NRL Record: Round 5
0THURSDAY:
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles V South Sydney Rabbitohs – Brookvale Oval – 22.05NZT
It’s a biggie this one! Two teams sitting at .500 this year playing in a grudge match at Brookie.
The Big Cherry is out for a month, so pressure will be on the Sea Eagles to get up, with Korisau named alongside Walker as halfback. Sam Burgess will be back after a nasty neck knock two weeks ago to take the Rabbitohs to a hopeful win.
Manly will really need to be at their best, as luck was just enough for them to get up last week. The Rabbitohs have been poor the last fortnight so in order to get the win they will have to train the house down this week. Madge won’t be a happy man, and a loss to and underwhelming Manly side would be a very bad look.
TIP: Matt Parcel will start the scoring, but the Rabbitohs will be too strong. 1-12.
FRIDAY:
Gold Coast Titans V Brisbane Broncos – CBUS Super Stadium – 22.05NZT
A top of the table clash! The Titans are providing some wonderful entertainment but will have to put on an emphatic performance to get up agains a Brisbane Broncos outfit fresh from a famous one point victory.
The likes of Ryan James, Agnatius Paasi and Zeb Taia will have to really put their bodies on the line in order to stop such a powerful Broncos pack.
Ashley Taylor gets his first chance to play against his old club – and will be a great watch to see how he gets to go against Ben Hunt.
TIP: The Titans to lead at half time, and the Broncos to win at full time.
SATURDAY:
Melbourne Storm V Newcastle Knights – AAMI Park – 17.00NZT
It’s not often the Melbourne Storm lose a game, and after going down on Monday against the Sharkies – they won’t be losing a second in a row. So sorry Newcastle fans – you won’t be getting your first win of the season.
The Knights have been horrible this year, four games and three of which have been embarrassing performances!
The Storm are just a solid side, and with the forward pack they offer – they will run all over the Knights who will be gutsy but that won’t be enough.
TIP: The Storm will be scoring early through Will Chambers, and a 13+ scoreline will be easily on the cards.
Wests Tigers V Cronulla Sharks – Campbelltown Stadium – 19.30NZT
The Tigers were overwhelmed in a tight one last week, and will be up against it when they take on this Cronulla side who have been impressive throughout this season.
Robbie Farah’s selection at hooker looks to be the death of this team. This may be critical, but it showed the lack of attack from his position last week looked to kill their chances of winning the game.
Ben Barba will look to improve on his form – after putting on one of his best performances in a Sharks jersey since he started at the Shire last week running riot.
TIP: The Tigers will be off their game, so look to the Sharks to win 13+ and Sosaia Feki to score a try.
North Queensland Cowboys V Saint George Illawarra Dragons – 1300SMILES Stadium – 22.30NZT
Back in the comfort of their own home, the Cowboys will be looking to make amends of their one point loss against big brother Brisbane.
The Dragons efforts in the last week have been very good. Defensively sound, but still typically lacking in fifth tackle options and executing good field position in to points. It doesn’t get any easier either, coming up against this Cowboys side who are built around their tackling.
Cowboys fans will be willing their mob on to get a win, and I can’t see them going down two weeks in a row.
TIP: Thurston to score last in a 1-12 win over the Dragons.
SUNDAY:
Sydney Roosters V New Zealand Warriors – Allianz Stadium – 16.00NZT
“Knock knock”
“Who’s there?”
“Owen”
“Owen four”
That’s the predicament for the Roosres – who could be winless through five if the Warriors get up after a demo job on the lacklustre Knights last week.
The Roosters are getting closer and closer to winning each week – and their performance against Manly I thought was good enough to get the W.
I find it hard to believe a Trent Robinson coached side could lose five in a row to start the season, so I am backing them to win based on this.
Both sides are unchanged, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck goes up against his old club for the first time.
Jacob Lillyman plays his 150th game for the Warriors.
TIP: This will be a close game, a late penalty will sink the Warriors. Roosters 1-12.
Parramatta Eels V Penrith Panthers – Pirtek Stadium – 18.00NZT
The Eels will be looking to improve their record, and a Panthers side who’ve been very close all year will do their best to win this West Sydney clash.
The Panthers welcome back their captain and hopeful saviour Matt Moylan from injury to liven up their attacking options and if Jamie Soward learns to pass the ball, they might actually get some decent plays away.
The Eels showed their true grit in a match that went down to the wire for 80 minutes last week. Their backline will have to offer a bit more when given early ball.
TIP: The Eels will notch up another win. 1-12.
MONDAY:
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs V Canberra Raiders – Belmore Sports Ground – 21.00NZT
Ooooh this is a juicy clash! The Bulldogs will are sitting pretty at the top of the competition.
This is the game of the round for me. The Raiders will be thankful Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin return to the halves to give them a boost. Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds have been doing an excellent job in leading the Bulldogs to success this season.
Whenever the Bulldogs get a roll on, they are the hardest team to stop. The Raiders are the kind of team who throw everything in to the match to try get the result their way – and it will be a 17 man, 80 minute effort to get up over this fantastic Bankstown team. ESPECIALLY when they return to Belmore for this match. What a sight!
TIP: The Bulldogs are going to lead early, but will fade late. The Belmore crowd will get what they want, with a Canterbury-Bankstown win.
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