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NRL Preview and Tips - Round 4
Written by: Matt Bungard, Paul Jobber, and Vlado MazevskiApr 2, 2009 2:30pm
Brisbane Broncos V St George Illawarra Dragons Friday 3 April 2009 18:35 [AEST] - Suncorp Stadium Referees: Shayne Hayne & Matt Cecchin Sideline Officials: Paul Holland & Gavin Reynolds Video Referee: Steve Clark BRONCOS: 1. Karmichael Hunt 2. Antonio Winterstein 3. Steve Michaels 4. Justin Hodges 5. Israel Folau 6. Darren Lockyer (c) 7. Peter Wallace 8. Nick Kenny 9. Aaron Gorrell 10. Joel Clinton 11. Sam Thaiday 12. Ben Te’o 13. Corey Parker Interchange: 14. Andrew McCullough 15. David Taylor 16. Lagi Setu 17. Alex Glenn; Reserves: 18. Ashton Sims 19. Josh McGuire DRAGONS: 1. Ben Hornby (c) 2. Brett Morris 3. Beau Scott 4. Darius Boyd 5. Wendell Sailor 6. Jamie Soward 7. Mathew Head 8. Jarrod Saffy 9. Dean Young 10. Michael Weyman 11. Matt Prior 12. Ben Creagh 13. Jeremy Smith Interchange: 14. Dan Hunt 15. Neville Costigan 16. Luke Priddis 17. Trent Merrin; Reserves: 18. Nick Emmett The return of Wayne Bennett to Brisbane will be in everyone's minds in the lead-up to this Friday, and the sense of reunion will be running throughout the St. George team, with 5 former Broncos in the 18 man squad. The Broncos have looked unstoppable few the first couple of rounds, but the Dragons possess the best defence in the NRL. With St George refusing to concede points, and Brisbane, whilst winning all three games, failing to really light up the scoreboard, all signs point to a low scoring and defensively-minded encounter. For the viewer's sake, I hope I'm wrong. MB Matt - Broncos by 7 Paul - Broncos by 4 Vlado - Broncos by 2
Sydney Roosters V Parramatta Eels Friday 3 April 2009 19:35 [AEDT] - Sydney Football Stadium Referees: Tony Archer & Steve Lyons Sideline Officials: Steve Chiddy & David Abood Video Referee: Tim Mander ROOSTERS: 1. Sam Perrett 2. Sonny Tuigmala 3. Mitchell Aubusson 4. Iosia Soliola 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Braith Anasta 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Mark O'Meley 9. James Aubusson 10. Frank-Paul Nuuausala 11. Shane Shackleton 12. Craig Fitzgibbon 13. Setaimata Sa Interchange: 14. Lopini Paea 15. Martin Kennedy 16. Ben Jones 17. Jake Friend; Reserves: 18. Sisa Waqa EELS: 1. Luke Burt 2. Joel Reddy 3. Ben Smith 4. Krisnan Inu 5. Eric Grothe 6. Jarryd Hayne 7. Brett Finch 8. Nathan Cayless 9. Matthew Keating 10. Fuifui Moimoi 11. Nathan Hindmarsh 12. Weller Huaraki 13. Feleti Mateo Interchange: 14. Kris Keating 15. Joe Galuvao 16. Tim Mannah 17. Broderick Wright 18. Todd Lowrie Fans calling for Fittler's head and a team that simply isn't functioning at the moment, the Roosters are in disarray and face a Parramatta team filled with confidence after two straight victories. Rookie winger Sonny Tuigamala will have his hands full with a red hot Eric Grothe, who appears to be approaching career best form. The experiment of Jarryd Hayne in the halves seems to be gradually becoming stronger, and the forward pack led by Nathan Hindmarsh are working very well as a defensive unit. The Roosters will need to bring their A game if they want to get close in this one. An uninspiring line-up, and despite only scoring a total of 50 points in their first three games, the Eels may come close to doubling it on Friday night. MB Matt - Eels by 24 Paul - Eels by 10 Vlado - Eels by 1
Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers Saturday 4th April - 5.30pm [AEDST] - CUA Stadium, Penrith Referees: Ben Cummins & Phil Haines Sideline Officials: Adam Reid & Peter Kirby Video Referee: Russell Smith PANTHERS: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Michael Gordon 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Tighe 5. Shane Elford 6. Wade Graham 7. Jarrod Sammut 8. Matthew Bell 9. Paul Aiton 10. Petero Civoniceva 11. Trent Waterhouse 12. Nathan Smith 13. Luke Lewis Interchange: 14. Masada Iosefa 15. Frank Pritchard 16. Frank Puletua 17. Gavin Cooper; Reserves: 18. Tim Grant 19. Adam Woolnough 20. Joseph Paulo 21. Maurice Blair TIGERS: 1. Tim Moltzen 2. Taniela Tuiaki 3. Dean Collis 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Beau Ryan 6. John Morris 7. Benji Marshall 8. Keith Galloway 9. Robbie Farah 10. Bryce Gibbs 11. Gareth Ellis 12. Chris Heighington 13. Todd Payten Interchange: 14. Corey Payne 15. Rocky Trimarchi 16. Rhys Hanbury 17. Danny Galea; Reserves: 18. Dene Halatau A shortened version of Super Saturday kicks off at the foot of the mountains with the Panthers up against the Tigers. The Panthers were courageous in slippery conditions, outlasting the Eagles 12-10 last week, while the Tigers outscored the Roosters 30-6 in the second half before registering a 40-24 victory. Many experts tipped both sides to finish towards the bottom, but recent form would suggest otherwise. The Panthers home record over the last 18 months to two years has been somewhat diabolical and they will need to improve that vastly to be a hope of making the eight. A similar defensive effort will be required by the Panthers to last week, but the short turnaround is likely to cost them here. The Tigers on the other hand have had a 72 hour head-start and should keep the Monday Night “curse” going for at least another week. PJ Matt - Panthers by 12 Paul - Tigers by 8 Vlado - Tigers by 6
Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans Saturday 4th April - 7.30pm [AEST] - Olympic Park Referees: Ashley Klein & Brett Suttor Sideline Officials: Daniel Eastwood & Russell Turner Video Referee: Sean Hampstead STORM: 1. Billy Slater 2. Steve Turner 3. Will Chambers 4. Willie Isa 5. Anthony Quinn 6. Greg Inglis 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jeff Lima 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Adam Blair 11. Wairangi Koopu 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Dallas Johnson Interchange: 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Kevin Proctor 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Scott Anderson; Reserves: 18. Joseph Tomane 19. Matt Cross TITANS: 1. William Zillman 2. Kevin Gordon 3. Esi Tonga 4. Brett Delaney 5. Chris Walker 6. Mat Rogers 7. Preston Campbell 8. Luke Bailey (c) 9. Nathan Friend 10. Michael Henderson 11. Anthony Laffranchi 12. Mark Minichiello 13. Ashley Harrison Interchange: 14. Matt White 15. Brad Meyers 16. Luke O'Dwyer 17. Josh Graham; Reserves: 18. Aaron Cannings The Titans travel south to take on the Storm without Scott Prince and prior to last week, would have been given no chance of victory. But rugby league is a funny game and the Titans showed the Bulldogs last week that they are definitely no one man team – at home at least. The jury still remains out on the consistency of the Titans without their star halfback though. On the other hand, the Storm were back to somewhat of their clinical best in easing past the Cowboys 26-12 in Townsville last week. After a difficult first few rounds, the Storm have shown in the last fortnight they’re beginning to warm to the task for 2009. In Melbourne, where the Storm are almost unbeatable at night, it’s difficult to see the Titans getting close. PJ Matt - Storm by 10 Paul - Storm by 18 Vlado - Storm by 14
New Zealand Warriors V South Sydney Rabbitohs Sunday 5 April 2009 14:00 [NZT], 12:00 [AEST] - Mt Smart Stadium Referees: Tony De Las Heras & Gavin Badger Sideline Officials: Adam Devcich & Steve Carrall Video Referee: Chris Ward WARRIORS: 1. Wade McKinnon 2. Denan Kemp 3. Patrick Ah Van 4. Jerome Ropati 5. Aidan Kirk 6. Joel Moon 7. Stacey Jones 8. Sam Rapira 9. Ian Henderson 15. Russell Parker 11. Simon Mannering 12. Jacob Lillyman 13. Micheal Luck (c) Interchange: 14. Nathan Fien 16. Jesse Royal 17. Ukuma Ta’ai 18. Lewis Brown 19. Daniel O’Regan (one to be omitted). RABBITOHS: 1. Rhys Wesser 2. Nathan Merritt 3. Colin Best 4. Shaune Corrigan 5. Fetuli Talanoa 6. John Sutton 7. Chris Sandow 8. Luke Stuart 9. Issac Luke 10. Roy Asotasi (c) 11. Ben Lowe 12. Shannan McPherson 13. David Fa'alogo Interchange: 14. Craig Wing 15. Eddy Pettybourne 16. Jaiman Lowe 17. David Kidwell The South Sydney Rabbitohs head across the Tasman after a strong performance last weekend against the Newcastle Knights. The Bunnies will welcome back veteran fullback Rhys Wesser and try scoring ace Nathan Merritt from injury and suspension respectively, to bolster their backline. Craig Wing also returned for the Rabbitohs last weekend and put in an impressive performance first up, scoring a double and imploring coach Jason Taylor to play him for longer minutes with his performance. The Warriors were comprehensively beaten last weekend against competition favourites Brisbane. But it was the injuries coming out of the game that were of most concern. Star centre Brent Tate ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament and is out for the season whilst skipper Steve Price will also miss the match with a throat concern. The little general Stacey Jones will this week start the match and give his side direction with Nathan Fien reverting back to the bench as the utility. Both sides are very adept in the offloading department and the increased second phase play will make for entertaining viewing. VM Matt - Warriors by 12 Paul - Warriors by 12 Vlado - Warriors by 4
Canterbury Bulldogs V Cronulla Sharks Sunday 5 April 2009 14:00 [AEST] - ANZ Stadium Referees: Jason Robinson & Gerard Sutton Sideline Officials: Rick McFarlane & Mohamad Fajajo Video Referee: Phil Cooley BULLDOGS: 1. Luke Patten 2. Hazem El Masri 3. Josh Morris 18. Daryl Millard 5. Bryson Goodwin 6. Ben Roberts 7. Brett Kimmorley 8. Ben Hannant 9. Michael Ennis 10. Michael Hodgson 11. Gary Warburton 12. Andrew Ryan 13. David Stagg Interchange: 14. Chris Armit 15. Greg Eastwood 16. John Kite 17. Yileen Gordon; Reserves: 19. Matt Utai SHARKS: 1. Mitch Brown 2. Misi Taulapapa 3. Ben Pomeroy 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Luke Covell 6. Trent Barrett 7. Brett Seymour 8. Kade Snowden 9. Corey Hughes 10. Luke Douglas 11. Reece Williams 12. Anthony Tupou 13. Paul Gallen (c) Interchange: 14. Reni Maitua 15. Jack Afamasaga 16. Bryan Norrie 17. Tony Caine The Bulldogs had a disappointing performance last weekend against a Prince-less Titans outfit and will be out to make up for that game in front of their home fans. Their cause has not been helped with three of their players involved in an incident last weekend which ultimately culminated in their demotions. Jamaal Idris, Ben Barba and Lee Te Maari have all been left out of this week’s team for disciplinary reasons. On the field, prop Ben Hannant continues to impress with sizable numbers in tackles and hit ups. The Sharks lost a grinding local derby last weekend against the Dragons played in difficult conditions. High work rates from both sides coupled with hot weather could see the Sharks come out flat against the Bulldogs. Injuries have so far cruelled the Sharks in 09 with Brett Kearney and Ben Ross gone for the season, and star signing Trent Barrett highly unlikely to play after his neck injury last weekend. The Sharks do welcome back Brett Seymour after he completed his two week suspension for disciplinary reasons along with winger Misi Taulapapa. The formidable Sharks backrow will need to be at their best in order to give the boys from the shire every chance of beating the Bulldogs. VM Matt - Sharks by 4 Paul - Bulldogs by 2 Vlado - Sharks by 6
Newcastle Knights V Manly Sea Eagles Sunday 5 April 2009 15:00 [AEST] - Energy Australia Stadium Referees: Jared Maxwell & Alan Shortall Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis & David Abood Video Referee: Paul Simpkins KNIGHTS: 1. Kurt Gidley (c) 2. James McManus 3. Junior Sau 4. Adam MacDougall 5. Akuila Uate 6. Ben Rogers 7. Scott Dureau 8. Mark Taufua 9. Isaac De Gois 10. Ben Cross 11. Chris Houston 12. Zeb Taia 13. Matt Hilder Interchange: 14. George Ndaira 15. Marvin Karawana 16. Richard Fa’aoso 17. Danny Wicks SEA EAGLES: 1. Michael Robertson 2. Michael Bani 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. Shane Neumann 6. Chris Bailey 7. Matt Orford (c) 8. Brent Kite 9. Matt Ballin 10. Josh Perry 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Glenn Hall 13. Glenn Stewart Interchange: 14. Heath L'Estrange 15. Jason King 16. Adam Cuthbertson 17. George Rose; Reserves: 18. Shane Rodney The Newcastle Knights came firing out of the blocks last weekend but couldn’t hold out a determined Rabbitohs team inspired by Craig Wing. The short turnaround after playing on Monday Night Football the previous week certainly didn’t help the Knights as they struggled to contain the Rabbitohs’ little men around the rucks. Akuila Uate is starting to live up to the star billing producing a staggering 234 in metres gained last weekend against the Rabbitohs. The Knights have already had their fair share of injuries and missing stars of the calibre of Simpson, Naiqama, Mullen, Vuna and others will not help their cause against a desperate Sea Eagles outfit that remains winless. The expectations on the Sea Eagles last week were nothing short of a win but no-one told a resolute Panthers side who prevailed in tough conditions. As such, the team that was everyone’s competition favourites at the start of the year come into round 4 without registering a win and with an acute desire to remind all oppositions of what they are capable of. However, they will have to do it without productive centre Jamie Lyon who will only miss a week or two with a knee injury. He has been named this week but is doubtful of playing. VM Matt - Sea Eagles by 8 Paul - Knights by 1 Vlado - Sea Eagles by 8
Canberra Raiders V North QLD Cowboys Monday 30 March 2009 19:00 [AEST] - Canberra Stadium Referees: Tony Archer & Steve Lyons Sideline Officials: Steve Chiddy & Paul Holland Video Referee: Bill Harrigan RAIDERS: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Adrian Purtell 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joel Monaghan 5. Justin Carney 6. Terry Campese 7. Marc Herbert 8. David Shillington 9. Stuart Flanagan 10. Josh Miller 11. Joe Picker 12. Bronson Harrison 13. Alan Tongue (c) Interchange: 14. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 15. Trevor Thurling 16. Glen Turner 17. Nigel Plum; Reserves; 18. Travis Waddell COWBOYS: 1. Matt Bowen 2. John Williams 3. Ashley Graham 4. Ty Williams 5. Ben Farrar 6. Travis Burns 7. Johnathan Thurston (c) 8. Shane Tronc 9. Aaron Payne 10. Antonio Kaufusi 11. Carl Webb 12. Ben Harris 13. Luke O'Donnell Interchange: 14. Clint Amos 15. Scott Bolton 16. Matt Scott 17. Manase Manuokafoa; Reserves: 18. Steve Rapira A Canberra team that can't win at the moment, taking on a Cowboys team who has outscored 13 teams this season, but only won a single match. That said, apart from the debacle against the Roosters, the Raiders home record recently has been incredibly strong. Strangely, Canberra have had enough possession and chances to win all of their first three matches, and if they can convert their opportunities in this one they're a strong chance of winning. If not, zero and four beckons for the Green Machine. North Queensland have been leaking and scoring points with ease, so look for a high-scoring shootout here - should be an entertaining way to wrap up round 4. MB Matt - Cowboys by 4 Paul - Cowboys by 6 Vlado - Raiders by 12
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