The following are previews with betting tips for Round 13 of the 2023 NRL season. Best bets for the round are also provided.
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Dolphins v DragonsThursday, May 25, 7:50pm AEST |
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The Dolphins were courageous in defeat at the hands of an in-form Melbourne Storm outfit and on the eve of Origin, Wayne Bennett’s troops face a big test against a Dragons outfit who responded in the best of ways to former coach Anthony Griffin’s departure. St George produced a miraculous comeback win, scoring in the dying stages of play for an impressive two-point victory over the Roosters.
The Origin period shapes as a big test for the Dolphins’ depth, with Felise Kaufusi suspended and Hamsio Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert heading into Maroons camp. Kodi Nikorima will shift to fullback with Anthony Milford and Ray Stone coming in at five-eighth. Kenny Bromwich and Ray Stone will move to the second-row and lock respectively, with Mark Nicholls, Mason Teague and Valynce Te Whare the new faces on the interchange. Meanwhile, St George will only miss Ben Hunt to Origin, with Jayden Sullivan shifting to halfback. Jack Bird and Michael Molo will both return at second-row and prop in an otherwise unchanged squad.
The Dragons showed plenty of character last week to produce an upset over the Roosters, but they will face a much sterner test against a team that pushed Melbourne hard. Both teams will be disrupted, missing some key players to the Origin series, but the composure and class that has seen the Dolphins rise to sixth on the competition ladder should prove the difference.
Betting Tip: Dolphins -5.5 @ $1.90 (Colossalbet)
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Eels v CowboysFriday, May 26, 8pm AEST |
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The Eels came up with a massive statement against the Rabbitohs last week, knocking Souths from their perch as competition leaders in an emphatic 20-point win to keep the struggling club in touch with the top-eight. They will face a Cowboys outfit humbled by a horror 66-18 slaughter at the hands of a resurgent Tigers and with a heavy representative toll, Todd Payten’s troops face a very tough Origin period.
Parramatta will only be missing Junior Paulo to Origin with mid-season Tigers import Joe Ofahengaue coming straight into the front-row for his new club. Injuries to Ryan Matterson and Andrew Davey will see Matt Doorey join the second-row with Luca Moretti set to make his NRL debut from the bench. Meanwhile, North Queensland will be missing Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden to Origin. Zac Laybutt and Robert Derby have been named for their NRL debut at centre and wing respectively. Ben Hampton is the new five-eighth and Griffin Neame will make an early injury return in a massive boost for Todd Payten’s middle-rotation. Captain Jason Taumalolo is also a chance to return from injury after he was included in the reserves in what would be a huge boost for his club.
Given their poor form and massive representative toll, Parramatta will enter this match as firm favourites. The Queenslanders will need a huge turnaround from last week to produce an upset in this game. With the Origin period presenting a desperate Eels outfit the opportunity to climb the competition ladder after a poor start to the year, expect the highly-motivated Parramatta squad to get the points.
Betting Tip: Eels -14.5 @ $1.90 (BlueBet)
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Warriors v BroncosSaturday, May 27, 5:30pm AEST |
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Brisbane were courageous in defeat at the hands of the reigning premiers last week with a number of controversial calls marring an otherwise high-quality contest. The Queensland club face a massive test against an in-form Warriors outfit fresh off a bye on their home-ground in New Zealand. The Kiwis were solid in their last start victory over Canterbury and with no Origin representation, Andrew Webster will be gearing his squad up for a hugely important few months of football.
Brisbane will be missing Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas and Tom Flegler to Origin duties. Adam Reynolds will return from concussion in a timely boost as Corey Jensen, Kobe Hetherington and Keenan Palasia make up the starting middle-forwards. Tristain Sailor will get the nod at fullback after some wonderful form in reserve grade, with boom rookie Deine Mariner also joining the wing.
Exciting rookies Xavier Willison and Brendan Piakura will play off the bench in a new-look Brisbane outfit.
Despite their huge representative toll, the Broncos will enter this match as favourites but should be highly cautious against a Warriors outfit primed for a huge Origin period. A promising start to the year has seen the Warriors rise to seventh on the competition ladder and Andrew Webster’s troops will be keen to showcase their newfound defensive resolve against this under-strength fourth-placed Brisbane squad. Warriors to get the points.
Betting Tip: Warriors -7.5 @ $1.85 (Playup)
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Rabbitohs v RaidersSaturday, May 27, 7:35pm AEST |
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Souths will be missing Latrell Mitchell, Jai Arrow and Cameron Murray after Campbell Graham withdrew from NSW camp and is set to play pending a fitness test. Blake Taafe will come in at fullback with Shaquai Mitchell, Jed Cartwright and Tallis Duncan joining the bench. Keaon Koloamatangi is also a chance of returning from injury after the star second-rower was included in the reserves. Hudson Young will be Canberra’s only Origin casualty with Corey Harawira-Naera coming in at second-row as Zac Woolford and Nic Cotric also join the squad at hooker and bench respectively in their return from injury.
Given both clubs had a long winning streak snapped by a big loss, expect a big response from each team for an intense physical contest. Canberra will deploy their trademark physicality against a Rabbitohs pack weakened by the absence of workhorses in Jai Arrow and Cam Murray, but the playmaking class and composure of the Rabbitohs spine should give them the edge. Rabbitohs to get the win.
Betting Tip: Rabbitohs -2.5 @ $1.93 (BoomBet)
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Knights v Sea EaglesSunday, May 28, 4:05pm AEST |
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With Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic missing to Origin duties and Ben and Jake Trbojevic injured, Manly have named Cooper Johns to return in the halves but mid-season Eels import Jake Arthur could be a late call-up after he was included in the reserves. Kaeo Weekes will come into the fullback role with Toafofoa Sipley and Christian Tuipulotu joining the squad at prop and interchange respectively. Meanwhile, Newcastle’s only Origin absence will be Tyson Frizell with Jack Johns coming into the second-row as cover. Kalyn Ponga’s stint in the halves looks to be over with the star reverting to fullback and Tyson Gamble promoted to five-eighth.
Expect a more cohesive Newcastle squad with Ponga returning to his preferred position. Manly’s injuries and Origin losses look set to impact the club hugely through the representative period but coach Anthony Seibold will be hoping his club can emulate the intensity of last week’s performance that saw them soundly beat the Raiders. This match could go either way but expect Newcastle to get the points.
Betting Tip: Sea Eagles + 9.5 @ $1.95 (BoomBet)
Best Bet
Sea Eagles + 9.5 @ $1.95 (BoomBet)