The Roar's NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 15 (+ Bonus Origin tips)

It is a period of civil war. Rebel cane toads, striking from a northern base, have won their first victory against the evil Sky Blue Empire.

During the battle, Rebel Maroons managed to steal secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate game plan, ‘Run at the Little Blokes’, an armoured forward pack with enough power to destroy an entire planet. Pursued by the Empire’s sinister print media, Prince Thaiday races home aboard his starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save his people and restore freedom to the sunshine state.

Sound familiar? Not sure why it would. Came up with all that myself.

Welcome to Round 15 of The Roar‘s NRL expert tips.

Before Origin II and the frenzy that grips us all – there are a couple of intriguing clashes coming up in the NRL this weekend.

South Sydney, without Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds, need to find a way to win against the Parramatta Eels who returned to the winners circle last weekend.

The visiting Melbourne Storm, minus their own dynamic duo of Cam Smith and Cooper Cronk, head to Wollongong for a date with St George Illawarra.

Can the Sydney Roosters cause one of the club’s great upsets in their trip to Auckland or will the New Zealand Warriors go all Brendon McCullum on their candy asses and knock up a cricket score?

On Monday night, the Gold Coast will start as red hot favourites against the troubled Manly-Warringah.

Then there’s the big one Wednesday night and you know all about that.

Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Eels, Storm, Warriors, Titans, Maroons.

“With both Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds missing from the Souths line-up on Friday night, I think they will struggle to get across the line against a Parramatta side who was much improved against the Titans. Sam Burgess being fit to play will be a boost for the Bunnies, but I don’t think it will be boost enough.

“After a couple of tough weeks of travel, from Perth to Darwin, the Titans will be pleased to be home. Despite looking out of gas against the Eels, they should be able to dispose of a Sea Eagles side that has well and truly infuriated the injury Gods.

“Look, I love a miracle and a fairytale, but something pretty special is going to have to happen for the Blues to beat the Maroons at Suncorp. I am willing to change this tip if someone could explain to me where the Blues are going to score their points.”

Lachlan Bickley
Tips: Eels, Storm, Warriors (Powerplay), Titans, Maroons.

“Storm might be without their Origin stars but I’m backing the winning infrastructure to prevail.

“The poor old Eagles can’t take a trick this year which is fast shaping up as a lost one for the club. Expect the Titans to bounce back from the loss in Darwin.

“Queensland at Suncorp is a mandatory tip for now and forever. Or at least until Smith and Thurston are long gone.”

Tim Gore
Tips: Eels, Dragons, Warriors (Powerplay), Titans, Maroons.

“No Cronk, no Smith equals no win for the Melbourne Storm. Dragons to grind a close win.

“Warriors to continue the Roosters misery over thu dutch.

“The Maroons to wrap up another series win by smacking the same old Blues at Suncorp Stadium.”

Curtis Woodward
Tips:Eels, Dragons, Warriors (Powerplay), Titans, Blues.

“I took North Queensland without their State of Origin stars against St George Illawarra and got burnt. I shan’t be doing that again with the Saints who face Melbourne without Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.

“It is official – hell has frozen over. The New Zealand Warriors are my powerplay. Unfortunately, the Roosters are a rabble and without plenty of their guns.

“I’m going for it. The Blues to win in one of the great boil overs. Haters gunna hate, hate, hate, hate but I’m gunna shake it off, shake it off.”

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