith. All makes for a pretty dour contest in my opinion.

As a Penrith fan, Cherry-Evans could inspire Manly despite recent form and must be watched. However, here’s hoping that Penrith stick with a halves combination and that George Jennings makes a timely return after showing defensive and attacking grit in his debut.

One would hope that another trip up to Penrith will not be another reminder of what it means to have expectations not met.

Panthers by 7

Canberra Raiders versus Melbourne Storm
The Raiders may only have two wins this season, however, they have proved they could contend for a Top 8 spot with improved performances. The Storm have also surprised, and look a great chance of a Top 4 finish, depending on the dreaded ‘Origin hangover’.

They seem to have rediscovered their clinical style with some grinding, professional victories, bouncing back from their devastating last minute loss in Townsville earlier in the season. After being hammered by Melbourne 68-4 at GIO Stadium in 2013, Paul Vaughan turned superhero crashing over to give the Raiders a breathtaking 24-22 upset victory.

I really want to tip the Raiders for the upset, but I will lean towards a professional Storm outfit.

Storm by 14

St George Illawarra Dragons versus Canterbury Bulldogs
Defence wins games. After five rounds, it comes as a shock to many that the Dragons currently have the best defence in the competition, conceding only 58 points. Their poor attack was highlighted early in the season, however, this has been silenced by an improved defensive attitude.

It is concerning that the Dragons have scored a mere 55 points (11 p.p.g), however, it is their defence that is winning them games and they will need to continue this against a motivated Bulldogs outfit. The Bulldogs will be missing the likes of Tim Lafai, Brett Morris, James Graham, Sam Kasiano and David Klemmer. The absence of Graham and his fellow forwards will mean the Dogs forwards will need to step up. Morris and Lafai’s absence, on the other hand, places pressure of halves Reynolds and Hodkinson to provide a spark in attack.

Klemmer made a staggering 220 metres last week, while Graham made a solid 44 tackles.

Such factors encourage an upset. One thing is for sure, security will be beefed up by the end of this one.

Dragons by 6

South Sydney Rabbitohs versus North Queensland Cowboys
Unfortunately for the Rabbitohs, the Cowboys are beginning to find form. I was at the game on Monday Night and their forwards were inspirational, winning them the game. Taumalolo ran for over 200 metres, with Matthew Scott and James Tamou also finishing a touch under the 200 mark.

Such statistics show the vast improvement in Tamou’s game from averaging just over 100 metres per game earlier in the year. South Sydney were incredibly lucky to come away with victory last weekend, with uncharacteristic errors plaguing their chances of a convincing victory. John Sutton is set to return and replace injured Adam Reynolds in the halves and I feel the Cowboys are in the groove and the upset seems likely.

Cowboys by 8