-
Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia - Source: Photosport -
Related
NRL preview panel for round one:
FRIDAY
Parramatta Eels v St George Illawarra Dragons at Parramatta Stadium
Head to head: Eels 11, Dragons 8, drawn 1
Last clash: Eels 25-12 at WIN Jubilee Stadium (Qualifying finals,
2009)
What a cracker to kick things off in 2010. Who'll ever forget the last time these two played in round one of the finals last year, when Jarryd Hayne danced around eight defenders to score the try of the year as the Eels upset the minor premiers? Hayne claims he will be even more dangerous this year, and with Timana Tahu and Justin Poore on board, the Eels should be too. The loss of Matt Cooper leaves the Dragons lacking strikepower out wide, but with six props in his squad, it is doubtful Wayne Bennett was planning on being too expansive anyway.
Key: Can Jarryd Hayne pick up where he left off in 2009, when he
was regarded the best player in the game?
Tip: EELS
Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium
Head to head: Broncos 21, Cowboys 4, drawn 2
Last clash: Broncos 16-10 at Dairy Farmers Stadium (Rd 25,
2009)
Season-openers don't usually mean too much by the time you get to September, but this all-Queensland derby could give a fair indication of just what will be expected of these two sides in 2010. The Broncos squad - in particular the backline - lacks the talent of previous campaigns, and that's even with Darren Lockyer, Israel Folau and Peter Wallace still on board. Nobody knows what to make of the Cowboys, with question marks still lingering over their ability to perform with Johnathan Thurston missing injured sidekick Matt Bowen. Their pack looks menacing, but can Thurston find enough help to capitalise on that platform?
Key: Any side featuring Darren Lockyer is a chance of winning,
but minus the likes of Karmichael Hunt, Justin Hodges, are the
Broncos putting too much pressure on their 32-year-old skipper to
carry them?
Tip: COWBOYS
SATURDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium
Head to head: Bulldogs 17, Knights 14, drawn 1
Last clash: Bulldogs 26-12 at ANZ Stadium (Qualifying final,
2009)
Has anyone had a worse off-season in the history of the game than the Knights? Danny Wicks - gone. Chris Houston - gone. Kurt Gidley - sidelined. No wonder they are most peoples early favourites to get the wooden spoon. Their cause isn't helped against the Bulldogs with Isaac De Gois sidelined as well, leaving a lot on the plate of former NSW halfback Jarrod Mullen. The Bulldogs have plugged their gaps nicely over the off-season, and there seems to be no reason why they shouldn't pick up where they left off last year, when they finished one game away from a grand final berth.
Key: Michael Ennis and Brett Kimmorley - the Knights just don't
have anyone who can match the consistency of the Bulldogs pair, who
should have the visitors pinned on their own line for much of the
game.
Tip: BULLDOGS
Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders at CUA Stadium
Head to head: Panthers 27, Raiders 27 drawn 1
Last clash: Panthers 27-14 at CUA Stadium (Rd 19, 2009)
Traditionally a side that gives the Panthers some trouble, Canberra need to address their road woes if they are to return to the finals in 2010. They've tried everything over the years - from travelling by bus to travelling on game day, nothing seems to have worked. Maybe coach David Furner should get them to walk up the Hume Highway to away games - now there's an incentive to start winning. The loss of Joel Monaghan hurts, but there is plenty of excitement about his replacement, young gun Joel Thompson. Penrith's pack is as good as any in the comp, while Michael Jennings out wide should ensure the points flow freely.
Key: Luke Walsh - with a powerful pack and speed to burn out
wide, can the Panthers No.7 impose himself enough to give the ball
to the right people at the right time?
Tip: PANTHERS
Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm at Toyota Stadium
Head to head: Sharks 8, Storm 12
Last clash: Storm 30-10 at Olympic Park (Rd 20, 2009)
There's two ways to look at a first-up match-up with the reigning premiers for Sharks fans - either it's a nightmare way to start what could be another year to forget or a great opportunity for the club to show it has turned the corner. Not many will give the home side a chance of causing an upset, but the trip to England for the World Club Challenge and the unavailability of halfback Cooper Cronk could leave the Storm slightly vulnerable. A highlight will be the match-up between Greg Inglis and younger cousin Albert Kelly, who will make his debut off the bench for the Sharks.
Key: Greg Inglis and Billy Slater. With the Sharks lacking speed
in the centres, the Storm duo could be in for a field day on the
edge of the rucks up against the likes of Ben Pomeroy and Dean
Collis.
Tip: STORM
SUNDAY
Gold Coast Titans v Warriors at Skilled Park
Head to head: Titans 3, Warriors 2
Last clash: Titans 30-10 at Mt Smart Stadium (Rd 22, 2009)
The Titans have become many pundits' premiership fancy, thanks largely to the addition of former Test five-eighth Greg Bird to play alongside skipper Scott Prince in the halves. Throw in the likes of Preston Campbell and Mat Rogers, and the Titans suddenly have creativity across the park. If only the same could said of the Warriors, who will run out recycled playmaker Brett Seymour in the No.7. The inclusion of Lance Hohaia at fullback gives the Warriors a bit more flair, but they will sorely miss the metres and leadership of the injured Steve Price in this one.
Key: Stopping Scott Prince. The Titans halfback is at the peak
of his powers, and with Greg Bird as a running mate, Prince should
have even more room to operate this season.
Tip: TITANS
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium
Head to head: Rabbitohs 105, Roosters 89, drawn 5
Last clash: Rabbitohs 40-20 at ANZ Stadium (Rd 20, 2009)
The NRL's two oldest combatants have both been given a facelift ahead of their now traditional season-opener, with both under the tutelage of new coaches and featuring a host of new faces. Souths have already laid claim to having the best pack in the NRL, and with Dave Taylor and Englishman Sam Burgess joining the likes of Roy Asotasi, who could argue. All eyes will be on Brian Smith's experiment of playing Todd Carney at fullback, while Braith Anasta will also be under pressure to perform in his first game since June last year when he broke his ankle.
Key: Chris Sandow. The Souths halfback now has a monster pack to
work behind, so the pressure is on the young playmaker to hold up
his end of the bargain.
Tip: RABBITOHS
MONDAY
Wests Tigers v Manly Sea Eagles at Sydney Football Stadium
Head to head: Tigers 5, Sea Eagles 8
Last clash: Tigers 19-18 at SFS (Rd 21, 2009)
Apparently the Tigers are going to trot out a 30-year-old winger for his first match in the NRL in more than seven years, and amazingly many Tigers fans are pinning their hopes on him helping return the club to the finals for the first time since 2005. It may seem a lot to ask, but Lote Tuqiri says he's ready to deliver. While he's likely to be underdone against the Sea Eagles, there's no doubt Tuqiri gives the Tigers a more potent look. Manly will finally get a chance to embark on life without former skipper Matt Orford.
Key: Kieran Foran. The Kiwi youngster has been entrusted to
replace Matt Orford in the No.7, and with minimal playmaking
support from halves partner Jamie Lyon, there's plenty of pressure
to perform.
Tip: TIGERS
TVNZ's Sport Tipping is back for 2010. Sign up now to play
Super 14 and NRL. There are great prizes to be won and more games
including the Football World Cup to come.
Get tipping
NOW
