South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers
Round 14. The second half of season 2014 kicks off from
ANZ Stadium and time sure is flying. Speaking of flying, these two teams
certainly are, with Souths continuing a recent era of success and the Tigers
bouncing back from a nightmare 2013. They both sit on 16 competition points and
even without superstars like Greg Inglis, Robbie Farah and Liam Fulton playing
in this game, it will still be a beauty as tensions in the middle are sure to
flare.
In their last meeting with Souths in round 3, the
visitors forward pack was heralded as the crew that finally stood up to the
Burgess Boys. This time, the likes of Galloway, Taupau and Blair better be
ready for reprisals. Souths were essentially spanked in that match and they won’t
let the same thing happen here. Sam Burgess, as he often does, will get the
ball rolling early and even with the fatigue that may hit the Bunnies after a
trip to Perth, they will have their revenge.
My tip: South Sydney 21-14
Penrith Panthers v St George Illawarra Dragons
The Mighty Panthers. Sitting on top of the table with an
8-4 record and the second best defence in the competition, this team has it
all. A forward pack with the perfect balance of youth and experience, of size
and skill and of brains and brawn; a representative halves combination with 340
games total experience and finally, a backline boasting the likes of… ready for
this…. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak! Yes,
I’m now president of the Panthers fan club. Deal with it.
Where does this leave the visiting Dragons for Saturdays
nights encounter at Sportingbet Stadium? In deep doo doo. Saints may have
climbed out of the pit of despair with last week’s win over Cronulla, but it
may not be enough to get them past the home side who come in as $1.20
favourites. So, whilst the Widdop/Marshall combination still finds its feet,
Penrith run right through the Dragons middle and end this one early and
emphatically.
My tip: Penrith 30-14
Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights
The defending premiers have won 6 of their past 7 matches
and are absolutely loving it. They have enough depth to cover the loss of a few
origin stars and with their 7 and 6 staying in Bondi for the rep season, Chooks
fans must be doing cartwheels. This week, they face the free-falling Knights.
Newcastle have lost their past 6 matches and sit second-last on the ladder. In
fact, the stats don’t do justice to how different these two clubs are, right
now.
The Knights are cashless, ownerless and hopeless whilst
the Roosters have it all; the money, the sponsors and the talent. Speaking of
talent, you’ll see the Tri-Colours’ very best on show at Allianz Stadium on
Saturday night as Mitchel Pearce and James Maloney guide their unstoppable
forward pack around the park for an easy victory. The only controversy could
come if Willie Mason tries to steal Sonny Bill’s wallet at halftime. Fingers
crossed.
My tip: Roosters 30-12
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v Parramatta Eels
It’s the height of rudeness, really. To forsake your most
vocal, most passionate and most traditional fan base by booking this fixture 3
days before origin 2? Simply breathtaking stuff from the NRL. With Canterbury
and Parramatta both in the middle of fantastic seasons and with the history
that these clubs share, you could have 40,000 people minimum turn up to this game and now, to have it played without a
handful of the biggest stars in the comp is just crazy.
As always, we digress. Damien Cook gets his chance to
start for the Bulldogs at halfback this week and if anyone knows how to welcome
a kid from Cronulla Beach to Belmore, it’s Bulldogs fans. The ‘Dogs will
struggle in attack without their starting halves and admittedly, the same
problem exists for Parra without Jarryd Hayne and Nathan Peats. So, strap in
for a defensive struggle between two great Sydney clubs as they face each other
for the 135th time.
My tip: Canterbury 14-12
Gold Coast Titans v Melbourne Storm
A tough period for both clubs. Whilst the Storm crawl
through the rep season again, this time they won’t be getting Cooper Cronk back
after it’s all over. Rather, as this season continues, they’ll most likely see
the fading of an aura they’ve kept for a decade. The Titans are also on very
shaky ground. They’ve lost their organiser, Aidan Sezer, for 3 months and now
Albert Kelly looks to have been dumped from 1st grade completely.
So, with all rep players out, the Titans’ season in upheaval,
the match scheduled 48 hours from Origin 2 and the poorly supported Storm
coming to town; get ready for CBUS Super Stadium in Robina to be rocking on
Monday night. It’s almost the perfect storm to get the Rugby League juices
really flowing. Heaven help us all. Speaking of heaven, watching this match could
send you to the other place so either get on the sauce early, or have a little
something on last try-scorer to keep you locked in.
My tip: Titans 16-14
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