Roar Guru
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Twenty-five years. It's rather a long time really. Twenty-five years. I was 11 the last time the Canberra Raiders made the grand final. Growing…
Welcome to my NRL team of the year where I take a look back at the season and select the best player in every…
Welcome to the very last Thursday Forecast of 2016. It has been great producing these all season and it's fitting that it's a meaningful…
We have a genuine high stakes battle on Thursday as the Canterbury Bulldogs host the North Queensland Cowboys in a game which could seal…
Tonight the Broncos host the Bulldogs, two teams we will preview once more each in the remaining two rounds. We will see Canterbury again…
The Roar's NRL Thursday Night Forecast series is back where this week we will look at the Bulldogs, s in the thick of the…
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is a polarising figure in rugby league. Actually wait, scratch that. It isn't really accurate to say that Stuart…
Welcome back to The Roar's Thursday Night Forecast series – a guaranteed Jarryd Hayne-free zone as the St George Illawarra Dragons host the Brisbane…
The Origin period is over, and after a measured re-introduction to club football with a one-sided Dragons vs Titans game, we return to elite…
Origin is over. Praise the maker. While State of Origin may be in many respects the pinnacle of rugby league it inevitably reaches a…
Welcome to The Roar's NSW State of Origin Game 3 player ratings, where the cold hard light of day intrudes despite a victory. That's…
After a week off due to travel commitments the NRL Friday Night Forecast series is back this week with a look tonight's Eels versus…
With State of Origin now in the books for another year (there is Game 3 but who is going to watch that unless Laurie…
After a valiant but ultimately doomed effort, there were some definite bright sparks for the NSW Blues but also some monumental disappointments, including from…
Welcome to Part 2 of The Roar's State of Origin key questions series. Yesterday we looked at three key questions for Queensland ahead of…
Welcome back to The Roar's State of Origin key questions series where we look at three questions for each team ahead of the Wednesday…
State of Origin is back next week so we're down to a condensed round with only four games this weekend, beginning with tonight's Rabbitohs…
After two Friday games, we're back for another Thursday Forecast - tonight it's the Brisbane Broncos vs Canberra Raiders. Yes, that's right - the…
With the dust settling on yet another State of Origin classic (note that all State of Origin games are automatically “classics” despite this one…
Welcome to the second part of The Roar's State of Origin key questions series. Yesterday we considered whether the Queensland prop rotation might be…
For all the criticism Stuart gets in some parts for his recruitment and retention record at other clubs its hard to deny he has done a remarkable job at the Raiders. Obviously its not just him and there is a whole team involved in that process but you have to tip your hat to acquisitions like Austin, Soliola and Hodgson in particular. Meanwhile he also extended contracts for now key players like Shannon Boyd and Jack Wighton. Boyd in particular was barely able to stay on the field in reserves the year that Stuart extended him.
NRL Thursday Night Forecast: Broncos vs Raiders
Thanks for those comments mate, really appreciate it. I think there’s a lot of folks out there who really enjoy the deeper analysis
I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see Edrick back – Ricky loves to pull that sort of stuff but I’d be surprised if Santo doesn’t play. They went through the whole song and dance of getting his jersey presented to him by a former player and i believe they made him available to the media this week as well. Be pretty rough to pull him out now
NRL Thursday Night Forecast: Broncos vs Raiders
It is always difficult to predict exactly what will constitute an easy draw in the NRL because the league is so flat and teams can be much better or worse than predicted. That being said I suspect any fan would have been happy to see their team get the Raiders draw this year. Raiders also get Cowboys without Origin players.
As you say the wins against the Dogs are a good sign but they were terrible against both the Sharks and Eels. Big test next Thursday night in Brisbane against a Broncos team that will have everyone (aside from the injured McCulloch) available
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Raiders vs Sea Eagles
Eastwood was outstanding in that game. If I had been handing out Dally M votes he would have gotten the three even in a losing effort. So there’s certainly something in what you say – a poor defensive read can be created by a good attacking play.
But I’d still argue that Austin should have trusted in Wighton (who comes in at over 100kgs himself) a little more.
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Raiders vs Sea Eagles
Good spot Bay 55, right behind the Raiders bench
If Austin can get his running game going that right edge could be absolute flames.
Sezer has been largely disappointing aside from the first game against the Panthers and the first game against the Bulldogs. In particular he has been poor in close and late situations against the Dragons, Panthers and Bulldogs
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Raiders vs Sea Eagles
You may be right that once Kasiano pulled in four defenders on the previous play that it would have been very difficult to prevent a try the next play.
However at the very least I feel like they had enough space to slide out hard and at least the debutant Reimis Smith worry about the sideline. As it was he scored untouched
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Raiders vs Sea Eagles
Its definitely a concern but the question is even if you agree that Wighton needs to play in the line whose spot does he take and who moves to fullback? Rapana was probably the best candidate for fullback before the season started but it would be madness to break up the Rapana-Leilua partnership now. Meanwhile Croker is unlikely to give up his left centre spot and whilst Edrick Lee has been down on form he does add a unique dynamic on the left wing.
Long term I’ve always thought that Wighton could easily follow in the footsteps of Luke Lewis and find a home as bit of a ball playing, hard running edge back rower. He’s got a very similar build to Lewis and his running game could fit nicely on an edge.
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Raiders vs Sea Eagles
I was at that game against the Storm – poured all week leading up to it
Not sure that its heavy rain predicted tonight, only 60% chance of any rain
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Raiders vs Sea Eagles
I know the Dogs have named Klemmer at lock but to me it always seems like he is playing the traditional prop role whilst one of the blonds Graham or Tolman is the nominal “lock”.
Certainly if you think about a lock as having a passing role its not Klemmer as rarely passes it particularly compared to Graham, Tolman and even Kasiano.
State of Origin's key questions: NSW edition
Au contraire my friend – if you read the Qld edition of the Origin key questions you’ll find a whole section devoted to Walters
State of Origin's key questions: NSW edition
It will be Cordner inside and Jennings outside which is encouraging because the Roosters were able to overcome his missed tackles over the last three seasons with those two chaperoning him
State of Origin's key questions: NSW edition
That has been a very effective tactic for the Cowboys as it allows them to bring back all three big guns for the closing stages.
The Bulldogs do a similar thing with their nominal lock often going off first to be replaced by Sam Kasiano. However they also rely on one of the two starting props to play the entire first half and start of the second before getting his rest. Works beautifully with Graham and Tolman because they can both play 60
One difference in both those cases though is that they’ve often got a player who only plays minor minutes. John Asiata for example often plays less than 20 minutes per game. That would seem like a waste when you have supremely talented Origin standard players.
State of Origin's key questions: NSW edition
Woods was genuinely epic in his first stint in game one last year but sadly he lost all impact when he came back on. Has to find a way to play at a high level but still keep enough in reserve to contribute in crunch time at the end
State of Origin's key questions: NSW edition
It really is going to be fascinating to see how they manage five genuine big men.
I would be surprised if Gallen played the full 80 if only because at Origin intensity its just simply a bad idea. It’s worth noting that Gallen hasn’t been playing 80 every week in the NRL this year so its hard to imagine he has enough in the tank to do it here.
Definitely look for both teams to jump on any opportunity to get a player off with a free interchange whether via a concussion test or after an instance of foul play.
State of Origin's key questions: NSW edition
Honestly I steered away from Farah deliberately because writing about Farah is like writing about Kobe Bryant – people have their opinions and no amount of evidence or nuanced discussion can sway them.
But you’re absolutely right that whatever you think of Farah his choices at dummy half will have a profound impact on this game.
State of Origin's key questions: NSW edition
I can definitely see a case for starting Gallen at lock with two genuine props. It would create a more sensible middle unit rotation and give NSW and chance to establish dominance early then bring on Klemmer and Fifita to run riot.
But if you’re going to do that I’d start Bird on the left edge in place of Cordner rather than on the right edge for Jackson. The whole point of Jackson is that he’s a work rate/stamina player. He doesn’t offer any real impact off the bench whereas Cordner can bring something different.
State of Origin's key questions: NSW edition
I think you’re underrating McGuire quite a bit given that he is averaging 150m and 30 tacklers per game. You don’t accrue those averages running diagonally and being third man in.
Certainly the game against the Sharks wasn’t his best but against the Cowboys he made 137m and 45 tackles in a 63 minute performance.
That being said I agree that Lillyman should have been considered and you’ll note that the whole premise of the paragraph on McGuire is that has been good in the speed-based system that the Broncos play and questioning how he will adapt to Origin.
State of Origin's key questions: Queensland edition
This is a popular opinion and I can certainly understand where people are coming from with it. Farah is a really hard case because the big problem seems to be that he tries to do too much.
Certainly it feels at times like Moses and Brooks play better without him but I don’t think there is enough evidence yet to prove whether that is coincidence or causality.
I still think he’s a net positive but I understand the frustration some people have
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Broncos vs Tigers
Well according to the bookies its not “just as good” its significantly better 🙂
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Broncos vs Tigers
Boyd has been terrific this year so he will no doubt be missed. I’d still argue that the gap between him and Kahu is less than the gap between Gillett and a 19 year old debutant
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Broncos vs Tigers
Glad you appreciate it. I pride myself at analysing the game as evenly as possible
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Broncos vs Tigers
Take it you’re a bit sceptical of the Tigers’ chances then…
I tend to agree but I always try to put a balanced position
NRL Friday Night Forecast: Broncos vs Tigers
Man it cracks me up every time I get accused of having a “Sydney bias”
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 12 (+ Bonus Origin tips)
It really is a fascinating matchup and perhaps I may regret following my instinct to tip the Raiders. After reviewing the Broncos v Warriors game pretty closely its just hard to see how the Broncos can turn around their lacklustre display in defence.
With that being said this Raiders team sure does know how to lose a game through lack of focus.
NRL Thursday Night Forecast: Broncos vs Raiders