NRL Round 6: The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Newcastle Knights V Brisbane Broncos – Central Coast Stadium – 21.50NZT

The Knights will look to bounce back from their first loss of the season against a battling Broncos team.

It’ll be a big ask for the Broncos to win this as they could lose their fourth game in a row.

Newcastle’s forward pack have been very good this year, and have been a dominant from the get go.

Brisbane have a huge ask to get the win, as their lack of confidence continues, and I think their winless woes will too.

TIP: Knights 1-12

FRIDAY: South Sydney Rabbitohs V New Zealand Warriors – Bankwest Stadium – 20.00NZT

Both these two sides have only managed two wins this season, but the Rabbitohs have definitely showed more consistency.

The Warriors have to look towards Green and Nikorima to create a better platform, much like they did last week.

Souths have started to play better to the new sets of rules, and their running game looks to get stronger.

I think they’ll be the better of the two.

TIP: Rabbitohs 13+

 – Penrith Panthers V Melbourne Storm – Campbelltown Stadium – 21.55NZT

I’m really looking forward to this match. Penrith haven’t been at their best, but still have have produced some very good results.

Melbourne looked really slick last week, and they still have plenty of cards up their sleeves this season.

The mobility of both the forward packs will be a very tight clash, but I think the absolute speed that Melbourne have outwide will be the difference.

TIP: Storm 1-12

SATURDAY: Gold Coast Titans V St George Illawarra Dragons – Suncorp Stadium – 17.00NZT

Both sides sit with one win against their name, but it’s the Dragons that go in to this one with some sort of momentum. They looked to finally unlock a little bit of a potential on Sunday, and that would have build their confidence.

The Titans have new signing Corey Thompson lining up at fullback who will add a bit of steel to their side.

Really hard to know which side will turn up for either of these sides, I just hope it’s entertaining.

TIP: Dragons 1-12

 Wests Tigers V North Queensland Cowboys – Campbelltown Stadium – 19.30NZT

The home side are looking to get back in the winners circle after dropping two in a row.

Once Jason Taumalolo was shut down last week, the Cowboys really didn’t look like they knew what they doing, they definitely need a plan B.

I’d say the Tigers would be favourites in this one, but it’s really hard to tell. The lack of consistency this year from these two has been their biggest flaws.

If this game is close, I think Josh Reynolds will be the difference, and get the Tigers home, just.

TIP: Tigers 1-12

Sydney Roosters V Parramatta Eels – Bankwest Stadium – 21.30NZT

The Roosters since the comp has restarted have been an absolute force. They’ve been scoring points for fun, and only conceded eighteen points in the last  three weeks.

Parramatta sit top of the table, but face their biggest test this year.

The devastating form the Roosters have been in is hard to go past, and they are at a level I haven’t seen for quite some time.

Parramatta have to be on. They’ve been guilty of being in and out of games, and any weakness could end their unbeaten streak in 2020.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

SUNDAY: Canberra Raiders V Manly Warringah Sea Eagles – Campbelltown Stadium – 18.00NZT

This is another very good game this week.

Both sides have been able to be in the fight for eighty minutes in close ones, and their similar style of play could mean this game could be one of those really gritty contests.

There’s some definitely game breakers within each side, with Jack Wighton and Tom Trbojevic just to name a few.

Really could be a flip of the coin, this one.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

Cronulla Sharks V Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs – Bankwest Stadium – 20.30NZT

This week ends with two teams who are in a funk.

Cronulla against Canterbury could either be a 60-58 final score, or a 10-6 snorefest.

The Sharks have the better roster, but haven’t been able to click on-field, whereas you can’t fault the Bulldogs efforts – they just aren’t getting the results.

I think this could be the game that really launches Cronulla’s season – because another loss could be the end of it.

TIP: Sharks 1-12

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