NRL Round 8 preview (Part 2)

Tradition will continue in Round 8 of the NRL with the Dragons taking on the Roosters and the Storm doing battle with the Warriors in their annual Anzac Day fixtures.

Meanwhile, the Cronulla Sharks will be looking to continue their strong brand of football when they meet the Panthers while the Knights will host the Sea Eagles in Newcastle.

Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers
Sunday, April 24, 4pm (AEST) at Southern Cross Group Stadium

Shane Flanagan’s Sharks got a massive win over the Raiders last week in the nation’s capital, and will be hungry for another victory when they host the Panthers.

Led by James Maloney and Ben Barba, Cronulla are emerging as New South Wales’ best premiership hope and will be looking to confirm their status as Sydney’s top team with a big win over Penrith.

They will be boosted by the return of State of Origin forward Luke Lewis, who replaces Joseph Paulo on the bench, but a win won’t come easily.

The Panthers are one of the competition’s dark horses, having featured in some incredibly close fixtures in recent weeks.

Penrith only just managed to get a win over the Roosters on Monday night after going down to the Cowboys in a close one the week before and also defeating the Eels by two points in the past three weeks.

Jamie Soward stepped up for Penrith last week with an incredible kicking game, especially in the closing stages of the match as the Roosters put in a last-ditch plea to get another win on the board.

Soward will be required to bring a similar effort on Sunday afternoon, with the former State of Origin representative to be faced with a tough side featuring a monstrous forward pack and star backline featuring a plethora of experienced players.

Matches between the two clubs have been pretty even with the Sharks winning 15 of 29 meetings while Penrith have come out on top 13 times, and with one encounter finishing even.

The two clubs met just once in 2015, with Penrith winning in Round 8 26-18 in Penrith.

Prediction
Cronulla will continue their strong form and rack up an impressive win at Woolooware.

Sharks by 12.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 4pm (AEST)
Venue: Southern Cross Group Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Panthers defeated Sharks 28-16 (Round 8, 2015)
Head-to-head: 29 played – Sharks 15, Panthers 13
Sharks last three games: 40-16 versus Raiders, 25-20 versus Titans, 34-26 versus Wests Tigers
Panthers last three games: 20-16 versus Roosters, 18-23 versus Cowboys, 20-18 versus Eels

Cronulla Sharks
1. Ben Barba, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Ricky Letuele, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. James Maloney, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Michael Ennis, 10. Sam Tagataese, 11. Jayson Bukuya, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange: 14. Gerard Beale, 15. Chris Heighington, 16. Matt Prior, 17. Luke Lewis

Penrith Panthers
1. Matt Moylan (c), 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Jamie Soward, 8. Leilani Latu, 9. Peter Wallace, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Bryce Cartwright, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Sam McKendry, 16. Suaia Matagi, 17. James Fisher-Harris, 20. Elijah Taylor, 21. Jeremy Latimore

Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles
Monday, April 25, 2pm (AEST) at Hunter Stadium

The Newcastle Knights will be hoping to bounce back from a massive loss at the hands of the Brisbane Broncos when they kick off Anzac Day in their clash with the Manly Sea Eagles.

Newcastle struggled immensely last week as the Broncos highlighted the massive gap between the NRL’s top two teams – Brisbane and North Queensland – and the remaining 14 sides vying for the coveted Provan-Summons Trophy.

The Novocastrians were schooled across the park, holding only 39per cent possession, completing a mere 19 of 28 sets, and running almost a kilometre less than the top-of-the-table Broncos.

Nathan Brown’s side will need a huge improvement in Round 8, and they welcome Danny Levi and Jeremy Smith back into the side at the expense of Jack Stockwell and Pauli Pauli. Mickey Paea comes onto an extended bench.

It will be a huge test for Newcastle who will go up against a Manly who have so far failed to meet expectations in 2016.

Trent Barrett, who was formerly mentored by Brown when playing for the St George Illawarra Dragons, was unable to steer the Silvertails to a win over the Eels last week at Brookvale Oval, with the Sea Eagles going down 22-10.

Apisai Koroisau will prove once again to be a pivotal cog in the Sea Eagles’ line-up, the Fijian hooker filling the void left by Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback with the Australian international currently sidelined with a syndesmosis injury.

Matt Parcell and Brenton Lawrence will return for Manly alongside Brayden Wiliame, with Jorge Taufua and Josh Starling absent from the team list and Blake Leary being relegated to 18th man.

In 25 meetings, the Knights have won 12 games to Manly’s 13.

The two clubs met only once in 2015, with the Sea Eagles winning at Brookvale Oval 30-10 in Round 9.

Historically, Manly have struggled against Newcastle at Hunter Stadium, winning just two of eleven meetings at the ground.

Prediction
The Knights will be hard to beat with Manly to struggle at the Novocastrians’ fortress.

Knights by 10.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 2pm (AEST)
Venue: Hunter Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Sea Eagles defeated Knights 30-10 (Round 9, 2015)
Head-to-head: 25 played – Knights 12, Sea Eagles 13
Knights last three games: 0-53 versus Broncos, 18-16 versus Wests Tigers, 14-18 versus Storm
Sea Eagles last three games: 10-22 versus Eels, 34-18 versus Warriors, 12-16 versus Rabbitohs

Newcastle Knights
1. Dane Gagai, 2. Nathan Ross, 3. Sione Mata’utia, 4. Pat Mata’utia, 5. Akuila Uate, 6. Jarrod Mullen, 7. Trent Hodkinson (c), 8. Sam Mataora, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tariq Sims (c), 12. Korbin Sims, 13. Jeremy Smith (c)
Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell, 15. Josh King, 16. Jacob Saifiti, 17. David Bhana, 18. Mickey Paea

Manly Sea Eagles
1. Brett Stewart, 2. Brayden Wiliame, 3. Jamie Lyon (c), 4. Steve Matai, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Dylan Walker, 7. Apisai Koroisau, 8. Darcy Lussick, 9. Matt Parcell, 10. Nate Myles, 11. Tom Symonds, 12. Martin Taupau, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Lewis Brown, 15. Addin Fonua-Blake, 16. Brenton Lawrence, 17. Siosaia Vave, 18. Blake Leary

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters
Monday, April 25, 4pm (AEST) at Allianz Stadium

The St George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters will renew their traditional rivalry when the two Sydney-based clubs lock horns at the Sydney Football Stadium on Anzac Day.

The Dragons are finally back in the winner’s circle after defeating the Gold Coast Titans 19-14 last week. That victory followed a fortnight from hell which saw the joint venture go scoreless against the Cowboys and Broncos in the first two legs of their Queensland road trip while conceding a massive 62 points.

Gareth Widdop led the way for the Dragons last week, and the England international will no doubt be looking to replicate his performance as his side look to salvage another win before they head across the ditch to take on the Warriors in Round 9.

After last week’s performance, Paul McGregor has made no changes, with Josh McCrone to partner Widdop in the halves once again while forwards Mike Cooper and Jack de Belin will be hoping to continue their impressive form up front.

Wins have also been hard to come by for the Sydney Roosters, who sit at the bottom of the table with just one win to their name coming against the Rabbitohs 17-10 a fortnight ago.

Easts came close to defeating the Panthers on Monday night in their 20-16 loss at Allianz Stadium and will be desperate to get a second win on the board.

Boyd Cordner was heavily expected to be named in Trent Robinson’s team, however the State of Origin star was not on the team sheet, with Abraham Papalii added as 18th man in an unchanged side.

Don’t be surprised if Cordner is a late inclusion in the tricolours’ line-up on game day.

In 34 meetings since 1998, the Dragons have won 18 matches with the Roosters’ victorious on 15 occasions. One meeting between the two has been tied.

Last time they met, the Roosters won 19-14 when the Dragons took a game to Moore Park in Round 15, 2015.

Prior to that encounter, they met on Anzac Day last year, with the St George emerging 14-12 in horrendous weather which saw the game delayed.

Since the Anzac Day Cup was introduced back in 2002, the Dragons have won nine matches while Easts have come out on top in five meetings.

Prediction
The Roosters will be desperate for a win as they hope to lift themselves off the bottom of the table and will welcome the Anzac Day Cup back to Bondi.

Roosters by 10.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 4pm (AEST)
Venue: Allianz Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Dragons defeated Roosters 19-14 (Round 15, 2015)
Head-to-head: 34 played – Dragons 18, Roosters 15
Dragons last three games: 19-14 versus Titans, 0-26 versus Broncos, 0-36 versus Dragons
Roosters last three games: 16-20 versus Panthers, 17-10 versus Rabbitohs, 28-32 versus Warriors

St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Josh Dugan, 2. Kalifa Faifai Loa, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Gareth Widdop (c), 7. Josh McCrone, 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Mike Cooper, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Joel Thompson, 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14. Russell Packer, 15. Will Matthews, 16. Dunamis Lui, 17. Siliva Havili

Sydney Roosters
1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Brendan Elliot, 4. Blake Ferguson, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Jayden Nikorima, 7. Jackson Hastings, 8. Sam Moa, 9. Jake Friend (c), 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Mitchell Aubusson, 12. Aidan Guerra, 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14. Kane Evans, 15. Mitchell Frei, 16. Eloni Vunakece, 17. Connor Watson, 18. Abraham Papalii

Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors
Monday, April 25, 7pm (AEST) at AAMI Park

Storm and Warriors fans rejoice! The annual Anzac Day clash is back following a one-year hiatus in 2015, with both teams hoping to boost their credentials with a win.

Melbourne earned a tight 19-18 win at Leichhardt Oval last week when they knocked over the Wests Tigers in golden point courtesy of a Cooper Cronk field goal.

The Storm were assisted by Fijian flyer Suliasi Vunivalu, who had a dream NRL debut by bagging a double, including a try just 66 seconds into his first NRL appearance.

Vunivalu will not return for the Storm’s clash with the Warriors due to the return of Young Tonumaipea in the only change to Craig Bellamy’s side.

The New Zealand Warriors have also made just one change, with a season-ending injury to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifting Tuimoala Lolohea to fullback, while Manu Vatuvei comes onto the wing, relegating Jonathan Wright to the bench and bringing Thomas Leuluai in at five-eighth.

Lolohea starred for the Warriors in Wellington last week as the New Zealand side racked up a 24-20 victory over the Bulldogs.

Lolohea was brilliant stepping into Tuivasa-Sheck’s role at the back with Thomas Leuluai shifting in nicely in the halves after spending months on the sideline.

The Warriors are beginning to show signs they could make the eight, but they will need to put in a huge effort this week with the franchise sitting just shy of a spot in the top half of the competition.

In 37 meetings since 1998, the Storm have won 19 fixtures, with two tied, and the Warriors have claimed the points on 16 occasions.

Last time they met was in Round 18 of 2015, with the Warriors prevailing 28-14 in Auckland. Their previous meeting, however, saw Melbourne come out on top at AAMI Park, 30-14.

Prediction
This match will be extremely close. Expect the Warriors to just scrape past Melbourne with Tuimoala Lolohea to star at the back and Shaun Johnson to lead the way for the New Zealand side.

Warriors by 4.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7pm (AEST)
Venue: AAMI Park
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Warriors defeated Storm 28-14 (Round 18, 2015)
Head-to-head: 37 played – Storm 19, Warriors 16
Storm last three games: 19-18 versus Wests Tigers, 12-18 versus Bulldogs, 18-14 versus Knights
Warriors last three games: 24-20 versus Bulldogs, 18-34 versus Sea Eagles, 32-28 versus Roosters

Melbourne Storm
1. Cameron Munster, 2. Young Tonumaipea, 3. Richard Kennar, 4. Ben Hampton, 5. Marika Koroibete, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Kenneath Bromwich, 15. Tim Glasby, 16. Felise Kaufusi, 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

New Zealand Warriors
1. Tuimoala Lolohea, 2. David Fusitua, 3. Blake Ayshford, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Thomas Leuluai, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Sam Lisone, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Ben Matulino, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman (c), 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Jonathan Wright, 15. Jacob Lillyman, 16. Charlie Gubb, 17. Ligi Sao

Roarers, which game are you most looking forward to in Round 8? How is your team going so far in 2016?

In case you missed it, you can read part one of my Round 8 preview here.