NRL Round 13 Previews and Betting Tips

 

Raiders v Sea Eagles Fri 3 Jun, 7:50PM, GIO Stadium

The Canberra Raiders will host the Manly Sea Eagles this Friday night after the Raiders impressed in their win over the Bulldogs last week as they look set for success for the ever important Origin period.

The Sea Eagles will welcome back Steve Matai to the centres with Apisai Koroisau coming onto an extended bench while the Raiders will replace the injured Edrick Lee with Brenko Lee on the wing. Josh Papalii will back-up from Origin for Canberra as Junior Paulo and Clay Priest come on to an extended bench.

While Manly will be returning from the bye refreshed, especially with their limited Origin representation, the Raiders will go into the match as favourites on the back of their impressive performance against the Bulldogs last round. Junior Paulo may make his debut from an extended bench for the Raiders, but expect the Raiders’ powerful forwards to make the difference. Canberra to get the points.

Betting Tip: Raiders -6.0 @ $2.01 (Pinnacle)

 

Warriors v Broncos Sat 4 Jun, 3:00PM, Mt Smart Stadium

The Brisbane Broncos will take on the New Zealand Warriors this Saturday afternoon in New Zealand after the former competition leading Brisbane has now fallen two wins outside the competition leading Cronulla Sharks. Despite the absence of their Origin players in their loss against the Tigers last week, the Broncos were poor in their one point loss.

The Warriors will back up from the bye round after their 26-point loss against the Raiders in round 11 with the return of Solomone Kata, Manu Vatuvei, Albert Vete, Nathaniel Roache and Charlie Gubb, while Brisbane will welcome back Origin quartet Corey Parker, Darius Boyd, Josh McGuire and Sam Thaiday with Origin stars Corey Oates and Matt Gillett getting a rest. Travis Waddell will also come into the side for the injured Andrew McCullough.

The Broncos will be heavily fatigued with the match taking place less than three days after Origin one on Wednesday. Expect the Brisbane club to be eager for a win, but they face a rejuvenated Warriors outfit playing at home, which has been a struggle for the Broncos in the past. The Broncos should get the points on the back of their representative stars, who undoubtedly improve the rest of Brisbane’s roster out of sight.

Betting Tip: Total Match Points Over 40.5 @ $1.90 (Sportsbet)

 

Cowboys v Knights Sat 4 Jun, 5:30PM, 1300Smiles Stadium

The North Queensland Cowboys will host the Newcastle Knights in Townsville this Saturday evening in the aftermath of Queensland’s dour win in Origin one on Wednesday night. Both sides come off narrow losses last round and the Cowboys in particular will be keen to make amends with the 2015 premiers undoubtedly not accustomed to losing matches.

The Queensland club will welcome back their full contingent of rep starts with James Tamou, Matt Scott, Jonathan Thurston, Michael Morgan and Justin O’Neill set to take the field, while the Knights will also see Dane Gagai backing up from Origin, as well as Jeremy Smith.Pat Mata’utia and David Bhana will also come onto an extended bench.

The Cowboys have found themselves slipping down the competition ladder through the Origin period, now two wins behind the competition leaders. Expect the Cowboys to fire on the return of their Origin cohort to come away with the points.

Betting Tip: Total Match Points Over 42.5 @ $2.00 (Bet365)

 

Storm v Panthers Sat 4 Jun, 7:30PM, AAMI Park

The Melbourne Storm will play the Penrith Panthers this Saturday night at their home ground in Melbourne after the Victorian club impressively sits equal first on the ladder with the Sharks after displaying scintillating recent form.

Queensland stars Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk have not been named for the clash, as Christian Welch and Young Tonumaipea come onto the bench as cover. The Raiders will welcome back Waqa Blake in place of the injured Peta Hiku while Chris Grevsmuhl and Sitaleki Akauola have been included on the interchange.

While the Storm have been impressive, Smith and Cronk are major cogs in Melbourne’s well-oiled football machine. The Panthers are facing a number of changes themselves after the bye rounds, but expect the experience in the Melbourne Storm side to be the difference in a dour contest.
STORM def PANTHERS 18-12

Betting Tip: Storm -2.0 @ $1.90 (Luxbet)

 

Roosters v Tigers Sun 5 Jun, 4:00PM, Allianz Stadium

The Sydney Roosters will take on the Wests Tigers this Sunday afternoon after the struggling joint-venture club impressed against the Broncos last week with a field goal proving the difference. The Roosters will return from the bye refreshed but backing up from a poor loss against the Bulldogs in round 11.

Dale Copley is set to return from a pectoral injury in the only change for the Roosters, while the Tigers will welcome back star trio James Tedesco, Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods.

While the Roosters will go into the match as heavy favourites, the Tigers were extremely impressive against the Broncos last week and will be further strengthened by the inclusion of Tedesco as well as Farah and Woods from the Origin arena. The match is likely to be very close, but expect the Tigers recent form and roster inclusions to get them over the line.

Betting Tip: Tigers Head to Head @ $3.19 (Pinnacle)

 

Rabbitohs v Titans Sun 5 Jun, 6:30PM, nib Stadium

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will play the Gold Coast Titans this Sunday night with the Queensland club backing up from an impressive win over Penrith in round 11 after their bye last week. It was a successful club debut for former Parramatta rake Nathan Peats with the dummy-half scoring in his Gold Coast debut.

Peats will again come off the bench for the Gold Coast as David Shillington’s return will come at the expense of Eddy Pettybourne. Konrad Hurrell has also been named at 18th man but may make his club debut. The Rabbitohs only change will come as George Burgess is replaced by Dave Tyrrell on the bench.

Souths’ Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds will both return to the halves after solid performances in State of Origin on Wednesday as will Greg Bird at lock for the Titans.
The successful back-line shake up for Souths is paying dividends with the Rabbitohs looking for their third consecutive win. They will face a motivated Gold Coast side but expect the class and experience of South Sydney to get them over the line.

Betting Tip: Rabbitohs -4.0 @ $1.92 (Crownbet)

 

Bulldogs v Sharks Mon 6 Jun, 7:00PM, ANZ Stadium

The Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs will take on the Cronulla Sharks as the Shire club’s round 11 win over the Sea Eagles propelled them to competition ladder leaders. The Sharks have been extremely impressive this year and are now reaping the benefits with limited fallout from their limited Origin representation.

Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita and James Maloney will all return from the Origin arena in an unchanged Sharks outfit, while the Bulldogs will also welcome back Josh Jackson, Josh Morris and David Klemmer from the interstate series. Will Hopoate will also return for the Bulldogs at Fullback

The Sharks will go into the match as favourites and with similar Origin representation to the Bulldogs, they won’t be too concerned with their Origin players’ fatigue. The Bulldogs have been struggling for consistency lately and while they have the forward power to match the Sharks, they lack the back-line cohesiveness of the competition leaders. Expect Cronulla to get the points.

Betting Tip: Sharks Head to Head @ $1.92 (Ladbrokes)

 

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Best Bet

Tigers Head to Head @ $3.19 (Pinnacle)

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