South Sydney v Parramatta
7:50pm AEST Friday 26 May 2017
ANZ Stadium
South Sydney host Parramatta to kick off the first of the shortened rounds over this year’s Origin period. Both sides are relatively unaffected by Origin selection this year with incumbent Blues’ Adam Reynolds, Robbie Farah and Michael Jennings all missing out on selection. Reynolds and Farah will no doubt be out to prove a point while Jennings has succumbed to a leg injury and won’t line up for the Eels.
The Rabbitohs are on a short turn around after taking their home game to Perth last Sunday. It was a gruelling game against the Storm, the competition front-runners, and they weren’t disgraced going down by 8 in wet conditions. Centre Bryson Goodwin has been ruled out with rookie Tyrell Fauimaono to take his place in the starting line up. George Burgess returns from suspension to provide much needed go forward up front.
For the Eels, all eyes will again be on Mitch Moses as he continues his transformation as an Eel. He had a patchy game last week with a couple of nice touches but has plenty to improve on as expected. Playing just his second first grade game for the Eels, he’ll be out to build on the combinations with French, Gutherson and Pritchard. Lock Nathan Brown is a late scratching elevating veteran Beau Scott to the starting line up. Brad Takairangi returns from an injury lay-off to replace Michael Jennings.
Tip: Both teams sit just outside the 8 so will be desperate for victory however the 5-day turn around and the return from the west coast may prove one hurdle too many for the Bunnies.
Best bet: Eels win $2.05
Odds: Rabbitohs $1.78 Eels $2.05
New Zealand v Brisbane Broncos
5:30pm AEST Saturday 27 May 2017
Mt Smart Stadium
The Warriors host a Broncos side left severely depleted by State of Origin. Despite playing their worst 120mins of footy over the last two games, they’ve been installed as $1.36 favourites and have as terrific opportunity to get back in the winner’s circle.
They were out enthused and out classed last week by a Dragons side missing their two best players in Widdop and Dugan. Halves Foran and Johnson really need to step up and lead their big pack around the park while their kicking game also left a lot to be desired last week. The Kiwis welcome back veteran Simon Mannering who will provide plenty of starch in defence.
Meanwhile, the Broncos welcome Ben Hunt back from injury while Benji Marshall starts in the halves for the first time in his short Broncos career. Kodi Nikorima has made way despite being ultra-impressive in the last 3 weeks while Ben Hunt has been out injured. The Broncos lost some 1000+ games in first grade experience due to Origin or injury with James Roberts and Adam McCullough both succumbing to injury during the week. They will look to the likes of Marshall, Blair, Glenn and Sims to guide the inexperienced side around the park.
Tip: The Warriors have been going awful, albeit they are back on their home track at Mt Smart. Happy to take them on at the price and back the Broncos with Hunt and Marshall calling the shots.
Best bet: Broncos +8 1.90
Odds: Warriors 1.36 Broncos 3.15
Cronulla v Canterbury
7:30pm AEST Saturday 27 May 2017
Southern Cross Group Stadium
The continue their grinding ways, last week they grovelled to an 18-14 victory of a Thurston-less Cowboys side. They haven’t looked anywhere near their best this year yet remarkably sit 2nd on the competition ladder. Things just haven’t quite clicked for the Shire boys but they’ve been doing just enough to get the job done.
The brilliance of James Maloney has rescued them a number of times this season but they won’t have that luxury this week losing him to Origin duties along with Jack Bird and hard man Andrew Fifita. They are three significant outs to a side somewhat struggling to put points on the board.
The Bulldogs sit just outside the Top 8 and will lose veteran winger Brett Morris and work horse Josh Jackson to the side. They’re also still without five-eighth Josh Reynolds leaving Matt Frawley to partner Moses Mbye in the halves. Speaking on sides struggling to put the points on the board, Bulldogs come into the game with the second worst attacking record managing to score only 170 points through 11 games.
Tip: Likely to be a very dour game at a dewy Shark Park on Saturday night with the Dogs to show desperation against a depleted Sharks outfit.
Best bet: Bulldogs +4.5 $1.90
Odds: Sharks $1.45 Bulldogs $2.55
Canberra v Sydney
4pm AEST Sunday 28 May 2017
GIO Stadium
The Green Machine bounced back from their shock lost to the Knights handing a defeat to the Bulldogs last Saturday night. It was a much better performance from the Raiders and they’ll no doubt be out to build on that performance against the undermanned Chooks.
While the Raiders lose only Josh Papalii to Origin, the Roosters have a host of outs including half Mitch Pearce, Aidan Guerra, Blake Ferguson and Dylan Napa. Connor Watson gets his chance to impress starting in his preferred five-eighth role while Latrell Mitchell has been named despite not finishing the match against the Bulldogs last week.
Tip: Canberra have won the last 3 encounters at GIO Stadium against the Roosters and you can expect them to have too much class this week.
Best bet: Canberra -6.5 $1.90
Odds: Raiders 1.45 Roosters 2.75
