NRL Round 6 Previews and Tips

Broncos v Roosters Fri 10 Apr, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium

NRL action for round 6 will kick off on Friday night with the Sydney Roosters travelling north to take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. After a disappointing loss to 14^th placed Cronulla Sharks last week, Premiership heavyweights the Roosters will be looking to bounce back against a Brisbane side that will hope to extend their winning run to five NRL games with a victory on Friday night.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson will be without Origin star Aiden Guerra after the second rower sustained a broken jaw, but will be thankful for the return of representative prop Jarred Waerea-Hargreaves. Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has named an unchanged squad with Sam Thaiday again named to start in the absence of Adam Blair, although he will likely reprise his bench impact role.

PREDICTION:

The Broncos continue to impress with their young halves combination starting to gel and a defensive resolve that wins premierships, but injuries to key players in Jordan Kahu, Adam Blair and Captain Justin Hodges will leave the Brisbane club at a disadvantage against a star studded Roosters outfit. The Roosters will be fired up after handing the Sharks their first win of the season in a poor performance last week, so expect them to show up at Lang Park with something to prove. The Roosters should come away with the two points.

Ben’s Tips: Roosters Head to Head @ $1.80 (Sportsbet)

 

 

Sharks v Knights Fri 10 Apr, 7:35pm, Remondis Stadium

A confident Cronulla Sharks outfit will face a wounded Newcastle Knights team as both clubs nabbed their first win and loss of the season respectively last round. After four straight losses to start the season, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan successfully injected star rookies Valentine Holmes and Jack Bird into the fullback and five-eighth positions to great effect. The return of Ben Barba from suspension brought a welcome headache for Flanagan as he named the star recruit on the bench.

Knights coach Rick Stone will be smarting after the Knights were held scoreless in their first loss in the 2015 season. An injury to Origin forward Beau Scott will push Chris Houston into the starting back row as Sims brothers Korbin and Tariq will play together for the first time as the former returns from suspension.

PREDICTION:

The Knights took great advantage of an easy early draw to win four straight to start the 2015 NRL season, and while they look to be a dangerous side this year, they’re punching above their weight at 3^rd place on the NRL ladder. Expect them to go down to a fired up Sharks side eager to make up for their poor start to the season.

Ben’s Tips: Total Match Points under 36.5 @ $1.90 (William Hill)

 

 

Eels v Titans Sat 11 Apr, 3:00pm, Pirtek Stadium

The Parramatta Eels will play the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday afternoon as both clubs look to bounce back from disappointing losses last round. The Eels looked to be matching the Tigers last week but were beaten at the death, while the Titans were unable to mount a second half comeback against the Broncos.

Titans fans won’t be blamed for writing 2015 off as the Titans look for the second win of the season. Following the off field controversy of the cocaine scandal, State of Origin is sure to drain star representative forwards Greg Bird and Nate Myles. The Eels remain the picture of inconsistency as they backed up their gritty win over the reigning premiers the Rabbitohs in round four with a loss last round. The return of Reece Robinson will inject some experience into their backline after the loss of Beau Champion and Semi Radradra earlier in the season.

PREDICTION:

With both sides backing up from a loss in round 5, expect the Eels to be the hungrier squad. While the Titans are looking for only their second win of the season in round 6, their inexperienced spine will come back to haunt them as the Eels look for consistency after being nominated the worst performing team in the NRL away from home.

Ben’s Tips: Parramatta First to 20 points @ $1.80 (Centrebet)

 

 

Panthers v Sea Eagles Sat 11 Apr, 7:30pm, Sportingbet Stadium

The Penrith Panthers will play the Manly Sea Eagles this Saturday night in a clash between two clubs desperate to turn around their stuttering 2015 premiership campaigns. The Penrith club will be smarting after their 20 point loss to a resurgent Cowboys outfit last week and will be looking at four straight losses if they cannot find a win on Saturday night.

Manly will be similarly desperate after their loss to the Raiders last week – who they traditionally dominate. With a massive injury toll and their star halves pairing leaving at the end of the season, Geoff Toovey has his work cut out for him in the next 18 months as he looks not only for premiership points, but to keep his club from imploding.

PREDICTION:

The Panthers have been missing the composure of Jamie Soward with their fifth tackle options, and have looked off the pace ever since the star five-eighth was sidelined due to a back injury. Manly will be looking to restore lost pride as their star halves duo failed to control any aspect of their game last week, so expect the Sea Eagles to come out with something to prove.

Ben’s Tips: Sea Eagles +9.5 @ $1.92 (Ladbrokes)

 

 

Warriors v Tigers Sat 11 Apr, 5:30pm, Mt Smart Stadium

This Saturday evening will see the New Zealand Warriors take on the Wests Tigers as the New Zealand club’s talented roster faces mounting pressure to perform. Warriors coach Andrew McFadden ousted Matthew Elliot for the head coaching role at the Warriors, but so far in 2015 the Warriors have lapsed back to their inconsistent and ill-disciplined ways.

Conversely, new Tigers coach Jason Taylor will be chuffed at the performance of his young, exciting squad last week as they overcame the Eels. With young stars James Tedesco and Luke Brooks almost certainly booked in for a bright representative future, a powerful Tigers pack will not be afraid to stand up to a similarly intimidating Warriors forward rotation.

PREDICTION:

The Warriors have had a disappointing start to the 2015 NRL season. With star fullback Sam Tomkins injured and Shaun Johnson failing to emulate his Golden Boot winning form of 2014, expect a high flying Tigers outfit to extend the Warriors’ pain.

Ben’s Tips: Tigers +8.0 @ $1.99 (Pinnacle Sports)

 

 

Dragons v Bulldogs Sun 12 Apr, 4:00pm, ANZ Stadium

The Canterbury Bulldogs will field a rag-tag team against the St George Illawarra Dragons this week after losing stars Brett Morris and Tim Lafai to injury, as well as Captain James Graham, David Klemmer and Sam Kasiano to suspension in the wake of their controversial loss to the Rabbitohs last week.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor will be happy with his squad’s progress as statistics reveal the Dragons have conceded only one try in their last 220 minutes of football, making them the most impressive defensive side in the competition. The Dragons will be confident that their defence will hold up against a Bulldogs side short on attacking punch.

PREDICTION:

With 5 regular first-graders out of their squad – three of which are considered amongst the best in their position in the NRL – the Bulldogs should be easy pickings for a confident Dragons outfit.

Ben’s Tips: Dragons H2H @ $1.90 (Sportsbet)

 

 

Raiders v Storm Sun 12 Apr, 2:00pm, GIO Stadium

The Melbourne Storm will take on the Canberra Raiders as Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will be hoping for more of the same after a classy win against the Sea Eagles last week. Storm coach Craig Bellamy will be equally satisfied with his squad’s progress after they beat the Warriors in round 5.

While Bellamy has named an unchanged side to face the Raiders, Origin and Queensland fullback Billy Slater is not expected to participate after sustaining a shoulder injury last round, while the Raiders have been forced into one change due to suspension, with Jeremy Hawkins coming onto the wing for Jordan Rapana.

PREDICTION:

While the Raiders displayed courage and composure to overcome Manly last week, they face a different challenge with the Storm. Despite an injury to Billy Slater, expect a star studded Melbourne outfit to be firing against their rivals from our Nation’s capital. Storm to come away with the points.

Ben’s Tips: Storm H2H @ $1.65 (Bet365)

 

 

Rabbitohs v Cowboys Mon 13 Apr, 7:00pm, ANZ Stadium

Defending Premiers the South Sydney Rabbitohs will take on the North Queensland Cowboys in Sydney on Monday night after losing star Halfback Adam Reynolds to a knee injury last week. The Rabbitohs will be on high alert as ball-playing backrower John Sutton has been named in the halves to combat a dangerous Cowboys halves duo after Jonathan Thurston has managed consecutive man of the match performances in his last two games.

After star representative forward trio Matt Scott, James Tamou and Jason Taumalolo finally look to be hitting their straps, Cowboys coach Paul Green will be confident his previously stuttering pack can lay a platform for his backline.

PREDICTION:

Souths managed to steal victory from the Jaws of defeat last week after a lucky penalty at the death gave them a 1 point victory, but the Cowboys will leave nothing down to chance as they look to put their poor start to the season behind them and establish themselves as the premiership heavyweights so many predicted they would be in 2015. Expect the North Queenslanders to come away with the points.

Ben’s Tips: Total Match Points Over 38.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)