80 Minutes In 80 Words: NRL Round 15
0By Stephen Gallagher
FRIDAY: South Sydney Rabbitohs V Gold Coast Titans – ANZ Stadium – 22.00NZT
It’s a bad time for more injuries as the Titans are copping it with Origin as well.
Going up against an unchanged Rabbitohs lineup, it will be hard yakka for the Gold Coast who were thrashed last weekend.
The Rabbitohs will have to work on slow starts. They were down and out early against the Brisbane Broncos last week, and the Titans are known as fast starters.
It’ll probably be ugly rugby league, but the Rabbitohs will get the result.
TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12
SATURDAY: Melbourne Storm V North Queensland Cowboys – AAMI Park – 19.35NZT
Despite both losing key players to Origin, this game should still be worth a watch.
The Storm will do their best to dominate the ruck like always, but there’s a lot of pressure on the young men in key positions.
The Cowboys are probably better off than Melbourne, and will look to the leaders in the forward pack to get the momentum going.
It’s going to be a tough game, and an interesting one. Storm still look the goods to me.
TIP: Storm 1-12
Cronulla Sharks V Wests Tigers – Southern Cross Group Stadium – 21.35NZT
If not now, when? That’s a question the Tigers will have to pose themselves.
The Sharkies are missing five integral players to their team, with the young Tigers missing only two.
Cronulla’s home record this year isn’t amazing – but Wests overall record is abysmal.
If those playing coming in for Cronulla can slot in with a seamless transmission, there could be more misery pointing in the direction of the Tigers.
Lolohea and Brooks work in the halves together for the first time too, which should be interesting.
TIP: Sharks 1-12
SUNDAY: Parramatta Eels V Saint George Illawarra Dragons – ANZ Stadium – 18.00NZT
This is a good game to round out the weekend of rugby league.
Two teams that have such a specific muscle style of play, the Eels should be favourites with a couple of Origin stars missing in the Red V.
The Dragons have to have a better impact off their bench. Failing to score a try last week will also be a point to be touched during the week.
Parramatta always enjoy these touch matchups, and as they go head to head against a top four side they will want to show all of their credentials.
Hard one to tip.
TIP: Dragons 1-12
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