NRL Super Saturday delivers another exciting set of matches. Make sure you’re following Before You Bet across all matches every weekend in the NRL as we break down each match and assist with understanding how each game will play out.
The first match see’s the Warriors hosting the Knights. Both teams are placed at the bottom end of the ladder and will be desperate to return to winning form. Then it is down to Sydney as the Rabbitohs seek revenge against the Tigers for their defeat earlier this year. Again, both teams are eager to gain some winning momentum, but mistakes are currently letting them down. The night finishes with the 4th placed Sharks up against the 7th placed Roosters. Both sides are quietly building into their campaign but will want to make a statement with a win here. Bring on an exciting night of NRL action.
NRL Round 12 Saturday Betting Tips
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights
Moreton Daily Stadium, Saturday 28th May, 3pm (EST)
Squads
New Zealand Warriors
1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Ben Murdoch-Masila 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Jazz Tevaga 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jack Murchie Interchange: 14. Taniela Otukolo 15. Aaron Pene 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Eliesa Katoa 18. Jesse Arthars
Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Jake Clifford 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mitchell Barnett Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Leo Thompson 17. Mat Croker 18. Simi Sasagi
Match Preview
How can you invest on this game with any confidence? The Warriors have been improving in recent weeks, narrowly going down to the Rabbitohs and Dragons when victory seemed possible. Last week, they failed to perform in the second half and were defeated 24-18. The Knights had difficult time also, hammered 36-12 by the Broncos at home. They too showed moments of promise but collapsed under the relentless pressure from their opponents.
One team is 12th on the ladder (Warriors) while the other is 15th (Knights) and the uncertainty over what can be produced is immense. Both have players capable of impacting the result, yet can easily disappear when they are needed most of all. Somehow, the bookies have landed on the Warriors as favourites ($1.77 v $2.05). Perhaps their improved effort against better opponents gives them the edge while the Knights are still struggling to find a structure which works best for them on either side of the ball. Overall, the advice is to stay away from this game. It is an ugly contest.
For the sake of a bet (and only if you are desperate), take this game to be a tight, low scoring contest. If a winner is needed, stick with the Warriors to win 1-12. 3 out of their 4 wins this season have come by 4 points or less. The Knights do concede a lot of points but perhaps the sense that they are a chance in this game may just lift the effort of the team over 80 minutes.
Prop Bets:
Warriors 1-12 ($2.80 at Ladbrokes)
Reece Walsh Anytime Tryscorer ($2.70 at Ladbrokes)
Total Under 38.5
$2.15 (1 Unit)
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers
Accor Stadium, Saturday 28th May, 5:30pm (EST)
Squads
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 Kolomatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Hame Sele Interchange: 14. Liam Knight 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Siliva Havili 17. Kodi Nikorima 18. Josh Mansour
Wests Tigers
1. Daine Laurie 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Starford To’a 4. Brent Naden 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jackson Hastings 8. James Tamou 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue Interchange: 14. Kelma Tuilagi 15. Alex Twal 16. Fa’amanu Brown 17. Stefano Utoikamanu 18. Alex Seyfarth
Match Preview
The Rabbitohs were embarrassed last week by the Raiders 32-12, again let down by their poor completion rate. It has been a source of frustration for them all season and currently is the worst in the competition (average 71%). When they do click, they are a capable team, but they are not the same side they were last season (for obvious reasons). Amid a horror run of injuries, the Tigers carry winning form into this game following a 36-22 victory over the Bulldogs.
As great as that score line reads, the fact they allowed the Bulldogs to score 22 points is concerning. Prior to that match, they averaged just 9.6 points in the opening 10 rounds. The Tigers are boosted by the return of key players, namely Laurie and Brooks, but more will be needed from the supporting players on the team. Opponents are now wary of the influence of Hastings also, so you can expect the Tigers messiah to come under relentless pressure. Still, the Tigers defeated the Rabbitohs 23-22 back in Round 7 and will fancy themselves again here.
The Rabbitohs are far too short ($1.45 v $2.75) given their error rate but, in equal measure, are close to putting it all together and lighting their impressive attacking spark. They will have a difficult time over 80 minutes should their disrespect for the ball continue. With 3 out of their past 4 games averaging over the points line, this should again be a high scoring contest and appears the ideal selection.
Prop Bets:
Rabbitohs 1-12 ($2.70 at Ladbrokes)
Taaffe & Walker Anytime Tryscorers ($7.00 at Ladbrokes)
Total Over 41.5
$1.85 (1.5 Units)
Cronulla Sharks v Sydney Roosters
PointsBet Stadium, Saturday 28th May, 7:35pm (EST)
Squads
Cronulla Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Connor Tracey 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicholas Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes Interchange: 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Braydon Trindall 16. Teig Wilton 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Lachlan Miller
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Drew Hutchinson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Siosiua Taukeiaho Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May 18. Lachlan Lam
Match Preview
Despite missing a few key players, the Sharks did enough to overcome and early deficit and defeat the Titans 25-18 on the road. It wasn’t their best performance of the season, yet their success can be attributed to keeping it simple; they completed well (83%), ran for over 2000m, and averaged over 10m per carry. The Roosters had a much more difficult time against the Panthers in their 32-12 loss. Keeping it tight for the first 30 minutes, the Roosters cracked after that and with just over 20 minutes left in the match, trailed 24-nil.
It was a classy display from their opponents and a reminder of just how far the rest of the competition is from competing with them. The Roosters were let down by their kicking game at the end of sets; usually a strength, the ball wasn’t going where it needed, to build pressure. When it did, their opponents absorbed or were let off by a simple error from the Roosters. The two teams are close in markets ($1.80 v $2), with many giving the visitors a chance based upon the players unavailable for the Sharks. Still, their formula for success has proven capable under pressure but it will need to go to another level if they are to defeat the Roosters.
The visitors are a classy outfit and will be out to prove a point following last weeks loss. Both sides will also be aware of the implications of the impending result. It will be tight and rather invest on the result (of which there is a lean towards the home side), invest around this game being a tight, arm wrestle of a contest.
Prop Bets:
Sharks 1-12 ($2.80 at Ladbrokes)
Mulitalo & Suaalii Anytime Tryscorers ($3.60 at Ladbrokes)
Total Under 40.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
