NRL Round 14 Preview

June 4 2018

The NRL is always full of thrills and spills, on full display as the Roosters and Tigers turned on a Sunday arvo showstopper - photo: source - www.news.google.com

The NRL is back to a full complement of matches after Origin I and it is another tough round to pick. Games post-Origin are always difficult you never know who can back up, who is going to pull out at the last minute. Here’s my tip: don’t factor Origin in at all, I took into account Origin stars missing for last round and a fat lot of good that did me! Looking at the NRL Top 8 as it stands, the big question is: will it change? Can anyone from outside make a run and force their way in and vice versa will a team inside the 8 fall from grace, yeah I’m looking squarely in your eyes Warriors. Can the Kiwis find the fight to make the finals and will the Tigers, Knights or the Green Machine power into the playoffs? We start round 14 in the nation’s capital.

Hail Sezer! Can the Green Machine mow down the Panthers? - photo: source - www.wwos.nine.com.au

Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers

Sitting four points outside the top 8 and meeting the high flying Panthers just 48 hours after Origin, this is a massive game for Canberra. A loss could force a gap between them and the playoff pack that may not be bridged, while a win could be the catalyst for a leap up the ladder. Aidan Sezer finally iced a clutch win with his match winning field goal against Manly last start and in a round all about backing up Sezer needs to match that form, that finish, and find some consistency. His clash with Nathan Cleary could be decisive. Cleary will learn what it takes to be a rep player on Friday, backing up sore and still be at your best. Only the greats manage this feat. This should be an entertaining match both sides are full of attacking strike power, weapons everywhere which makes discipline and defence key factors. Whoever can go the full 80 minutes will prevail as both have tendencies to clock off.

The Panthers hunting perfectly as a pack - photo: source - www.zerotackle.com

The Panthers decimated the Dragons to rise to the top of the table and this is the standard they’ll look to maintain, the worry for coach Anthony Griffin, has Origin disrupted that hard won momentum? The Raiders are good enough to pinch the points but the Panthers have shown a resilience to overcome anything this season, bugger Origin, bugger injuries, no excuses is their mantra and they’ll pouch the two points in a beauty.

Panthers by 7

Sam Burgess slams into Matt Moylan - photo: source - www.portlincolntimes.com

Gold Coast Titans v South Sydney Rabbitohs

The red hot Rabbitohs hop into the Glitter Strip full of bounce after a stirring victory over the Sharks catapulted them into third on the ladder. The Bunnies are playing a brilliant attractive style of footy under Anthony Seibold, his nod to expansive play is agreeing with his side, they’re loving their league. Tom Burgess has improved in leaps and bounds now one of the first picked and should be a walk up start for the Denver Test v NZ, if it happens, while John Sutton is in career best form in his twilight years. Sutton will look to slip some inside balls to the returning Alex Johnston at fullback and if he finds a gap shut the gate! Adam Reynolds is fit and firing, steering Souths superbly behind a storming pack and it’s here where the game will be won and lost.

Ryan James congrats you're in the Blues... hang on, you're out... sorry, bye! - photo: source - www.nrl.com

The Titans are treading water but a loss here and their playoff chances may sink. They need to begin a hot winning streak and there’s no time like now. Garth Brennan has finally lost patience with Bryce Cartwright dropping him out of the 17, playing away from the spotlight in the Intrust Super Cup may be the confidence booster he needs. Stopping the dominant Bunnies big boppers is the focus and Ryan James is the man who will take them on after missing Origin by a rabbit’s whatsit, told to pack his bags, then cruelly unpack a couple of hours later, James will be motivated to show Freddy Fittler he belongs in the cauldron. A points decision over Slammin’ Sam Burgess will go a long way to earning that highly valued Blues jersey and the two points but the Bunnies are going too good. I’m backing a Burgess’ brother triple burger to sizzle leading to some Rabbitoh razzle dazzle.

Rabbitohs by 14

One Origin legend grappled by one who'd like to play Origin - photo: source - www.couriermail.com.au

Manly Sea Eagles v New Zealand Warriors

Manly must love playing away from home two of their four wins have come away from Lottoland and they’ve taken this home match to Christchurch on the south island. Crazy? Seems like it but maybe not, the Warriors record away from Auckland in NZ is appalling. So maybe the Sea Eagles brains trust have pulled the right rein, be a first for the club this season because from the outside looking in they’re a mess upstairs. Daly Cherry-Evans had a poor game last week in the Cowboys stampede and he’ll want to bounce back, not to impress Maroons selectors who never send Christmas cards to DCE anyway but to save the Sea Eagles season as another loss here and Manly will be marooned on the island of lost souls. A patch of turf fast filling up as clubs clinging to the playoff raft fall off and drift to the shores met by members of the Parramatta Eels with unofficial island King Corey Norman lying on a banana lounge sipping a Flaming Asshole with a blue and gold parasol in it.

The Warriors happy Magic Johnson is back - photo: source - www.abc.net.au

Shaun Johnson racks up game 150 returning from injury and his wobbling Warriors need their talisman badly. The brilliant start to 2018 is fading and they need to rectify this immediately or demons from past seasons gone wrong will enter the minds of players and fans alike. SJ’s battle with DCE should be a belter. The Blues brother Trbojevic, Jake and Tom return and their innate combination around the ruck will be where Manly will maraud with Api Koroisau playing off that so the Warriors defence needs to be resolute and if successful they have the firepower, despite the late withdrawal of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, of Issac Luke through the middle, Johnson and the freakish David Fusitua out wide to scrape home.

Warriors by 1

Welcome back Toops! Daniel Tupou try scorer and try saver - photo: source - www.roosters.com.au

Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters

The Knights kicked the Eels to the kerb and broke a four game losing stretch just in the nick of time to keep touch with the top 8 and run into a Roosters outfit lucky to still remain inside the 8 after Daniel Tupou’s heroic return saved the Chooks from defeat by a hens tooth. For the Knights Daniel Saifiti had a huge game terrorising the hapless Eels and now needs to back it up, he has the task of confronting Sio Siua Taukeiaho who continued his rampaging form for the Roosters, if Saifiti can takedown TKO it’ll go a long way to getting the Knights on the right kind of streak. The man to watch though is Roosters hit man Victor Radley, his bone rattlers will collapse mines up in the Hunter if he connects cleanly. Connor Watson looks good after a long injury layoff and his battle with former club mate Luke Keary in the halves will be a beauty, while the clash of the custodians Kalyn Ponga and James Tedesco backing up from Origin will be a show stopper.

Daniel Saifiti was sensational skewering the Eels, setting a standard he needs to maintain- photo: source - www.newcastleknights.com.au

Speaking of backing it up Latrell Mitchell has a big task because aiming up after rep footy is the next step on his journey to superstardom. He is a genuine match winner, game breaker, you name it if Mitchell fires the Roosters will be hard to contain. This is a really tough match to pick, the huge Novocastrian crowd will raise the roof and an upset could be on the cards. This is where Cooper Cronk’s experience kicks in, the Roosters bought him for games like this and Cronk’s clear head will drive his men to overcome the Knights in what should be a fiery affair.

Roosters by 4

Behind the lines, a familiar sight for pathetic Parra in 2018 - photo: source - www.foxsports.com.au

Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys

Hands up who wants to be in Brad Arthur’s shoes? Not so fast Dessie… anyone else? Didn’t think so. The mess that is the Parramatta Eels takes its rocky horror show on the road to Darwin to take on the rejuvenated Cowboys. Another pea-hearted flogging and the Eels may be up for a Darwin Award as their season self-combusts spectacularly. From preseason top four hopes to wooden spoon favourites it’s been an annus horribilis for the blue and gold army. Parramatta had some excuses for last weeks thrashing, HIA’s, injury but let’s face it they didn’t show much spirit from the opening whistle in a supposedly desperate side, that’s the disappointing aspect. Arthur will seek energy and enthusiasm from Nathan Brown, returning talisman Jarryd Hayne and back from injury and the bar Corey ‘Stormin’ Norman to manufacture something otherwise this could get ugly.

Jason Taumalolo toyed with the Sea Eagles - photo: source - www.sportingnews.com

The Cowboys couldn’t ask for a better side to meet as they attempt a miracle run at the playoffs. Jason Taumalolo ratcheted Beast Mode up to 11 and racked up ridiculous numbers mauling Manly, a repeat and his post-contact metres may match the scoreboard ticking over in the Cowboys favour. Jonathan Thurston played his best game of the year behind a solid platform last week proving there’s still life in the old fella but not in the Eels, they are flatlining and the doctors out playing a round of golf. Dr Taumalolo strides to the first, teeing the Eels up holding Big Bertha in his hands… fore!

Cowboys by 18

The Sharks were manhandled by the Rabbitohs last week - photo: Getty Images

Cronulla Sharks v Wests Tigers

Channelling the sage and sophisticated wordsmith Mister T, I pity the fool that plays the Sharks this week. Cronulla’s impressive winning run came to a shuddering halt last start, tripping over a rabbit hole, and they will be fuming looking for a scalp. Their much-vaunted pack was pummelled, in a feeding frenzy they expected to gorge on, the Burgess Bros triple beef burger was too spicy for Andrew Fajita to handle. Shane Flanagan will demand a more explosive effort from his A team forward pack and it’s on Fifita and Co to light the wick. If they fire the Sharks have the weapons out wide but won’t have it their own way.

Mahe Fonua only has one gear, full throttle - photo: source - www.zimbio.com

The Tigers were a blade of grass from victory last week and once again competed for the full 80, a marvellous trait Ivan Cleary has instilled in his men. The pack is tough and won’t take a backward step locking horns with the mean Sharks forwards as they hope to get on top giving time and space to their underrated but underperforming backline. The threequarters battle should be entertaining with Mahe ‘Mad Max Mullet’ Fonua and Esan Marsters entering the Shire Thunderdome to rumble with Ricky Leutele and young gun Jesse Ramien. Expect a grind but at home on the rebound it’s the top four circling Sharks heading back to the winners list.

Sharks by 6

Cameron Smith always on the ball - photo: source - www.abc.net.au

Melbourne Storm v Brisbane Broncos

The marquee match of the round and we can only hope it’s as entertaining as their first meeting this year a 34-20 victory to the Storm. Origin always affects these two proud clubs but there’s never any excuses given, both clubs excel at taking no shortcuts and both drive elite club culture a few others should follow. I won’t name names, but one rhymes with peels. Plenty of spice in the underbelly with Craig Bellamy anointed successor to Wayne Bennett at the Broncos in a deal yet to be sealed. The win loss ratio between the two maestro’s sways heavily in Bellamy’s favour, Brisbane are the Storm’s whipping boys, a trend the Broncos hope to buck. Origin-free for the first time since his Maroons debut in 2003 Cameron Smith will be fresh as a daisy and control proceedings with his usual panache and poise and he’s the key to this contest. If Smith rules the rhythm of the ruck the Storm normally salute. Completion rates will be high on Bellyache’s agenda as the Storm have been unusually error prone in 2018 though that is in part due to the more expansive footy Melbourne are favouring and while fumbling at present it may bear fruit in September.

Tevita Pangai Jr offloads at will - photo: source - www.thespinoff.co.nz

The Broncos always compete, do the one percenters coaches love, but that won’t be enough to quell the Storm, they need to win the middle third and after Matt Lodge launches, it’s on Tevita Pangai Jr and Joe Ofahengaue to take it to Melbourne bursting off the bench. A sniff of a chance and the Broncos switch into overdrive, the big horse, Corey Oates galloping onto one of Darius Boyd’s perfectly timed passes. The Broncos lethal left edge shots at times make the Broncos one trick ponies but boy it’s a well-worn party trick that has earned tons of tries over the years. Unfortunately for Brisbane, Will Chambers rules the right defensive edge for the Storm and is the best in the business at snuffing out attacking raids. Smith to rule, Storm to win and Bellamy to grimace least in the clash of the cranks.

Storm by 10

Gareth Widdop can do it all, here bursting through the Broncos - photo: Getty Images

Canterbury Bulldogs v St George Illawarra Dragons

The Queen’s Birthday long weekend is treasured in Australia, we get a day off work and Monday footy! Happy candle day Lizzie you little beauty!! The Dragons have a plethora of players involved in Origin but get plenty of time to recover, what Mary McGregor will want is a better all-round effort after the Panthers owned them in attack and defence at the foot of the mountains to replace them at the NRL summit. That will sting the Dragons, especially the forwards, and they will be frothing at the chance to get their teeth into the Bulldogs and this is where the match will be decided. Tariq Sims will aim the cross hairs at anyone who dares run within range.

Moses Mbye the most dangerous of the Doggies - photo: source - www.rippa.com

The Bulldogs are all effort but battling for points, so they’ll try keep it tight, nab two or three tries and hang on! Basically, if the Dragons score 20 the Dogs are done. Moses Mbye and Will Hopoate are the most likely avenues over the white stripe, given space they’ll pose problems, but will they ask enough questions to rock the red V D? Short answer, with Kieran Foran missing, no. Gareth Widdop is riding high and a class above all, he’ll take the reins and with the classy Englishman at the helm, Widdop will steer the Saints to a convincing victory.

Dragons by 13

Twitter: @stick_beetle