2015 NRL - Round 2 Preview and Betting Tips
The first round is over and there were a few surprises. Parramatta showed they moved on from Jarryd Hayne during the offseason as they produced one of their best performances in years, as they ran away from Manly in the second half. The Roosters showed their class as they outperformed fellow premiership contenders the Cowboys and the Raiders defeated the Sharks. Continue reading to see the preview and predictions for Round 2 of the NRL season!
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Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels (Friday 7.35pm AEDT)
These two sides had two different starts to the season, the Eels upset the Sea Eagles and the Bulldogs lost an uninspiring match to the Panthers. The Eels looked the goods last week, they got off to an early start before Manly fought back and took the lead which normally signals the end for Parramatta but the Eels fought back just before halftime and came out in the second half as a much better side than their opponents as they swept Manly off the ground. The Bulldogs weren’t in the match until the final 20 mins of the match. They fought back and made the score line look respectable. I expect a much different Bulldogs side this week with their forwards switching on, however, unfortunately for them they will be without five-eighth Josh Reynolds and the Eels forward pack is just as intimidating. The Eels will also have the benefit of a full weeks rest whilst the Bulldogs will have a short turnaround after playing on Sunday afternoon.
TIP: Eels @ $2.35 with Luxbet
Cronulla Sharks vs Brisbane Broncos (Friday 8.35pm AEDT)
The Sharks and Broncos both had disappointing performances in losses. Brisbane were smashed by the Rabbitohs and the Raiders were too good for the Sharks. If the Broncos are to lose again, the pressure will begin to mount on the side that is expected to return to the finals this year with new signings and the return of super Coach Wayne Bennett. The Sharks forward pack will need to out muscle the Broncos and make some room for Ben Barba to work his magic and get the back line involved. This one is hard to pick but I think the Broncos will bounce back from last week’s disappointing performance.
TIP: Broncos @ $1.92 with Sportsbet
Penrith Panthers vs Gold Coast Titans (Saturday 4.30pm AEDT)
This match will be played at Carrington Park in Bathurst as part of the Panthers five-year deal to introduce the NRL to the Central West. The drug scandal still surrounds the Titans camp and they are still without star players Greg Bird and Dave Taylor but they have received some great news for the future with Daly Cherry-Evans announcing he has signed a four-year $4 million deal with the club. However, the Panthers are out to prove that making the Preliminary final last year was no fluke and I can’t see the Titans standing a chance against the Penrith outfit.
TIP: No Bet
Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm (Saturday 7pm AEDT)
These two fierce rivals are in similar positions. Having somewhat dominated the NRL for the past decade they have both been written off by many experts that they are no longer finals contenders. Melbourne were able to get a hard fought win in Round 1 but Manly were humiliated in Parramatta. The two meetings last season ended in two close victories for the Victorians and I expect another close match ending in a Melbourne win this Saturday. Manly are in disarray with the club losing both of their international halves this week. They are both still at the club but with the talk of Cherry-Evans being sent north early and Foran on the sidelines for the next six weeks, Manly will be hoping for a miracle.
TIP: Storm 1-12 @ $3.05 with Palmerbet
North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights (Saturday 9pm AEDT)
The Knights head to Townsville full of confidence after a come-from-behind victory against the Warriors, whilst the Cowboys will be disappointed in their performance to start the season. They were favourites against the Roosters and they were blown off the park on their home ground that has become a fortress in recent years. The Cowboys are clear favourites in this one to bounce back. Their forwards will need to be up for the challenge, as last week they didn’t live up to their name. The likes of Matt Scott, Ben Hannant, Jason Tuamalolo and James Tamou should be able to out muscle most sides. They will need to get onto the front foot this week to make more space for Johnathan Thurston to control the game. Kurt Gidley returns to the line-up pushing Sione Mata’utia to 18th man and this should give the side a boost.
TIP: Knights +8 @ $1.92 with Palmerbet
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters (Sunday 4pm AEDT)
These two sides will go at it for the 211th time on Sunday, the rematch of the Preliminary final will be arguably the match of the round and could become one of the games of the season with both sides in scintillating form. The Rabbitohs made easy work of the Broncos last week at Suncorp stadium and the Roosters had an even more impressive victory as they overcame the Cowboys in Townsville. This one could go either way but the Rabbitohs are playing at such high level that you can’t back against them.
TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12 @ $2.88 with Sportsbet
Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors (Sunday 6.30pm AEDT)
The Raiders and Warriors had opposing starts the season. The Raiders won in Cronulla and the Warriors lost in Newcastle. The Warriors didn’t turn up in the second half in Newcastle. They didn’t have the killer instinct and didn’t look threatening even when the Knights went down to 12 men for ten minutes. Ben Henry moves out of the centres and Sam Tomkins returns to fullback which should relieve some pressure off of Shaun Johnson who had a disappointing game in round 1. The Raiders shocked the Sharks and have a much better record at home against the Warriors winning 10 of 12 meetings at GIO Stadium. However, the last meeting there the Warriors won their first match since 1997 at the stadium and it was very convincing as they won 54-18. The Warriors will be looking to bounce back and get their first win of the season.
TIP: Warriors -2 @ $1.92 with Luxbet
Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons (Monday 7pm AEDT)
The Wests Tigers weren’t impressive in their victory against the Titans. They did manage to come through when it mattered at the end of the match with a last second field goal to stop the game from entering extra time. The Dragons weren’t very good themselves as they didn’t look very dangerous, however with Josh Dugan and Benji Marshall escaping serious injury and still in the line up this week, it gives them a massive boost. The inexperienced Tigers have a lot of potential, however I think the Dragons will be too good for them, with Widdop and Marshall steering them around the park.
TIP: Dragons @ $2.50 with Ladbrokes
