NRL Review 8 / Preview Rep Round

By Stephen Gallagher

Wests Tigers 38 Bulldogs 14

Tigers put on a blitz to blow away some puppies. The Fresh Prince, Kevin Naiqama set up the try of the year with a lunging effort. The Tigers put away their demons of their being run down the week before, but they certainly showed up.  Bulldogs were disappointing.

Titans 32 Warriors 28

The Warriors lacked mentally and physically in the second half which let the Titans run over them for the first time in a long time.  The Titans played well which came on the back of Kane Elgey at halfback.  The Titans fronted up for 80 minutes, and once again the Warriors didn’t.

Cowboys 26 Knights 24

The Knights were outplayed early, and an injury torn Cowboys side got the points, just. The fall from grace for the Knights continue, and the rise of the Cowboys is in full force.

Dragons 14 Roosters 12

In the most crazy game I have seen. After 27 minutes, the match was postponed for 40 minutes due to a storm that struck pretty heavily, flooding the ground and causing chaos. It was 10-0 to the Dragons at the time, and once again their defensive efforts were sublime as they beat the Roosters in a hard fought match.

Sea Eagles 12 Storm 10

The Sea Eagles wish they’d play Melbourne every week. Their only two wins this year have came against the Storm. It was a scrappy affair but it was a second half stretch that gave Manly the win. Which is a relief to all in their team.

Broncos 28 Eels 16

The Broncos got up in a game that has plenty of flair. The Eels lacked up front, and the Broncos took advantage of it. The result was never in doubt.

Panthers 26 Sharks 18

The Panthers got a hearty win which was must needed for the Penrith side who are short on stars due to injury. Cronulla were gutsy but didn’t last the 80. They still looked tough throughout, but it was the Panthers who did enough to get the points.

Raiders 30 Rabbitohs 22

The Raiders stage their second comeback win in two weeks. Same scoreline too. The Raiders were gutsy, strong, and never let the Rabbitohs lead get out of hand. The Rabbitohs are not the strong team that won the Premiership last year, but it won’t take much to get them out of this horrid spell of form. The Raiders are looking better every week.

FRIDAY: • Australia Kangaroos v New Zealand Kiwis – Suncorp Stadium 22.15NZT

After running through the Four Nations undefeated, the Kiwis will rate their chances very highly. The current world champions are playing their only test match this year – and will not want to lose.

With a few debutants on display, it’s an exciting time for Australia, to mix youngsters who have been in cracking form, with the experienced old heads that know what international success is all about.

The Kiwis are going to have to play their very best, especially since there are not exactly good at winning the ANZAC test match.

The Kiwis will have to be strong from the start and to bind together for 80 minutes. It seems like every year the media give the Kiwis their best shot to win this one off test match. However, will this be the year they can actually do it? And beat the Kangaroos for the third time in a row.

Kiwis 1-12

SATURDAY: • Junior Australia Kangaroos V Junior New Zealand Kiwis – CBUS Super Stadium 16.30NZT
The last time these two clashed, it was a firey affair in abysmal conditions at Mount Smart Stadium.. The Junior Kiwis got a hard earned win, and the Aussies didn’t like coming last. They will want to reverse that result. Both teams have named really quality sides.
Junior Kangaroos 1-12

• Fiji V Papua New Guinea – CBUS Super Stadium 19.35NZT
These two teams are going to put on a show. Fiji have named a really good side, and the Kumuls have been able to grow their league through the Intrust Super Cup and the exposure of their players. Two big teams – I just say bring it on!
Fiji 1-12

• Samoa V Tonga – CBUS Super Stadium 21.40NZT
Ohhhhh this has me excited! Samoa and Tonga, island brothers and rivals going to leave it all on the pitch in what is going to be one physical encounter. Samoa have named a really quality team, and I think that makes Tonga the underdogs – but both teams pack a powerful punch. I know this is going to be a thriller.
Samoa 1-12

SUNDAY: • City V Country – McDonalds Park 18.00NZT
Before the week has finished, I am sure there will be more players pulling out, but what excites me about this game – is that there are going to be young players who will break out, and could potentially be Origin boulters for the defending Origin champions. City and Country are evenly balanced, so it will be about the combinations built during the week.

City 1-12

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