After a blockbuster start to the NRLW season, the action returns this week for yet another exciting round of rugby league. The quality has improved on last season, setting the stage for exciting fixtures each week. The competition appears closer than ever too and with new teams emerging as contenders, pressure is growing on established programs. While only one week has passed, it makes for thrilling viewing. Before You Bet is here to preview the round ahead with the aim of finding you a winner or two to add to your enjoyment.
Check out our preview and NRLW Betting Tips for Round 2 below and good luck to everyone following along!
NRLW Round 2 Preview & Betting Tips
Cronulla Sharks vs Brisbane Broncos
Ocean Protect Park – Thursday 9th July – 7:45pm (AEST)
The Sharks were upset at home last week by the Knights, proving that a stronger team must also execute to a high standard if they are to be competitive. In a tight match, they were their own worst enemy; with only 43% possession they completed at just 62%, while allowing 10.1m per carry and missing 25 tackles. There were no such issues for the Broncos, who powered their way to a 50-4 victory over the Cowboys. Dominant from the opening minute with a try, they were at their brutal best dominating 61% of possession. They made 9.2m per carry, 12 line breaks, and missed just 19 tackles.
The Broncos are overwhelming favourites and rightly so given the respective performances in Round 1 of the competition. The Sharks receive a boost with Penitani Gray returning from injury to take her place at centre. The Broncos are unchanged and have more than just momentum on their side. There is no doubt that they are the superior team. The 15.5 line might not be enough in this contest, but the safer option is to invest on the visitors winning by more than 2 converted tries. Value isn’t high on this option, but it is best to see what is offered in the second week; there were a few shock results last week and one would think the Sharks will be improved on their Round 1 showing.
Broncos 13+
$1.70 (2 units)
North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers
Queensland Country Bank Stadium – Saturday 11th July – 12:15pm (AEST)
The less said about the Cowboys 50-4 road defeat to the Broncos, the better. They were completely outplayed, with just 39% of possession only the start of their issues. They had just 1 line break and missed 39 tackles. It was a performance that should be forgotten if they wish to strive for success. The Tigers caused an upset with a strong 28-16 victory over the Eels. Dominating the first half to lead 22-nil at HT, the Tigers appeared to have turned a corner compared to last season. It was a disciplined performance too with 56% possession and an 81% completion rate allowing them to make 509 PCM’s and 7 line breaks, while their defence was strong, missing just 22 tackles.
The odds on this game have these two sides as even chances of winning. That is probably down to the poor showing of the Cowboys as much as the improved effort of the Tigers. It is best to see what each team produces this week. Confidence is low in both and neither demonstrated consistency last week to suggest they can produce a victory. The task of heading north for the Tigers probably does sway momentum towards the home side. If you must, invest on this game being a close contest, decided by fewer than 2 converted tries.
Either team by 12.5 points
$1.53 (1 unit)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans
Accor Stadium – Saturday 11th July – 3:15pm (AEST)
The Bulldogs were passengers in their 32-10 road loss to the Warriors, only scoring some garbage time tries to open their tally for the season. With almost identical possession and completion rates, the Bulldogs were poor making just 7.5m per carry and missing 30 tackles. The Titans were handed a reminder of how far they must still improve should they wish to compete with the top sides, comprehensively defeated 34-10 by the Roosters at home. They were always going to struggle with just a 54% completion rate, which saw them make just 2 line breaks. They also conceded 8, while missing 30 tackles.
It is interesting that the Bulldogs are large outsiders in this game considering the players absent for the Titans. The Bulldogs have their own issues to contend with too, with Quinlan replacing Mahakitau-Monschau at 5/8. The performance of the Bulldogs was concerning but the Titans were hardly much better. Like several other games this weekend in the NRLW, the best option appears to be to stay away from this game altogether. For the sake of making a call on the match, the Titans still appear strong enough (and are better coached) to cope with what the Bulldogs will throw at them. For finding a winner, invest on this game being a close game, keeping your stake low, if you cannot avoid having a bet.
Either team by 12.5 points or less
$1.85 (1 unit)
Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights
Allianz Stadium – Saturday 11th July – 5:15pm (AEST)
The Roosters quickly found their groove in their commanding 34-10 road victory over the Titans. In a typically strong display, they dominated possession (55%) and made key metres (8.5m per carry) to build pressure on their opponents. Interestingly, they will be the first to say they can improve with their completion rate (73%) and missed tackles (25) good starting points. The Knights were at their clinical best against the Sharks on the road and were rewarded with a 18-4 victory. In a tight match, their discipline with the ball (57% possession & 76% completion rate) was key to their success. So too was their defence, which missed just 17 tackles over the course of 70 minutes.
It appears there is little which can stop the Roosters, but the Knights have the best opportunity at this point. They still have a lot of improvement needed if they are to cause an upset. This is reflected in the price offered, with the Roosters overwhelming favourites. The loss of Roche to suspension is offset by the return of Vette-Welsh but that will only take them so far in this match. They appear overpowered in the middle of the field and their outside backs will find it difficult to stop the speed of the Roosters. Once they get rolling, they should cover the line with momentum counting for a lot in this contest.
Roosters -13.5
$1.90 (2 units)
Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors
GIO Stadium – Sunday 12th July – 12pm (AEST)
It was an upset 20-4 road victory for the Raiders over the Dragons last week, proving that this team is heading in the right direction. With 56% possession they completed at 75%, overcoming an opening minute try to build nicely into the contest. Their defence laid a strong foundation, missing just 17 tackles and allowing just 7.3m per carry. The Warriors were at their dynamic best in their home game against the Bulldogs. Starting strongly with a 10-nil HT lead, the Warriors kicked into another gear that their opponents couldn’t match in the second half. The victory was established with 53% possession, a 79% completion rate, 685 PCM’s, and 7 line breaks. Their power in the middle was evident throughout the entire match.
Another case of two teams that have little between them. Both were good last week in their respective matches but doing it in consecutive weeks is another challenge altogether. Despite the Warriors being listed as favourites, you cannot overlook the performance of the Raiders in Round 1. They were good but what the Warriors produced appears to make them worthy of the favourite tag. Like many other games this weekend though, keep your stake low. Let these teams fight out the contest and gather a better understanding of what they are capable of beyond this week.
Warriors 1-12
$2.70 (1 unit)
St George-Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels
WIN Stadium – Sunday 12th July – 1:45pm (AEST)
Both teams were disappointing last week following defeats as favourites. The 20-4 home loss of the Dragons was due to a significant lack of power in the middle. With just 44% possession, they managed just 7.3m per carry and 2 line breaks, while also missing 30 tackles. The Eels were equally as poor in their 28-16 home loss to the Tigers. The game was all but over at HT as they trailed 22-nil, eventually let down by their 44% of possession, 7.1m per carry, and 44 missed tackles. Both teams need a drastic reversal of form moving forward.
This is an ugly game to select a winner in. Both were poor last week and have been forced into reshuffling their lineup. Consistency still evades them and you’re looking at which team has the greater quality within their lineup. That appears to still be with the Eels although the Dragons failed to fire and could have more potential with greater confidence. More is needed from both sides before you can invest on them with any clarity. If forced to make a head-to-head call, the youthfulness of the Dragons offers a greater chance that they can bounce back against a team who has its faults but doesn’t lack experience. Therefore, the safest investment for this match (apart from avoiding it altogether), it to invest on this game being decided by fewer than 2 converted tries.
Either team by 12.5 points or less
$1.55 (1 unit)
