2024 NRL Round 2 Betting Predictions
Get ready for another thrilling round of footy action as the NRL Round 2 kicks off! The Broncos and Rabbitohs are back from Vegas looking for their first of the season at Suncorp on Thursday night footy.
Brisbane Broncos (12th) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (13th)
The Broncos were expected to win their opening match but were disappointed by their loss, especially with 15 errors. They had to rejig their lineup when Brendan Piakura got ruled out after failing his HIA, forcing changes in their rotation. But Piakura is set to bounce back this week. Despite these setbacks, the Broncos have won three of their last four games against the Rabbitohs. Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has been a standout against the Rabbitohs, scoring six tries in seven games.
The Rabbitohs are back from Vegas after copping a disappointing 36-24 loss. But don't count 'em out just yet. They've been on fire at Suncorp Stadium, winning their last four games there. There's some shuffle in the forward pack for the Bunnies. Tallis Duncan is stepping up to the starting side to cover for the injured Jai Arrow's shoulder. And on the bench, we've got Shaquille Mitchell making his 2024 debut, swapping in for Jacob Host.
The underdog's been strong involving South Sydney, covering the line in their last 11 matches. When they hit up Suncorp Stadium, they're on fire, winning the last four matches straight up.
Stadium Record
In their last 10 games at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane holds a 5-5 record. South Sydney are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Broncos are 6-5 against the Rabbitohs since 2018.
Best Bet
South Sydney Rabbitohs +8.5 = $1.85
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (8th) vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (15th)
Last week the Sharks rocked up across the ditch and totally wrecked the Warriors' plans in front of a packed house. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon would've been chuffed with their gutsy comeback. The Sharks, who've copped a bit of flak in the past for struggling against top-eight teams, turned the tables after trailing 12-6 at half-time. Tries from Ronaldo Mulitalo and Siosifa Talaka in the second half sealed the deal. Last year, in their two meetings, the Sharks smashed the Bulldogs twice, piling on a whopping 81 points while the Dogs only managed 30. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon's sticking to the winning formula, making only a few tweaks to the lineup that knocked over the Warriors. Toby Rudolf's in the starting lineup and Royce Hunt's moving to the bench.
The Bulldogs couldn't quite keep up with the Eels in front of a packed house at CommBank Stadium. Even with their new blood, like skipper Stephen Crichton and halfback Drew Hutchinson, they're still getting used to playing together. They were down and out at halftime, trailing 14-0, but managed to claw their way back to a 12-point gap with just 10 minutes to go. Showed some real ticker, but ended up going down 26-8. With Josh Addo-Carr out for a few weeks due to an AC injury, we'll see new face Conner Tracey take his spot on the wing.
Cronulla's been ruling the night games lately, covering the line in their last five matches. Against Canterbury, they've been even more ruthless, winning the last three games by a huge 13+ points.
Stadium Record
Cronulla are 5-5 in their last 10 games at this venue. Canterbury are 0-3 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Sharks hold an 8-2 record.
Best Bet
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks -9.5 = $1.85
Penrith Panthers (11th) vs Parramatta Eels (3rd)
After copping a double whammy with a loss to Wigan in the World Club Challenge and a big fat doughnut against Melbourne in Round 1, Ivan Cleary's Panthers are itching to turn things around when they face off against their mates from Western Sydney. They were leakin' penalties left, right and centre and making plenty of mistakes. But now with hooker Mitch Kenny back in the starting lineup, they're looking to get their three-time premiership-winning combo back in sync come Friday.
The Eels are stoked heading into Round 2 after smashing the Bulldogs 26-8 on Saturday night. They're champing at the bit to get back to the Penrith fortress after taking down the premiers 32-18 there in Round 26 last year. Even though Mitch Moses had a bit of a twinge in his groin during Saturday's opener, he passed the kicking duties to his mates. But no worries, he's all set to rip it up in the Round 2 showdown. Coach Brad Arthur's sticking with the same 17 that did the job in Round 1 against the Bulldogs.
Penrith's been smashing it at BlueBet Stadium after a loss, covering the line in their last eight matches there. Plus, they've won five outta six games by a whopping 13+ points.
Stadium Record
Penrith are 9-1 in their last 10 games at this venue. Parramatta are 3-3 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, the Panthers are 9-6 against the Eels.
Best Bet
Canberra Raiders (4th) vs Wests Tigers (9th)
After smashing the Knights 28-12 in what was probably the biggest upset of Round 1, Ricky Stuart's men reckon they've got a real shot of a big win against the wooden spooners as they kick off at GIO Stadium for 2024. Centre Seb Kris is back from suspension, so Albert Hopoate's heading out to the wing.
The Wests Tigers are champing at the bit after a Round 1 breather, but they've got a ripper of a challenge ahead against a Raiders team buzzing from a massive win over the Knights. After copping their second straight wooden spoon, the Tigers need a cracking start to keep their die-hard fans believing that 2024 might finally be their year. Rookie coach Benji Marshall's set to unleash a bunch of fresh faces, with Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer looking like they'll get first dibs in the halves.
Canberra and the Wests Tigers have been keeping it low-scoring, with seven out eight of their recent matches seeing the total match points go UNDER.
Stadium Record
Canberra are 3-2 in their last 5 games at this venue. Since 2018, Wests have a 1-2 record at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 9 meetings, the Raiders hold an 8-1 record against the Tigers.
Best Bet
North Queensland Cowboys (1st) vs Newcastle Knights (14th)
The Cowboys are grinning after thrashing the Dolphins in Round 1 and now they're back at home, ready to take on a Knights side feeling a bit dusty after getting done over by the Raiders. Guided by former premiership-winning half James Maloney, now pulling the strings as club attack coach, the Cowboys played some flashy footy, even notching up four tries after the final tackle in their whopping 43-18 win over the 'Phins. Coach Todd Payten's stoked to name the same 17 as last time.
Newcastle copped a rough 28-12 beating in front of a packed crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium and things went pear-shaped in the last 20 minutes when they let in three tries. Enari Tuala's nursing a quad injury from last week, so he's out and Tom Jenkins, fresh from the Panthers, is getting his debut for the Knights.
The Cowboys have been smashin' it at home against Newcastle, winning all of the last 10 matches. Plus, they've covered the line in nine outta 13 games.
Stadium Record
North Queensland are 7-3 in their last 10 games at this venue. Since 2018, Newcastle have a 0-4 record at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Cowboys are 5-3 against the Knights since 2018.
Best Bet
North Queensland Cowboys -7.5 = $1.90
Melbourne Storm (7th) vs New Zealand Warriors (10th)
The Storm outlasted the Panthers with an epic 8-0 win, keeping their unbeaten streak in opening rounds alive for a whopping 22 years. Craig Bellamy’s men have been dominating this battle too since 2016, stacking up a solid 14 wins in a row against the Warriors. The Storm are gunning for an impressive 11th straight win at AAMI Park as well, but they'll be missing key players Cameron Munster and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, both still on the sidelines due to injuries.
After copping a surprise loss in the first game and having two key players sidelined with injuries, this ain't looking good for the Warriors as they try to bounce back. Despite a ripper start last Friday, the Warriors couldn't keep up the momentum against the Sharks, ending up with a 16-12 loss. No changes in the lineup from Round 1. Kurt Capewell's ready to take on the Storm despite nursing a rib cartilage issue from last week.
Melbourne's been keeping things quiet at AAMI Park, with seven outta their last eight night games seeing the total match points go UNDER.
Stadium Record
In their last 10 games at AAMI Park, Melbourne holds a 10-0 record. New Zealand are 0-5 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 14, the Storm hold a 14-0 record.
Best Bet
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (5th) vs Sydney Roosters (6th)
Manly's first home game of the season is gonna pull a massive crowd after their first up win in Las Vegas. Fans are banking on turning 4 Pines into a fortress once more, even though they only managed to snag six wins out of 10 there last season. But, they'll have to do it without Jason Saab tearing down the wing for at least the next month, thanks to a hamstring injury he picked up in Vegas.
The Roosters copped their own injury woes in Vegas. Billy Smith pulled out of the Broncos clash last minute 'cause of a dodgy hammy and poor old Dom Young was out with a neck twinge. But, Young's back in action this week, along with the veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who's stepping onto the field for his 299th game after a suspension break. Spencer Leniu copped an eight-week ban from the judiciary on Monday night so JWH is a welcome addition.
Sydney's been on fire, winning seven outta eight games. They've also smashed the line in seven of those wins.
Stadium Record
Manly are 3-2 in their last 5 games at this venue. Sydney are 3-1 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, the Roosters are 7-3 against the Sea Eagles.
Best Bet
Dolphins (17th) vs St. George Illawarra Dragons (2nd)
The Dolphins copped a real knock to their confidence with that 43-18 hiding from the Cowboys. They missed a heap of tackles and struggled to get their act together, only managing a 77 per cent completion rate. And to add salt to the wound, Connelly Lemuelu's out with a knee injury and we won't be seeing Ray Stone in Round 2 due to concussion. There are some big shake-ups in the halves, with young gun Isaiya Katoa getting the nod at No.7 and Sean O’Sullivan riding the pine. Plus, keep an eye out for former Bulldog Jake Averillo, making his debut for the Dolphins. Last time these blokes clashed at Kayo Stadium, it was the Dolphins who snagged the win, thanks to some top-notch play from Anthony Milford.
The Dragons are heading up north again with a real spring in their step after kicking off the Shane Flanagan era with a cracking win over the Titans in Round 1. For Flanagan, seeing Tyrell Sloan bag a hat-trick and Zac Lomax tearing it up on the wing was like hitting the jackpot. He's feeling pretty chuffed about the tough calls he made, especially with Moses Suli and skipper Ben Hunt showing up strong. Good news for the Red V – prop Blake Lawrie's back in action after sitting out Round 1 with a rib twinge. They'll be gunning for a 2-0 start for the first time since 2018 when they won six on the trot. Luciano Leilua's ready to go on the bench too.
Seven outta eight of the Dragons games have seen the total match points go UNDER.
Stadium Record
The Dolphins are 2-1 in their history. St. George lost 26-12 at this venue last season.
Head to Head Record
The head to head is tied at 1-1.
Best Bet
