The following are previews with betting tips for Round 6 of the 2021 NRL season.
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Broncos v PanthersThursday, April 15, 7:50pm AEST |
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After another disappointing 35-6 loss to South Sydney, Brisbane now face the enormous task of hosting the Penrith Panthers after the 2020 grand-finalists sent another warning shot to the competition with a comfortable 30-10 victory over the Raiders last week. The struggling Broncos will be desperate to conjure a good performance with pressure building on rookie NRL coach Kevin Walters.
Penrith have named an unchanged squad heading into this clash, while Walters has made some big selection calls. Brisbane have dropped senior playmaker Anthony Milford to reserve grade for the first time in his career, while talented rookie Tesi Niu is also missing from the squad. Jesse Arthars and Brodie Croft will come into the starting line-up as cover. Tevita Pangai Jr will shift to the second-row with Patrick Carrigan’s return from suspension at lock, pushing rookie Jordan Riki to the bench. Ethan Bullemor will also join the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad.
Brisbane have been in poor form but have faced top teams in the Eels, Storm and Rabbitohs in their first five games. Penrith will enter this match as firm favourites and the Panthers would need to produce a disastrous performance for the Broncos to win. Walters has shuffled his edges, likely due to Brisbane’s poor edge-defence but expect the likes of Nathan Cleary and Jahrome Lui to have a field-day. Panthers to get the win.
Betting Tip: Broncos +27.5 @ $1.95 (Playup)
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Knights v SharksFriday, April 16, 6:00pm AEST |
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Cronulla’s disappointing loss in which they surrendered a 18-4 lead heading into the final quarter against the Roosters proved to be the final nail in coach John Morris’ coffin, with highly-rated Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon signing on to coach the Sharks in 2022. They will face a struggling Knights squad who were humbled in a poor 42-16 loss to the Titans as Newcastle’s bulging casualty ward takes its toll.
Cronulla will be without Wade Graham and Josh Dugan to concussion with Connor Tracey moving into the centres alongside Briton Nikora, who returns from suspension in the second-row. Siosifa Talakai will also play his first game of the year off the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad. Meanwhile, Newcastle will welcome reinforcements in Bradman Best, Kurt Mann and Jacob Saifiti in a huge boost to an otherwise unchanged squad.
With assistant coach Josh Hannay stepping in as interim coach, the Sharks’ response to the shock sacking of their coach remains to be seen. Newcastle will be desperate for a victory to avoid their fourth consecutive loss, while Cronulla may take some time to find their feet under Hannay, particularly in the absence of captain Wade Graham. This match could go either way but expect the Knights to come away with the win.
Betting Tip: Knights -2.0 @ $1.90 (Playup)
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Storm v RoostersFriday, April 16, 7:55pm AEST |
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Friday night will bring a massive blockbuster clash between the Storm and Roosters in a game that shapes as an interesting litmus test for both teams. Both clubs have lost an enormous amount of talent in recent times and will be looking to prove they are still capable of beating the best. Melbourne produced a dominant victory over the Bulldogs last week, while the Roosters conjured a miraculous comeback victory after trailing the Sharks 18-4 heading into the last quarter.
Melbourne have named an unchanged squad, but with Brenko Lee included in the reserves the Origin centre could yet return in the centres. The Roosters are facing an injury crisis at hooker with fifth-string hooker Ben Marschke beating a judiciary charge to take his place in the squad. Lindsay Collins and Adam Keighran will also both return at prop and from the interchange respectively.
Melbourne will enter this match as favourites but the Roosters have shown they are no spent force in the absence of Luke Keary. Rookie halfback Sam Walker has been a revelation for Trent Robinson’s troops and will take an enormous amount of confidence from steering his team to victory last week. This match could go either way but expect the Storm to target the rookie hooker Marschke and dominate the ruck with Harry Grant back in the squad. Storm to get the win.
Betting Tip: Roosters +8.5 @ $1.90 (Sportsbet)
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Sea Eagles v TitansSaturday, April 17, 3:00pm AEST |
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Manly produced an extremely important, morale-boosting victory over the Warriors last week in which captain Daly Cherry-Evans once again proved he is one of the game’s best clutch-players after producing the winning field-goal. They will face a red-hot Titans squad who are coming off a demolition job against Newcastle in an impressive 42-16 victory.
Superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic has been named to make his long awaited return from a hamstring injury with perfect timing as fill-in fullback Dylan Walker faces a stint on the sidelines with injury. Haumole Olakau’atu and Cade Cust will also return in the second-row and off the bench respectively in an otherwise unchanged squad. Meanwhile, the Gold Coast have named an unchanged squad.
The Titans will enter this match as firm favourites but should be wary of a Manly outfit buoyed by the return of Trbojevic and their first win of the season last week. The Titans are refining an unconventional yet effective style of football under Justin Holbrook, and expect their ascendancy through the middle third to prove the difference. Titans to get the win.
Betting Tip: Titans -6.5 @ $1.91 (Winnersbet)
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Rabbitohs v TigersSaturday, April 17, 5:30pm AEST |
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The Tigers produced their worst half of football in the first half against North Queensland and fell short of a second-half comeback in an extremely disappointing performance. They now face a huge test against South Sydney, who looked comfortable in an impressive 35-6 victory over the Broncos last week.
Jake Simpkin has been parachuted into the Tigers’ hooker position at the expense of Jacob Liddle with Asu Kepaoa also joining the squad at centre. For the Rabbitohs, Cody Walker will return from suspension at five-eighth with Liam Knight also a chance to make his return from concussion after being included in the reserves.
Souths will enter this match as firm favourites but should be wary of an inconsistent Tigers squad desperate to put together an 80-minute performance. While the Rabbitohs have not been at their devastating best, they would need to produce a very poor performance to see their opposition achieve victory. Rabbitohs to get the points.
Betting Tip: Tigers +18.5 @ $1.90 (Bluebet)
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Raiders v EelsSaturday, April 17, 7:35pm AEST |
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The Eels’ undefeated start to the season was brought to an unceremonious end against a physical Dragons outfit last week and Parramatta now face another big test against a Raiders squad who were humbled in a disappointing 30-10 loss to the Panthers. This clash could be an early preview of the finals series with both these clubs shaping to go deep into the play-offs.
Ryan Matterson has been named to return from concussion for the Eels as Will Smith joins the starting side to cover suspended five-eighth Dylan Brown. Keegan Hipgrave will also join the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad. For the Raiders, Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad is facing an indefinite stint on the sidelines with a neck injury with Caleb Aekins named at fullback as cover as Curtis Scott and Emre Guler also join the squad at centre and on the bench respectively.
The Raiders will enter this match as favourites but with both teams coming off disappointing losses, expect a brutal physical contest which could go down to the wire. Parramatta looked far from their best against the Dragons, while the Raiders faced much adversity with the loss of their fullback against a very good Raiders team. Expect Canberra to get the points in a close contest.
Betting Tip: Raiders -3.5 @ $1.90 (Unibet)
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Dragons v WarriorsSunday, April 18, 2:00pm AEST |
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St George produced a brutally physical performance against Parramatta in a highly impressive win that has surprised both fans and critics alike. The joint-venture club will now look to an understrength Warriors squad dealing with a mounting injury toll after disappointing narrow loss to Manly in their last game.
Mid-season signing Josh McGuire was included in the Dragons’ reserves and could yet be a late inclusion to an unchanged squad. For the Warriors, Peta Hiku will replace the injured David Fusitu’a on the wing as Josh Curran replaces Eliesa Katoa in the second-row in Nathan Brown’s only changes.
St George brought a renewed physicality and aggression against the Eels that has not been seen in their squad for some time, and the Warriors will be on high-alert given their injury woes through the middle and the line-speed the Dragons displayed to devastating effect last week. Expect the game to be won or lost through the middle with St George to get the win.
Betting Tip: Dragons -5.5 @ $1.87 (Bet365)
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Cowboys v BulldogsSunday, April 18, 4:05pm AEST |
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North Queensland produced a vital morale-boosting victory over a disappointing Tigers outfit this week and will be looking to build their confidence and combinations against the struggling Bulldogs. Canterbury were on the receiving end of a poor 52-18 loss to the Storm last week as new coach Trent Barrett grappling to extract improved form from his squad.
Cowboys captain Jason Taumalolo will return at lock in a welcome boost for the Cowboys, particularly with the departure of Josh McGuire and an injury to Reuben Cotter. They will also be missing boom rookie Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with veteran Justin O’Neill recalled to the squad at centre in an otherwise unchanged squad. For the Bulldogs, Josh Jackson will be absent with injury in a big blow as Luke Thompson joins the squad at lock. Chris Smith has also been included on the bench in Trent Barrett’s only changes.
The silver lining for the Cowboys poor form this season has been the promising rookies making their way into first grade this season. Coach Todd Payten will be looking to develop his young charges and the Bulldogs present a wonderful opportunity for his struggling team to build their confidence. Expect Canterbury to struggle in the absence of Josh Jackson, with coach Trent Barrett having much work to do to turn his club’s fortunes around. Cowboys to get the points.
Betting Tip: Cowboys -6.5 @ $1.95 (Unibet)
Best Bets
Titans -6.5 @ $1.91 (Winnersbet)
Cowboys -6.5 @ $1.95 (Unibet)