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It was more like an A-League game than the NRL at times on Thursday night. A packed bay, all in black, cheering and chanting…
Game 1 of State of Origin 2016 is done and dusted and in its wake comes Round 13 action and The Roar‘s NRL expert tips.
Round 13 will see intriguing road trips for two of Queensland’s clubs in the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans. The Broncos head to Auckland to face the New Zealand Warriors but the big question is how many of their State of Origin stars will actually show up?
Master coach Wayne Bennett has been highly critical of scheduling and it will be interesting to see if he rests his Queensland representatives or throws them to the lions on Saturday. Matt Gillett and Corey Oates won’t make the flight over to New Zealand but veterans Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday and Darius Boyd have been named.
The Titans collide with South Sydney in Perth on Sunday night with new recruits Nathan Peats and Konrad Hurrell named on an extended bench.
Will the Titans cause another upset or can the Rabbitohs re-find the form that made them a powerhouse of the NRL?
Lachlan Bickley
Tips: Raiders, Broncos, Cowboys (Powerplay), Storm, Roosters, Titans, Sharks.
“On a cold Friday night two days after Origin I’m guessing the Eagles won’t want much to do with a Raiders forward pack that with the addition of Junior Paulo now weighs in at around three metric tons.
“The Tigers lifted against the Broncos reserve grade forward pack but this is a fully armed and operational Roosters pack now. Even with Teddy back they will struggle.
“Titans have been the surprise packet of the season and I expect them to topple the aimless Rabbitohs.”
Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Raiders, Warriors, Cowboys (Powerplay), Storm, Wests Tigers, Rabbitohs, Sharks.
“It is unclear at this stage how many Broncos players will be rested following Origin on Wednesday night. I’m making this tip on an inkling that Parker and Thaiday (at least) will not make the trip to NZ.
“On the back of leading NSW to victory tonight, Adam Reynolds will do the same for the Bunnies on Sunday. Wait, is this meant to be a tip or dreaming into the future?
“Despite a loss to the Raiders last week, the Bulldogs were very good (particularly Josh Reynolds who may be trying to prove to Laurie Daley that he is worthy of SOO selection). I expect lots of points out of this one, but the Sharks are one of the best teams in the comp and with very little disruption from Origin, I am expecting them to get the win.”
Tim Gore
Tips: Raiders, Warriors, Cowboys (Powerplay), Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Sharks.
“Brisbane travelling to Auckland is a tough one. The warriors to rise to the Brisbane challenge and win a tight one.
“The Panthers don’t win in Melbourne but the named teams say no Cronk and no Smith. If that actually happens the Panthers will win.
“The match of the round is the Doggies V Sharks at the Olympic stadium on Monday night. Half of me says the Sharks are on fire, the other half says it is a full-strength Doggies for the first time in a long time.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips:Raiders, Warriors, Cowboys (Powerplay), Storm, Roosters, Titans, Sharks.
“Can’t believe I’m going to tip the Warriors – the hardest side to read in world sport. But they face a Brisbane unit full of Queensland State of Origin stars who will no doubt be plenty sore after Wednesday.
“Tipping Melbourne on the basis that the game is at AAMI Park and their youngsters can step up.
“Going with the Titans over in Perth against South Sydney. I love the way Gold Coast play and are building nicely toward the backend of the season.”
Catch Curtis and The81stMinute Commentary team this Saturday from 2pm on steelesports.com.au.
Round 13 | Tim | Lachlan | Curtis | Mary | The Crowd |
RAIvSEA | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders |
WARvBRO | Warriors | Broncos | Warriors | Warriors | Broncos |
COWvKNI | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys |
STOvPAN | Panthers | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm |
ROOvWES | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters | Wests Tigers | Roosters |
RABvTIT | Rabbitohs | Titans | Titans | Rabbitohs | Rabbitohs |
BULvSHA | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks |
POWERPLAY | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys |
OVERALL | 68 | 66 | 65 | 60 | 71 |
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