The New Zealand Warriors will look to extend their current win streak to four as they take on the Wests Tigers who have moved their home game to FMG Stadium in Hamilton. This is the first of three consecutive games to be played in New Zealand for the Warriors.
Below, we will dissect the matchup, supply our NRL betting tips, and suggest a Same Game Multi via Bet365. Be sure to keep up to date with all the NRL fixtures, as we preview every single game all season long, for free!
NRL Round 24 Preview & Betting Tips
Wests Tigers vs New Zealand Warriors
Saturday 5:30pm AEST, August 12th, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
The Wests Tigers are taking their round 24 home game over to New Zealand in a show of thanks to the Warriors who spent the better part of 3 seasons based in Australia through the corona period. Unfortunately though for the Tigers, their win rate in NZ isn’t as cheerful as their willingness to be friends, winning only 8 of their last 18 games across the ditch. The Kiwis have also won 5 straight against the hapless Tigers with the last win for the black and orange way back in 2019.
Wests have only won 3 games this season with their last victory coming back in round 12. Since then, the Tigers have scored an average of 13 points per game in their 9 straight losses. With work already underway behind the scenes replenishing the roster, the team is playing purely for their own enjoyment and there doesn't seem to be much of that on the horizon.
The Warriors on the other hand are heading towards their best finish to a season since claiming 4th spot in 2007 and their first finals appearance since 2018. Winning 7 of their last 8 games and averaging 36.1 points in those 7 wins, the return of Shaun Johnson together with the coaching of Andrew Webster has made all the difference. A win against the Tigers would all but seal their spot in the 8 with the run home consisting of 3 bottom 8 teams. It could be one of the biggest turn-arounds in the modern day NRL after finishing in 15th spot just one year ago.
Our model has this game coming in at a total of 39 with the Tigers expected points at 12.3. I like this number with the Warriors averaging 15 opposition points over their last 4 games which includes games against the Sharks and Eels, two strong attacking teams. Even though the Tigers have struggled this year there have not been too many blowouts and the last three games between these two teams have gone UNDER the points total, so I am also going to back that in as a value bet this week.
Value Bet: Game Total UNDER 48.5 - $1.87 (1 Unit) at TopSport
Tigers Team Total UNDER 16.5
$1.80 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
Game Total UNDER 52.5 - Our model has this game at 39 so we are giving over 2 converted tries on this alternate total to juice up our three leg multi.
Warriors -8.5 - The Warriors winning margin over their past 7 wins is 21.8. The alternate line of 8.5 should not be in jeopardy here.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (1+ try) - The Warriors winger has scored 15 tries in his past 10 games and with the Tigers conceding 42% of opposition tries down their left side DWZ is a sure thing.
SGM Odds: $3.10 at Bet365
