-
Lance Hohaia - Source: Photosport -
Related
Preview of this weekend's round 22 of the NRL:
FRIDAY
Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys at Olympic Park
Head to head: Storm 14, Cowboys 5
Last clash: Storm 26-12 at Dairy Framers Stadium (Rd 3, 2009)
With Batman and Robin back on deck, the Jekyll and Hyde Cowboys are again looking like premiership contenders. Johnathan Thurston and Matty Bowen tormented the Titans last week, with Bowen producing his best footy since the knee injury which brought a premature end to his 2008 campaign. Going down to the graveyard will no doubt be tough, but the Cowboys did become the first side this year to win at Skilled Park last weekend so they'll have nothing to fear travelling south. While a win won't secure the Storm a top finish, it will give them some breathing space as they look to nail down a home final.
Key: Storm fullback Billy Slater has been given the week off
training to refresh, which could make for a long night for the
Cowboys defenders.
Tip: Storm
Penrith Panthers v St George Illawarra Dragons at CUA Stadium
Head to head: Panthers 6, Dragons 14
Last clash: Dragons 38-10 at WIN Stadium (Rd 12, 2009)
The one competition point the Panthers secured with last week's stunning comeback to draw against the Warriors could prove all the difference come the finals, but a victory over the Dragons would do even more. Not only would it given them all the confidence in the world, but it would be two points coach Matthew Elliott probably wasn't budgeting on getting in the run home. The return of Luke Lewis adds some class to the Panthers pack, but the Dragons will also benefit from the comebacks of rep duo Jeremy Smith and Matt Cooper. A win here and the minor premiership is the Dragons', if it isn't already.
Key: Dragons pivot Jamie Soward avoided a ban for kicking out at
Storm star Greg Inglis, and now his trusty right boot is set to
cause some more pain for the Panthers.
Tip: Dragons
SATURDAY
Manly Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Brookvale Oval
Head to head: Sea Eagles 67, Rabbitohs 55
Last clash: Sea Eagles 24-8 at ANZ Stadium (Rd 6, 2009)
After last week's loss to the Bulldogs, the equation has become simple for the Rabbitohs - win every game or kiss your finals hopes goodbye. While one more loss and 29 competition points may be enough, teams will probably need at least 30 to be assured a top eight spot, so there's not much room for error. Their cause hasn't been helped by Manly's upset loss to the Tigers, which will no doubt have the Sea Eagles focused on Sunday afternoon as they continue to push for a top four finish. Test forward Anthony Watmough is the most in-form forward in the game and the Sea Eagles will no doubt look to him to punch through some holes in the Bunnies defence.
Key: Short of running out an armed tank in the Rabbitohs No.17
jumper, how are Souths going to stop the one-man wrecking ball that
is Manly backrower Anthony Watmough?
Tip: Sea Eagles
Bulldogs v Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium
Head to head: Bulldogs 30, Raiders 23
Last clash: Bulldogs 30-20 at Canberra Stadium (Rd 7, 2009)
The Bulldogs showed some resolve to come from behind against Souths last weekend, but coach Kevin Moore will no doubt be concerned about their slow starts over the last few weeks. Moore knows if they keep that up in the finals, better teams will have the game won by the 20 minute mark. The Raiders are coming off their best display of the season, but it's hard to gauge just how hot they were against Brisbane given the Broncos were a dispirited lot. Not even the bravest Raiders fans would predict a repeat performance this week, but Canberra are one side that thrive on a bit of confidence.
Key: Canberra pivot Terry Campese last week looked like the
player who came from nowhere to win a Test jumper last year, but
will he find it as easy against the brutal Bulldogs?
Tip: Bulldogs
SUNDAY
Warriors v Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium
Head to head: Warriors 2, Titans 2
Last clash: Titans 28-12 at Skilled Park (Rd 16, 2009)
Last week's 32-all draw with Penrith summed up the Warriors season. It showcased their brilliance as they ran out to a 32-6 second half lead, but more importantly it also highlighted their inadequacies as they allowed the Panthers to storm back into it. Across the Tasman, this is a danger game for the Titans, who are coming off their first home loss of the season. Once seemingly assured of a top four finish, Gold Coast know another loss to the struggling Warriors could see the chasing pack close in. The Titans do welcome back Mat Rogers in the centres, while the return of Anthony Laffranchi to the backrow will add some starch to the pack.
Key: With Mat Rogers joining playmakers Scott Prince and Preston
Campbell in the attacking line, the Titans look to have too many
points in them for a disjointed Warriors outfit.
Tip: Titans
Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers at SFS
Head to head: Roosters 8, Tigers 6
Last clash: Tigers 40-24 at SFS (Rd 3, 2009)
Is history repeating? The Tigers of 2009 are looking a lot like the 2005 version as they make their charge to the finals. The 2005 Tigers won eight straight to clinch a top eight finish, and this year's squad will have to perform similar feats to get there. They are halfway there with Monday night's upset of Manly making it four on the trot, and key duo Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah are starting to play with some consistency. The last-placed Roosters finally played with some spirit last weekend as they went up against future coach Brian Smith up in Newcastle, but where will their motivation come from this weekend?
Key: The Tigers got most of their points from broken play
against the Sea Eagles, so the second effort will need to be there
for the Roosters to shut down Marshall and co.
Tip: Tigers
Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights at Parramatta Stadium
Head to head: Eels 18, Knights 19, Drawn 1
Last clash: Eels 20-18 at EnergyAustralia Stadium (Rd 13, 2009)
How did it come to this for the Knights? Back-to-back losses since coach Brian Smith announced he was leaving for the Roosters in 2010, and Newcastle face the prospect of being bundled out of the top eight if they make it three on the trot against Parramatta. Like the Bunnies, Parramatta just need to keep winning. They've found some form riding the back of Jarryd Hayne's purple patch of form, while rookie five-eighth Daniel Mortimer has added spark around the ruck that wasn't there over the first half of the year. The Eels stunned the Knights on their home patch in round 13, and the Knights will no doubt want revenge this time around.
Key: Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart reckons the Sharks kept Jarryd
Hayne quiet last weekend - two tries, 253 metres, ten tackle
breaks. Good luck Newcastle.
Tip: Knights
MONDAY
Brisbane Broncos v Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium
Head to head: Broncos 25, Sharks 16
Last clash: Sharks 46-12 at Toyota Stadium (Rd 15, 2009)
The fact Brisbane start $A1.16 favourites despite suffering a club record 56-0 loss to Canberra last weekend says more about how bad Cronulla are going than the Broncos' current form. Broncos coach Ivan Henjak got the dreaded backing of the board this week, while there are questions of where some players heads are at with accusations of drug problems and Karmichael Hunt's decision to quit the sport for the AFL. Things go from bad to worse for the Sharks with coach Ricky Stuart losing the services of another batch of players due to injury. The end of the season can't come soon enough for Cronulla, but can they do enough to avoid the Roosters leaving them with the wooden spoon?
Key: Pride. That's what it will come down to for the Broncos on
Monday night given on paper they should trounce the Sharks by
40-plus.
Tip: Broncos
