The following are previews and betting tips for the Friday NRL Round 6 fixtures: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors, Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels, Nth Qld Cowboys v Melbourne Storm
Canberra Raiders v NZ Warriors
Canberra Stadium, 2:00pm (local)
RAIDERS: Reece Robinson, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Shaun Berrigan, Jack Wighton, Terry Campese (c), Josh McCrone, Dane Tilse, Glen Buttriss, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Joe Picker, Bronson Harrison, Josh Papalii. Interchange: Travis Waddell, Jarrad Kennedy, Sam Mataora, Mark Nicholls
WARRIORS: Glen Fisiiahi, Bill Tupou, Ben Henry, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Sione Lousi, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (c), Elijah Taylor. Interchange (from): Russell Packer, Ukuma Ta’Ai, Lewis Brown, Sam Rapira, Krisnan Inu
IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE ‘BOUNCE BACK’ FACTOR in the NRL then you can flip a coin on these two sides with both coming off the back of woeful performances the previous week. Whilst I can forgive the Raiders somewhat because of all the injured players they have sitting on the sidelines, but the Warriors have the ability with their current playing roster to at least take opposing sides down to the wire but it’s just not happening.
If the Raiders decide to turn it on for the home crowd then these teams will be hard to separate on the scoreboard. I believe they can with the help of Terry Campese and I’m more than happy to tip them.
Chance of winning: Raiders 49%, Warriors 49%, Draw 2%
Mike’s Tip: Raiders
Mike’s Best Bet: None
Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels
Hunter Stadium, 3:00pm (local).
KNIGHTS: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Junior Sa’u, Timana Tahu, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Danny Buderus (c), Richie Fa’aoso, Chris Houston, Zeb Taia, Neville Costigan. Interchange (from): Matt Hilder, Joel Edwards, Adam Cuthbertson, Alex McKinnon, Zane Tetevano
EELS: Jarryd Hayne, Ken Sio, Esi Tonga, Willie Tonga, Cheyse Blair, Ben Roberts, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah, Matthew Keating, Mitchell Allgood, Nathan Hindmarsh (c), Taniela Lasalo, Reni Maitua. Interchange: Casey McGuire, Fuifui Moimoi, Justin Poore, Joseph Paulo
THE EELS GAVE THEIR FANS SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT when they knocked off the premiers Manly in front of the Eels faithful in Parramatta last week. The return of superstar fullback Jarryd Hayne sparked a usually lacklustre Eels line up into a pack of world beaters. Today the Eels travel north to Newcastle to battle with Wayne Bennett’s Knights in front of an ever boisterous Novacastrian crowd.
Despite losing to the Storm last week, the Knights showed plenty of spirit and I think plenty of improvement. Hooker Danny Buderus has been cleared to play in today’s match following a head knock he copped last week and I’m expecting to see him lead the Knights to victory today.
Chance of winning: Knights 56%, Eels 43%, Draw 1%
Mike’s Tip: Knights
Mike’s Best Bet: None
North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm
Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7:00pm (local)
COWBOYS: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston (c), Ray Thompson, Ashton Sims, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Joel Riethmuller, Ricky Thorby, Tariq Sims
STORM: Billy Slater, Matt Duffie, Dane Nielsen, Will Chambers, Sisa Waqa, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hoffman, Todd Lowrie. Interchange (from): Rory Kostjasyn, Kevin Proctor, Siosaia Vave, Jason Ryles, Maurice Blair, Jaiman Lowe
PREVIEW COMING SOON………………
Chance of winning: Cowboys 45%, Storm 54%, Draw 1%
Mike’s Tip: Storm
Mike’s Best Bet: None
Starting Bank: $2000, Current Bank $1965.44
(Team lists sourced from nrl.com.au)
