NZ Warriors v Canterbury
To kick off Rivalry Round, or as some might call it, Round 19, the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs travel to Auckland to take on a Warriors team who have not fared much better than their opponents in recent weeks. If form is any indicator, this rivalry won’t have much venom behind it when these clubs meet on Friday night but form is never important when a season is on the line.
That is exactly the case for the ‘dogs. Win and you keep the dream alive; lose your third in a row and your 10th of the year and its curtains. The likes of Frank Pritchard, Greg Eastwood and Dene Halatau will give everything they have against their countrymen, but once again the Bulldogs will lack a spark in the halves and toughness in defence. The exciting talents of Warriors pair Shaun Johnson and Kevin Locke are again on display to ensure NZ get the biscuits.
My tip: Warriors 18-12
Brisbane v Gold Coast
These teams have only played each other on 10 occasions but the proximity rule ensures it falls under a ‘rivalry’ banner. Truth be told, they have already played some memorable matches but this could be something to forget for the Titans and their fans. In fact, if the Broncos are awake and ready for this one, it could get ugly and it could be embarrassing.
The Gold Coast sit on the bottom of the ladder, with the worst defensive record in the NRL and many have blamed their struggles in 2011 on the age factor. If this is true and the visitors are simply too old to compete, trying to contain the Broncos’ next generation stars will be impossible. This will be highlighted in the forwards with Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett and Ben Hannant ready to run rings around their ‘older’ opposition. Titans are in it early but simply can’t keep up.
My tip: Brisbane 30-10
South Sydney v Eastern Suburbs
To continue a genuine and historic rivalry dating back to May of 1908, South Sydney host the Roosters at Homebush on Saturday evening and whilst their respective seasons appear to be over, these clubs will definitely not play like it when the whistle blows for kick off. The Bunnies seem to be outgunned on paper, with a horrific injury toll and a slightly less horrific defensive record, but somehow still showed signs of life against Manly last week.
The Roosters meanwhile, had plenty of life in them last week and that resurgent performance against the Panthers has some tipping that Todd Carney has come out of his funk, that the Roosters can still go on a run and make the semis and that they will win their first away game of the season this weekend. Balderdash. Souths still have their spine intact and desperation gets them home in a close one.
My tip: South Sydney 24-20
North Queensland v Wests Tigers
So, we assume that this is a rivalry based on the 2005 decider? Fine with me. A total of 8 players from this match actually played in that Grand Final but considering the brutal nature of our sport, who even knows if they remember it. J Thurston’s injury aside, the Cowboys look fantastic on paper in this one. They’ve had an unbelievable season so far and even pulled off a miraculous upset last Monday night just to show they are not a one man team.
The Tigers, meanwhile, are showing too few signs of promise and are hitting a bad patch at the wrong end of the season. Their attack should be too much for the Cowboys, who will struggle for points, but should is not good enough. The Cowboys play with plenty of pride and enthusiasm led by the return of Tariq Sims and Brent Tate. Speaking of Tate, he and Willie Tonga up against Chris Lawrence and Blake Ayshord will be a highlight.
My tip: North Queensland 22-18
Penrith v Parramatta
The ‘battle of the west’ is not about League v the AFL, nor is it about cowboy hats and six shooters. It is, and always should be about the Panthers and the Eels. They face each other for the 83rd time on Saturday in a cold and wet night at the foot of the mountains. This shapes up to be a beauty. The Panthers have been playing some inspired football of late and will welcome a return to their home ground for this match.
The Eels, well, seem a little confused at the moment about who should lead their attack. They have a halfback who is leaving at season’s end and is not known for his flair with ball in hand, they have a journeymen five-eighth who is in good form but is not the answer; and then they have Jarryd Hayne. Named at fullback this week, Hayne will be the beginning and end of the Eels chances as he either gets involved in their attack, or waits for Robson and McGuire to guide him. Chances are it’s the former.
My tip: Parramatta 16-14
Canberra v Melbourne
A rivalry? Perhaps but more likely these teams have come together as leftovers. Everyone else in the NRL has picked a partner for the big dance that is ‘rivalry round’, except for the Storm and the Raiders. They face each other in our nation’s capital on Sunday afternoon in what should be a low scoring affair, just how Melbourne like it.
Josh Dugan has been named to return in this match which should heighten expectations, as will the form of Raiders prop Brett White who faces his old team-mates to inspire a very physical battle up front. Young halves Sam Williams and Josh McCrone struggle to impose their will in attack against the brick wall that is Melbourne’s defence. The Storm run away late to win and exact revenge for a round 10 loss to the Green Machine.
My tip: Melbourne 23-10
Newcastle v Manly
Plenty of history here. Namely, the 1997 Grand Final is one of those games where you remember where you were when it all happened; when you saw Darren Albert score the match winner that incited a month long celebration in the Hunter. You remember the first 10 minutes of this decider and how it resembled an Ice Hockey brawl, rather than a game of footy. Manly and Newcastle fans certainly remember and this is a rivalry in fine form.
Speaking of fine form, the Manly Sea Eagles sit second on the ladder and head up the F3 in search of their 13th win of the season on the back of a dominant pack of forwards and super talented halves. Great matchups across the park here; highlighted by Foran facing Knights super rookie Ryan Stig, Jamie Lyon up against Junior Sa’u and two very aggressive lock forwards in Joel Edwards and Glenn Stewart. A beauty.
My tip: Manly 26-16
St George Illawarra v Cronulla
Tempted to root for the underdog here. The poor sharks, they play with so much spirit but have to watch as their hated rival of almost 50 years gets all the spoils, all the glory, all the TV games and all the best players from north of Sylvania and South of the ‘Nasho’. Although despite this disadvantage, Cronulla have been more entertaining and in better form than the reigning premiers lately but that’s all about to change.
Saints hobbled through the rep calender, coming out of this 6 week horror stretch with3 losses and a draw. On Monday night at Kogarah’s Jubilee Oval, the home side start their season all over again missing only Ben Hornby from a star studded line up. Cronulla will give them everything they can handle up front in what will be a ferocious opening 15 minutes, but home ground advantage and the Dragons defence gets them home.
My tip: St George Illawarra 20-12
For live updates throughout the weekend, go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
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