NRL Round 2 Preview
Isn’t it good to be back!
With round one for 2019 done and dusted we take a look at what to expect from Round 2 of the 2019 NRL season.
St George Illawarra Dragons ($2.40) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.58)
Thursday, March 21 7:50pm, Nestrata Jubilee Stadium
Two teams who couldn’t be further apart in how they feel about their round one results come together for the first match of round two in the St George Illawarra Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Rabbitohs impressively knocked off defending premiers, world club champions and most importantly arch enemies, the Sydney Roosters, in dominant fashion last Friday. In doing this, the Rabbitohs cemented themselves as a leading premiership contender under Wayne Bennet as he unlocked Adam Reynolds kicking game and their forward pack. On the other hand, the Dragon were dominated in Townsville by the Cowboys as they never seemed to settle into their new combinations throughout the 80 minutes. The task for the Dragons now is to overturn a pre season Charity Shield loss to the Rabbitohs without the help of their injured NSW Blues star Tyson Frizell. This looks a lot harder as Souths won both games against them last year and with less that convincing weather predicted for Sydney over the next 3 days we’re predicting Souths to continue this trend in a close match.
Recommended Bet: South Sydney Rabbitohs 1-12 $2.70
Canberra Raiders ($2.30) vs Melbourne Storm ($1.63)
Friday, March 22 6:00pm, GIO Stadium
Two teams who are coming off the back of impressive wins is more than enough reason to rush home from work or duck into the nearest pub as we set ourselves for an enthralling contest. The Melbourne Storm continued their exceptional round one unbeaten record by posting their 15th straight victory with a 22-12 defeat of the Brisbane Broncos. Likewise, the Canberra Raiders put in a convincing performance as their defence proved rock solid in keeping the Titans scoreless across 80 minutes whilst helping themselves to 21 points of their own. On the back of these performances Friday nights fixture has been hit with the surprise return of Raiders star & New Zealand International Jordan Rapana who was meant to be sidelined until the middle of the year after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction. If the Raiders are to prevail for the first time since 2016 against the Storm then Rapana will have to be at his best and star hooker Josh Hodgson will need to win his battle against the consistent Cameron Smith. For the Storm they will need to overcome their first trip to the nations capital since 2017 and we believe they can do this in a low scoring contest.
Recommended Bet: Under 41.5 points $1.88
Brisbane Broncos ($1.60) vs North Queensland Cowboys ($2.35)
Friday, March 22 7:55pm, Suncorp Stadium
Each year one of the first fixtures that every NRL fan looks for is the traditional Queensland derby. This fixture has produced some of the games closest finishes, highlighted by none other than the 2015 Grand Final. This years matchup sees the Broncos coming off a disappointing 10 point loss to the Storm in which they lacked organisation, leadership and a strong kicking game after falling behind early whilst the Cowboys come off an impressive 12 point victory against the Dragons in Townsville. The Cowboys performance was highlighted by Jason Taumalolo becoming the first forward to run for over 300 metres in round one in a barnstorming performance that was capped off by a try assist. If the Broncos are to win they will have to stop arguably the competitions strongest forward pack without their own enforcer in Matt Lodge who is suspended and will be hoping that they get off to a much faster start so they can ease the pressure on their halves. For the Cowboys they will have to win at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since the corresponding fixture in 2017. It is interesting to note that 8 of the last 9 fixtures between these two teams have been decided by 6 points or less and we believe this could be another close game that goes the way of the Cowboys.
Recommended Bet: North Queensland Cowboys 1-12 $3.45
Cronulla Sharks ($1.38) vs Gold Coast Titans ($3.10)
Saturday, March 23 3:00pm, Shark Park
Collectively, the Sharks and the Titans combined for 8 points in round one in what proved to be a frustrating round that both teams will want to forget. The Titans were unlucky to lose both of their starting halves in Ashley Taylor, pre game, and Tyrone Roberts, early in the game, as they went down to the Raiders whilst the Sharks will rue missed chances against the Knights but can hold their heads high on the basis of a strong defensive performance. For the Titans they will have to make do without both Taylor & Roberts again this week as AJ Brimson & Ryley Jacks, who is making his club debut, will line up in the halves for them. On the other hand the Sharks coach John Morris has named an unchanged squad who will be looking to score a win against a team that they have only beaten twice in their last five outings. On their side is the fact that Shark Park has been somewhat of a fortress when favourites in recent years with the Sharks boasting a 7-2 record as the home favourite last year and for this reason we believe they will kickstart their season with a convincing win against the Titans.
Recommended Bet: Cronulla Sharks -6.5 Line $1.95
Newcastle Knights ($1.76) vs Penrith Panthers ($2.10)
Saturday, March 23 5:30pm, McDonald Jones Stadium
Who would have thought that coming into round two that one of the pre season favourites in the Penrith Panthers would come into the game as underdogs to the Newcastle Knights. Well this is exactly what’s happening as the Panthers fumbled their way to a shock defeat at the hands of last years wooden spooners, the Eels, whilst the Knights overcame a top four team from 2018 in the Sharks. The Knights can take confidence from their defence against the Sharks and if their forwards, led by new signing David Klemmer, can out muscle the Panthers forward pack then you get the feeling that Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce could have the Panthers staring down the barrel at 0-2 record to start the year. For the Panthers to stop this then they need to focus on reducing the 15 errors that they produced last week and increasing their competition rate from 62% to avoid chasing their tails like they have been known to do in recent seasons. Whether they can make these changes in the space of 6 days is anyones guess but we’re predicting the Knights to take control again and use a home crowd advantage to get themselves over the line.
Recommended Bet: Newcastle Knights -2 Line $1.90
Manly Sea Eagles ($3.25) vs Sydney Roosters ($1.35)
Saturday, March 23 7:35pm, Lottoland
Manly return to Lottoland under the guidance of Des Hasler for the first time since 2011 and they will be hoping this can spur them into reinstating their spiritual home to the fortress that it once was. To do this they will have to inflict a second straight loss on the current World Club Champions, the Sydney Roosters, for the first time since August of 2018. Up against Manly’s task is the absence of NSW Blues star Tom Trbojevic who is still suffering from a hamstring injury and a Rooster side who are eager to bounce back from what some people would say a shock loss to their arch rivals, the Rabbitohs. The Roosters will look to do this with an unchanged side, as Angus Crichton remains on the bench, and Trent Robinson will be hoping that their 15 errors and 64% completion rate was a minor road bump in their quest for back-to-back premierships. Despite the Roosters winning both fixtures between the sides in 2018 over the course of the last 8 matches Manly hold a 5-3 advantage of the Roosters and will be hoping they can continue this dominance. Unfortunately for Sea Eagles fans we see the Roosters showing the composure and prowess that they have been known to possess and running out victors on Saturday evening.
Recommended Bet: Sydney Roosters Line -8.5 $1.95
Canterbury Bulldogs ($2.25) vs Parramatta Eels ($1.66)
Sunday, March 24 4:05pm, ANZ Stadium
What a way to start the year for the Parramatta Eels in defeating a team who many consider to be one of the premiership heavyweights and in doing so securing their first away win in 570 days. On the other end of the spectrum is the Canterbury Bulldogs who slumped to their biggest ever defeat in round one after a 40-6 demolition over in New Zealand. What was most concerning for the Bulldogs was that despite completing at 88% for the match they struggled to stay in the contest as a result of losing the battle in the forwards and missing a whopping 38 tackles. For the Bulldogs to bounce back from this it is going to take a monumental effort, with an unchanged side, against a side who played an exhilarating and direct style of footy led by one of the youngest and inexperienced spines in the league. To deepen the woes of Bulldogs fans the Eels have proved somewhat of a bogey team for them as they have registered only one win against them since 2015. We are predicting the Eels dominance to continue as they continue their resurgence after last years disappointment,
Recommended Bet: Parramatta Eels -3.5 Line $1.95
West Tigers ($1.80) vs New Zealand Warriors ($2.02)
Sunday, March 24 6:10pm, Campbelltown Stadium
The final fixture of round two sees two teams coming off impressive victories led by experienced campaigners in Robbie Farah & Blake Green. The West Tigers ran out 20-6 winners over the Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval on the back of a 2 try effort from Farah whilst the Warriors convincingly put aside the Bulldogs by 34 points in what was their biggest ever victory in round one. Both sides will be sweating on the returns of two of their biggest stars in Moses Mbye, club captain for the Tigers, and Isaac Luke, former New Zealand International for the Warriors, as their inclusions could swing the odds in their favour significantly. The Tigers will be hoping that they continue their dominance over the Warriors in winning 4 of their last 5 and their last 2 games at Campbelltown Stadium. On the other hand the Warriors will be looking to continue their resurgent away form that saw them win 8 of a possible 12 away matches last year. Despite this resurgent form we are leaning towards the Tigers to pick up another victory on the back of a composed game by Luke Brooks.
Recommended Bet: West Tigers 1-12 $2.90
