The opening match on NRL Super Saturday takes place in New Zealand this week and, for the second consecutive week, features the Warriors. With both teams coming off a strong showing last week, they will be full of confidence for this match. It is a crucial game for both sides too; they sit on equal competition points, yet neither is firmly entrenched inside the Top 8. It promises to be a high-quality match.
Before You Bet is here to provide a detailed look at what lies ahead to hopefully, find you a winner.
Also, if you’re new to sports betting or betting on the NRL, check out the following articles to help build your knowledge:
- Guide to Betting on the NRL
- Where to Bet on the NRL
- Factors to Consider When Betting on the NRL
2024 NRL Round 6 Preview & Betting Tips
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Go Media Stadium – Saturday 13th April – 3pm (AEST)
Match Preview
The Warriors were at their dominant best last week in their 34-4 victory over the Rabbitohs. Facing a road trip, a negative history, and a team desperate to halt a losing streak, the Warriors held firm and backed their ability. Their maturity and class in their play was evident; some would’ve expected a win, but few would’ve expected such a level of dominance. Despite conceding the first try of the match, they held firm and built pressure on their opponents to lead 18-4 at HT. This was a consistent feature of their entire match; they dominated possession (55%) and had a high completion rate (85%). The fact that they ran for 400m more than their opponents, while also having 6 line breaks and missing just 25 tackles further highlighted their dominance.
The Sea Eagles also provided a high-quality match and were rewarded for their execution. Facing a 3-game losing streak, they were too much for a wounded Panthers team. Unlike the Warriors, they had a lesser share of possession (49%) but made the most of their chances. They were dynamic with the ball, with 8 line breaks highlighting how well they played. As much as their 32-18 score suggests dominance, they still have plenty of improvement to make; they still missed 32 tackles and conceded more total metres. A far better is needed in coming weeks.
Match Prediction
The Warriors are rightly installed as favourites ($1.44 vs $2.80) for this game, with the Sea Eagles performance last week lacking complete polish. They are a talented team with strike attacking weapons across the field. The difference between them and the Warriors is that the home side has a proven record of discipline this season on both sides of the ball.
The trip across to New Zealand will not phase the visitors. They have a 67% win record at this ground and a superior record against their opponent; they have also won 3 out of the past 5 meetings between these two sides. Nevertheless, 2024 is a different story and the Warriors team are a different entity. Despite scoring fewer points in attack (22ppg vs 25ppg), they have a stronger defensive record (14ppg vs 20ppg). This will likely be a point of different, but such is the unpredictability of the visitors, it is best to ‘play it safe’ in this game and see what the outcome is, with other games more enticing across the weekend.
The Warriors should win; if forced to make it a call, a victory of less than 2 converted tries appears likely. The 2024 competition has thrown up several challenges this year so looking elsewhere this weekend appears to be the preferred option.
Warriors to Win
$1.44 (2 Units)
