The first NRL game on Friday heads across to New Zealand, as the Warriors look to build on a positive 2023 as they host the Sharks. The visitors will also want to improve on last season, with the quality in both teams suggesting that this should be a good match. With both teams possessing strong packs of forwards, well complimented by outside backs, expect the on-field action to be exhilarating from start to finish.
As always, Before You Bet is here to provide a detailed preview of the action and lead you into a winner to start your weekend off on the right note.
Andi if you're a keen Daily Fantasy Sports player, make sure to check out our NRL Friday Night Fantasy Preview to help build your Draftstars lineups!
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
NRL Round 1 Preview & Betting Tips
New Zealand Warriors vs Cronulla Sharks
Go Media Stadium, Friday 8th March, 6pm (AEST)
Match Preview
The Warriors are an intriguing team this season, with the return of RTS boosting their strength on the edges. Many players will be out to prove that last season was not a ‘once off’ and the locals will be out to show their returning love of rugby league.
The Sharks head across the ditch with a few injury concerns and halves pairing which will need more time to ‘gel’ together. Their strength is in their toughness; they built a season on dragging teams down to their level in 2023. They also let a lot of games slip away over the course of year and will be out to make amends in that area. Mental toughness and poise could make a large difference to their chances come September.
Match Prediction
A sell-out crowd is expected and if the odds are a true reflection, the Warriors will be putting on a show. The home team ($1.58 vs $2.40) are preferred, despite the absence of regular fullback Nichol-Klokstad; such is their strength in other areas, regular first-graders from 2023 have been omitted.
The Sharks have a few injury concerns to contend with. Hamlen-Uele is unavailable, while Hynes has overcome a recent injury to be named. You can expect plenty of traffic to come his way in this game and test out his quadricep injury.
It is difficult to find a pattern in recent matches between these two sides; their average margin of victory is 15.4 points, despite 2 of them being decided by 2 points. Blowout victories of 19 and 22 to the Warriors and 32 to the Sharks suggest anything can happen in this fixture.
A high total points average (50.6) in these same matches is an indicator that this game may also be a high scoring encounter. For the sake of a selection, the Warriors have the edge but discount the Sharks at your own peril. They will be in this game for a long way.
Total Points Over 43.5
$2.35 (1.5 Units)
