There are only four more Super Saturdays for fans to enjoy. Featuring four top 8 teams today will go a long way to lifting the quality of these fixtures, but it also provides a great opportunity to find a winner. This NRL Betting Preview is here to guide you along the way.
The first match is undoubtedly the match of the round with the 8th placed Roosters up against the 2nd placed Cowboys at the SCG. Many have doubted the Cowboys in their past few matches, and they face a tough test against a resurgent Roosters team. The NRL is heading to the bush for the second match as the Tigers host the Sharks in Tamworth. Expected to be a one-sided encounter, you never know what a trip to the country music capital of Australia will do to a team. Then it’s off to Brisbane with the Broncos facing the Knights at an opportune time. In need of a victory, the Broncos may find it a tough contest with the Knights coming off a Round 21 victory. Let’s get into the action!
NRL Round 22 Saturday Betting Tips
Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys
Sydney Cricket Ground, Saturday 13th August, 3pm (AEST)
Squads
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Drew Hutchinson 17. Terrell May 18. Adam Keighran
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 3. Valentine Holmes 5. Peta Hiku 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsed 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo Interchange: 14. Jordan McLean 15. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 16. Luciano Leilua 17. Griffin Neame 18. Brendan Elliot
Match Preview
The shift in the Roosters form has not gone unnoticed. With players returning from injury (and finding form), they are a new team and were strong in their 34-16 victory over the Broncos. Despite some poor execution in the second half, the Roosters defence was strong and gave few opportunities to their opponents. Beware though; they are yet to defeat a quality opponent and their improvement in form has coincided with facing lesser (or out of form) teams.
The Cowboys are on a three-game winning streak but haven’t appeared close to the same side which was measured on both sides of the ball from earlier in the season. Their 28-14 victory over the Bulldogs was a win but left many unsatisfied with their efforts. Regardless, you cannot knock winning form. On that, they should be good enough to win this match.
Despite having a strong away record (8-2), the Roosters are listed as favourites ($1.60 vs $2.35) with a 6-3 home record. As mentioned earlier, their form has been dynamic, but the odds suggest it’s overstated. The line is tempting and safer than the head-to-head market (which is why it’s the way to go) but if you like the Cowboys, there is no reason for you to jump off them.
Same Game Multi = Cowboys, Cowboys 1-12, Total Points Over 46.5 @ $7.50 (1 Unit)
Prop: Suaalii & Nanai to Score @ $4.10 (1 Unit)
Cowboys -3.5
$1.95 (2 Units)
Wests Tigers vs Cronulla Sharks
Scully Park, Saturday 13th August, 5:30pm (AEST)
Squads
Wests Tigers
1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. James Roberts 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Starford To’a 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Jock Madden 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Joe Ofahengaue Interchange: 14. Fonua Pole 15. Austin Dias 16. Tom Freebairn 17. Tyrone Peachey 18. Luke Garner
Cronulla Sharks
1. Kade Dykes 2. Lachlan Miller 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicholas Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikore 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane Interchange: 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Kayal Iro
Match Preview
After two strong performances, the Tigers turned in a ‘2022 Tigers performance’ and were upset by the struggling Knights 14-10. The loss of key players hasn’t helped their cause, but they were poor in their execution but allowed a worse team the opportunity to take advantage of them. They will be trying to finish the year on a positive but face a tough task against the Sharks.
The visitors are coming off a grinding 24-18 victory over the Dragons. After two tough performances against the Panthers and Rabbitohs, a dip in performance was expected. The Sharks proved their quality though and were able to capture victory. Perhaps their dip comes this week against a lesser opponent but that would be surprising to see.
The odds ($1.20 vs $4.50) suggest it will be a one-sided affair and there is little to suggest otherwise. Not only will the Sharks cover the line, but they will also win this game comfortably to keep the pressure on the two sides above them on the ladder.
Prop: Shark 19+, Ramien & Mulitalo to score @ $5.50 (2 Units)
Shark -13.5
$1.90 (4 Units)
Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights
Suncorp Stadium, Saturday 13th August, 7:35pm (AEST)
Squads
Brisbane Broncos
1. Te Maire Martin 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Brenko Lee 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington Interchange: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Corey Jensen 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Cory Paix
Newcastle Knights
1. Tex Hoy 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Mat Croker Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Simi Sasagi 18. Jack Johns
Match Preview
The form from each team last week doesn’t reflect their standing on the ladder. The Broncos were outplayed over 80 minutes by the Roosters, defeated 34-16. They failed to capitalise on the host of second half chances and appeared flat. The loss of Carrigan in the middle appears to have impacted them more than was expected.
The Knights restored some pride in their club with a 14-10 victory over the Tigers. Still with a long way to go, they can be proud of their efforts. Unfortunately, it has done little to change opinions of how this match will play out with the odds ($1.11 vs $6.50) heavily favoured towards the Broncos. Sure, the form line for this match runs through the Tigers (Broncos defeated 32-18 in Round 20) but returning home and a desire to halt a slide down the competition ladder should spur the Broncos onto victory here. It not, they are not the same team that was performing well earlier in the season and will struggle in the Finals. The line (18.5 points) doesn’t provide confidence and for that reason, stick safe with a victory beyond 2 converted tries.
Props: Broncos 13-18 @ $5.50 (1.5 Units)
Oates & Staggs to score @ 3.30 (2 Units)
Broncos 13+
$1.46 (3.5 Units)
