St George Illawarra Dragons v New Zealand Warriors
WIN Stadium, 2:00pm.
Dragons $1.50, Warriors $2.62 (Centrebet)
Dragons: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby (c), Dan Hunt, Dean Young, Michael Weyman, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Matt Prior. Interchange (from): Adam Cuthbertson, Trent Merrin, Jon Green, Kyle Stanley, Nathan Fien, Mitch Rein
Warriors: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Joel Moon, Shaun Berrigan, Krisnan Inu, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Russell Packer, Aaron Heremaia, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (c), Micheal Luck. Interchange (from): Lewis Brown, Lance Hohaia, Ben Matulino, Sam Rapira, Elijah Taylor
WHAT CAN WE SAY about the Dragons’ horror run of form that hasn’t already been said? Some Dragons fans are still trying to pick themselves up off the floor! It’s fair to say that St George put in an improved effort against the competition leaders in the Storm last week but a loss is a loss. Two competition points may prove vital to the Warriors in their attempt to gain a spot in the top 4 and an all important home final on New Zealand soil. The form lines of the two teams are at polar opposites with the Dragons wining only 2 from their last 11 games and the Warriors having won 6 from their last 7. The Dragons solid rediscovery of form last week and the home ground advantage sees them locked in as favourites today.
Mike’s Best Bet: None
Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Suncorp Stadium, 3:00pm.
Broncos $1.48, Rabbitohs $2.72 (Sportsbet)
Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Ben Te’o, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Matt Gillett, Ben Hunt, Ben Hannant, David Hala.
Rabbitohs: Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Shaune Corrigan, Greg Inglis, Chris McQueen, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Ben Ross, Issac Luke, Shannan McPherson, Eddy Pettybourne, David Taylor, Michael Crocker (c). Interchange: Luke Burgess, Dave Tyrrell, Jason Clark, Nathan Peats
THIS IS SOUTH SYDNEY’S BIG CHANCE to break away from the Bulldogs and the Knights and move into outright 8th position on the ladder. Only one thing stands in their way and that’s a Broncos outfit that are seemingly building on their great form in a bid to peak come finals time. With Manly winning on Friday night it now means that the Broncos will finish 3rd on the ladder at the end of the season and they suddenly have less to play for. The Bunnies have it all to play for and a win here today would not only be huge for the fact that they move to outright 8th, but huge for them mentally to know they are capable of knocking off a top 4 side.
Mike’s Best Bet: None
Starting Bank: $2000, Current Bank $2744.73
(Team lists sourced from nrl.com.au)
