NRL Super Saturday is at its peak this weekend with NRL Magic Round generating plenty of hype. It is always an exciting night of action, but it amplified with all teams playing out of Suncorp Stadium. After a great weekend of results for punters last week, the boys at Before You Bet will have you covered with NRL Betting Previews for all matches in Magic Round.
The first match has the Warriors up against the Rabbitohs. Both teams are struggling for vastly different reasons and will be desperate for a victory to regain some momentum.
The same can be said for the second match, with the Titans up against the Dragons. The Titans have a lot of talent but are yet to reach their potential while the Dragons offer passages of positive play but are yet to put together a complete 80-minute performance.
To conclude the night, it is a top of the table clash (and potential 2022 NRL Grand Final preview) with the Storm up against the Panthers. These two sides have been the benchmark for the competition so far this year and it promises to be an exciting clash. Let’s get into it.
NRL Round 10 Saturday Betting Tips
New Zealand Warriors vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Suncorp Stadium, Saturday 14th May, 3pm (EST)
Squads
New Zealand Warriors
1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jazz Tevaga Interchange: 14. Aaron Pene 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Jack Murchie 18. Eliesa Katoa
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jaxson Paulo 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Jai Arrow Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Davvy Moale 16. Siliva Havili 17. Liam Knights 18. Peter Mamouzelos
Match Preview
The Warriors were presented with an ideal opportunity against the Sharks last week after they lost Kennedy early (sent off) and had another player sent to the sin bin later (meaning their opponents had only 11 players on the field). Unfortunately, they lacked confidence and it was evident as they were defeated 29-10. They have had some positives this year, but consistency still eludes them.
The Rabbitohs were also unsuccessful last week, upset 32-12 by an understrength Broncos team. They too struggled to establish momentum in their match but they only have themselves to blame; they completed at 71% and committed 17 errors. It has been a theme of their play this year which has limited their performances. Interestingly, these two teams sit 9th (Rabbitohs) and 10th (Warriors) on the ladder.
However, the devil is in the detail with the Warriors trailing care of a -81 points difference compared to the Rabbitohs +19. When needed, the Rabbitohs can score points and in equal measure, defend them too. They are the more capable of the two sides. It is a crucial run of games for them too, with 5 matches (and a bye) against teams currently lower than them on the ladder. They should win majority, if not all matches.
They were dealt a blow during the week with news that captain Cameron Murray will be out for a few weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery. Acquiring Nikorima on Monday (ironically from the Warriors) may cover part of this but he is a big loss. On top of Mitchell’s absence, they are now without two of their star players. Still, their talent and, more importantly, potential across the field should swing this game into their favour. Expected wet conditions may narrow the margin of victory but ultimately, it is their game to lose. Be wary of the injured Warrior though; the last time they suffered a deflating loss, they were victorious the following week (albeit against the Raiders).
Prop Bets
Nikorima 1+ Try ($3.60 at Ladbrokes)
Rabbitohs -6.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Gold Coast Titans vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
Suncorp Stadium, Saturday 14th May, 5:30pm (EST)
Squads
Gold Coast Titans
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Esan Marsters 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Alexander Brimson 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Isaac Liu 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui Interchange 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Sam Lisone 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Sam McIntyre 18. Greg Marzhew
St George-Illawarra Dragons
1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Jack De Belin 11. Jack Bird 12. Josh Maguire 13. Tariq Sims Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Aaron Woods 17. Tyrell Fuimaono 18. George Burgess
Match Preview
It was yet another underwhelming and disappointing display from the Titans in Round 9, as they were defeated 44-16 by the Roosters. They currently sit in 14th position on the ladder with just 2 wins and yet have a talented squad at their disposal. Outclassed by their opponents, they failed to limit their scoring opportunities by missing more tackles (37) and allowed an average of 10.3m per carry; when in possession, they managed just 8.3m per carry.
Something is not right at this club, but punters are wary because if they manage to turn their performances around, they have the potential to defeat most teams on their day. The Dragons were also on the wrong side of the scoreboard and similarly to the Titans, were outclassed in their 42-6 defeat of the Storm. Always an expected outcome, they displayed some resistance in the first half but couldn’t maintain an 80-minute performance.
As for this game, it has been stated week after week that games involving the Titans should be avoided. This game is no different. Rather, invest around the points scored. For what it is worth, there is a slight lean towards the Dragons but that is with little confidence. Tackling is optional for both sides so despite the wet conditions, expect a high score.
Prop Bet
Hunt & Campbell Anytime Tryscorers ($10 at Ladbrokes)
Total Over 38.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers
Suncorp Stadium, Saturday 14th May, 7:45pm (EST)
Squads
Melbourne Storm
1. Nick Meaney 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Josh King Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tyran Wishart 16. Trent Loiero 17. Chris Lewis 18. Cooper Johns
Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Interchange: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings
Match Preview
What a way to end the Saturday at Magic Round?! Unfortunately, this contest has been robbed of some quality with injuries to the Storm pair in Papenhuyzen and Smith. Nevertheless, you can expect both teams to be at their peak. The Storm are coming off another strong display over the Dragons, winning 42-6. They have not scored below 30-points since their loss to the Eels in Round 3 and have been clinical on both sides of the ball.
Courtesy of the Panthers loss last week, they are top of the table. That loss also ended a 21-game winning streak and a recent dominance at Penrith. It was always bound to come to an end but the Eels (yes, they’ve defeated both sides now) disrupted the Panthers to prevail 22-20. There wasn’t too much more that the Panthers could do in defeat, and they should be better served with that loss. With the Storm missing players, the Panthers are favourites; yet, if there is one side that typifies the ‘next man up’ mentality, it is the Storm.
Their big players will be ready to fire but the Panthers will be out to bounce back from their defeat last week. The line appears the ideal selection but there is a slight chance that this margin could be larger than most think. Be cautious though, the Panthers haven’t defeated the Storm by more than 7-points in over 10 years. Then again, this Panthers team is immensely talented and while the Storm are too, their attacking options may be more limit, largely due to the Panthers defensive structure.
Same Game Multi
Panthers 13+/Tago Anytime Try ($6.50 at Ladbrokes)
Panthers -2.5
$1.95 (1 Unit)
