The National Rugby League is back after a one-week hiatus where the representative season officially began with a bang at Hunter Stadium. Coincidentally, we’re also back with NRL tips for another week.
No we’re not talking about the green and golden oldie Kangaroos and New Zealand’s gallant second string outfit. Of course, we’re speaking about the mighty Jillaroos and the Kiwi Ferns who put on quite a show in Newcastle.
That was followed by two thoroughly entertaining Pacific showdowns and a slashing City victory over Country in Tamworth. And don’t forget, Lebanon clashed with Cook Islands on Sunday at Belmore Sportsground. From all reports, the drum-beating cheer squad at Belmore put the 1995 Auckland Warriors to shame.
If that weekend taught us anything it’s the absolute fact we need more international footy!
Give these emerging nations the media coverage they deserve. With a little bit of help and a few NRL dollars for advertising, Lebanon playing at Belmore could quickly become as popular as Samoa or Tonga playing at Pirtek, Campbelltown or Pepper Stadium.
The best part of all is Samoa are set to play Fiji in October – wait for it – in Samoa!
It’s one thing playing internationals in Sydney.
It’s another letting our players return to their homelands and play in front of their own people.
P.S. Paying them would be great too.
EVERY NRL GAME THIS SEASON WILL BE LIVE ON FOXTEL
Catch Curtis and The81stMinute Commentary Team this Saturday from 12pm on steelesports.com.au
Lachlan Bickley
Tips: Raiders, Eels, Panthers, Cowboys, Broncos (Powerplay), Sharks, Bulldogs, Roosters.
“Many Raiders fans were incensed with the refereeing in Round 9 but perhaps they should look at the team’s terrible line defence, awful error rate and general lack of composure in that game instead. All that being said the Dragons still haven’t demonstrated that they can score enough points to compete with any team that has any semblance of an attack and the Raiders can, for all their flaws, do that.
“For the second game in a row the Panthers take a home game away, this time they’re playing in Christchurch. But even without a genuine home crowd I still expect them to be too strong against the Warriors.
“After a bright beginning to start the season the Titans have hit the wall in recent weeks while the Roosters are finally up and running with a full complement. Roosters should be too strong.”
Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Raiders, Eels (Powerplay), Panthers, Storm, Broncos, Sharks, Wests Tigers, Roosters.
“How could I tip against my beloved Eels for this game? Teams that have suffered setbacks almost always come out to prove a point. I’m predicting the Eels to win in a fiery affair.
“The Storm have been consistent this year and are sitting third on the competition table. I’m tipping the Storm… only just.
“Despite being disappointing away from home, the Knights always turn up at Newcastle. Despite this, the Sharks pack will simply be too strong. Sharks to continue their path to the top of the table with Nathan Ross to score a try.”
Tim Gore
Tips: Raiders, Eels, Panthers, Cowboys, Broncos (Powerplay), Sharks, Bulldogs, Titans.
“Raiders to beat the Dragons at Kogarah. The last time these two sides met at Kogarah was 2004 and Henry Perenara was playing for the Dragons. And the Raiders won.
“Broncos to beat Sea Eagles. Though not by as much as people think.
“Canterbury five-eighth Josh Reynolds wants to play Origin. A fired up Reynolds will lead the Dogs to victory.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips: Raiders, Eels, Warriors, Storm, Broncos (Powerplay), Sharks, Bulldogs, Roosters.
“Why am I such a glutton for punishment? Who do I stoop so low as to think the New Zealand Warriors won’t burn me again?
“I think Melbourne can cause an upset up at Suncorp against the red-hot North Queensland Cowboys.
“Almost took Wests Tigers against Canterbury but the clunky Bulldogs should have enough in the engine room to outmuscle the joint venture club.”
| Round 10 | Lachlan | Tim | Mary | Curtis | The Crowd |
| DRAvRAI | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders |
| EELvRAB | Eels | Eels | Eels | Eels | Eels |
| PANvWAR | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Warriors | Panthers |
| STOvCOW | Cowboys | Cowboys | Storm | Storm | Cowboys |
| EAGvBRO | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos |
| KNIvSHA | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks |
| WESvBUL | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Wests Tigers | Bulldogs | Bulldogs |
| TITvROO | Roosters | Titans | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters |
| POWERPLAY | Broncos | Broncos | Eels | Broncos | Sharks |
| OVERALL | 54 | 51 | 51 | 49 | 57 |
Join The Crowd and topple the experts again next week!
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