NRL Round 9: The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: North Queensland Cowboys V Sydney Roosters – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 21.50NZT

There’s a lot of pressure on the Cowboys after they were pantsed last week, but they play a scorned Roosters side.

Valentine Holmes slots in on the wing where we’ve seen him do some magical things in the past.

The Roosters have more injury woes, but with the players filling those spots, it just shows what a powerhouse club they really are.

I think this game could be closer than some people give it credit for, so expect the Cowboys to really push the Bondi boys.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

FRIDAY:  Gold Coast Titans V New Zealand Warriors – CBus Super Stadium – 20.00NZT

Whether the Warriors win or lose, they will be remembered for being the first club in NRL history to wear a bush shirt.

Yep, “that shirt’ is getting a run against the Titans.

Gold Coast have lost their last ten games at home, which is a phenomenal record.

Jazz Tevaga returns on the bench.

I think the Warriors will be good enough to get up.

TIP: Warriors 1-12

South Sydney Rabbitohs  V Wests Tigers – Bankwest Stadium – 21.55NZT

I’ve really found it hard to pinpoint just what’s so inconsistent about these two sides. The Rabbitohs are looking the better of the two, however.

The Tigers outside backs have been very good this year and underrated in doing so.

Souths just have to keep their rake Damien Cook going forward, that’s where the Rabbits play their best footy.

Big of a scrappy affair, this. Rabbitohs should still win.

TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12

SATURDAY: Cronulla Sharks V Penrith Panthers – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium – 17.00NZT

Kicking off Super Saturday is a resurgent Sharks side who have started to string some form together, against the Panthers side who have just flown under the radar in 2020.

There’s a serious impact being made off the bench by the Sharks, and they seem to find another gear when the interchanges are being used.

Penrith lost gun Samoan winger Brian To’o for the season, but still have some try scorers in their ranks.

Cronulla’s biggest test of the year is this match here. If they can sneak an upset, things are looking up.

Penrith’s confidence has definitely helped them this season, and they’ll have the belief to do it again this week.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

Brisbane Broncos V Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs – Suncorp Stadium – 19.30NZT

This is an absolute must-win for the Broncos. I don’t ever recall Brisbane losing this many in a row before.

They have to show something. Even if it’s just completing their sets and getting to a kick. Start small.

The Bulldogs have Luke Thompson their new English recruit out for the first time, so a lot of eyes on him to see what kind of influence he will have on the game.

TIP: Broncos 1-12

Canberra Raiders V Melbourne Storm – GIO Stadium – 21.30NZT

Canberra have the fourth biggest winning stream over the Storm currently. Three wins in a row against the Victorians.

That’s some stat. The biggest is the Bulldogs from 2000-2004 with 10 wins against the Storm in that time.

Though the Raiders aren’t quite firing on all cylinders, they know they can get the job done over the Storm.

If Melbourne do win, it will be Cameron Smith’s 300th NRL win. Wow.

TIP: Storm 1-12

SUNDAY: Newcastle Knights V Parramatta Eels – McDonald Jones Stadium – 18.00NZT

The Knights have been digging in and ticking off those niggly wins, something they haven’t been able to do in the past.

Compare them to the Eels, who are just steamrolling sides in 2020. The most confident they have been since the Jarryd Hayne 2009 finals run.

Both sides have had their hands forced with injuries, but that should have little impact.

Newcastle will want to keep it up the guts, and Parramatta will want to give the ball some air.

Whoever can control the match will control the score.

TIP: Eels 1-12

St George Illawarra Dragons V Manly Warringah Sea Eagles – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium – 20.30NZT

Manly lose the best prop in the world right now through suspension, which hugely benefits the Dragons.

Though the Dragons haven’t been getting wins, they have been better than they were, and they are competitive.

If they’re able to start stronger this week, something they have lacked in the past, then they could sneak a win over the Sea Eagles.

TIP: Dragons 1-12

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