NRL ROUND 2 PREVIEW

17th March 2011, by Unknown author

After a week of upsets in Round 1, where 4/8 outsiders saluted, Round 2 looks to be just as hard to read in terms of form and results. Read on...

NRL Round 2 Preview

Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers

The Eels play at Parramatta Stadium for the first time this season after coming off an upset victory over the NZ Warriors in Round 1, and are currently listed as $1.53 favourites in comparison to the Panthers at $2.50. Although the team has a number of new faces, they appeared to gel instantaneously courtesy of the leadership of Nathan Hindmarsh and Jarryd Hayne, and if their performance in the first round is anything to go by, they’ll be extremely hard to beat against the Panthers.

The Panthers on the other hand had a terrible start to season, getting thrashed by the Knights 42-8. Their performance has already raised questions about their Premiership credentials, and Coach Matt Elliot will be expecting a strong performance against their Sydney rivals. Expect veterans Petero Civoniceva and Luke Lewis to lead up front for the Panthers and get them over the line.

Tip: Panthers by 2

Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos

The Raiders could not have started the season stronger in Round 1, thrashing the Sharks 40-12 at Canberra Stadium, and play at home for the second week in a row against the Broncos on Friday night. The Raiders are currently listed at $1.48 in comparison to the Broncos at $2.66. Raiders halfback Matt Orford is expected to make his return to the NRL this week, and the team will welcome his experience against the veteran Broncos combination of Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace. The Broncos had a lacklustre performance in Round 1 against their Queensland rivals the Cowboys, and after a series of off-season incidents including the loss of Greg Inglis to the Rabbitohs as well as the sacking of former coach Ivan Henjak, the team will have to group together if they are to be any chance against the Raiders. The Broncos have the upper hand in terms of experienced players in Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker and Darren Lockyer, so expect them to bounce back after their poor performance last week.

Tip: Broncos by 13

Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans

The Storm’s long wait for competition points in the NRL is officially over. They accounted for the Sea Eagles last week in Melbourne, and return home on Saturday night as $1.53 favourites against the Titans at $2.50. With the losses in 2011 of Brett White, Greg Inglis, Ryan Hoffman and Brett Finch, the new look Storm side looked good after Coach Craig Bellamy guided the team to victory in Round 1.

However, the Storm will be up against a Gold Coast Titans side that made very few changes in the off-season, and put in a strong performance in their loss to Premiership favourites the Dragons in Round 1. With the likes of Scott Prince, Luke Bailey and Greg Bird, and with Preston Campbell coming off the bench, expect this match to be extremely close.

Tip: Storm by 1

Wests Tigers vs NZ Warriors

The Wests Tigers looked very flat last week in their disappointing loss to the Bulldogs, but the punters are expecting a form reversal after the Tigers opened at the head to head price of $1.50 in comparison to the Warriors at $2.60. Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall didn’t have his best game last week, struggling with both his goal-kicking and kicks in play.

The Warriors are also coming off a disappointing loss in Round 1, but many thought they were hard done by in terms of refereeing decisions against the Eels last week. The losses of imposing Winger Manu Vatuvai for at least a month through injury is huge, and without their leading try-scorer for the clash, expect the Tigers to bounce back in Round 2.

Tip: Tigers by 10

North QLD Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights

The Cowboys are coming into their Round 2 clash against the Knights after a great victory over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, and after a shocking season in 2010, the team has started off strongly. The Cowboys are currently listed with Centrebet at $1.64 in comparison to the Knights at $2.26.

The Knights are another team coming into the clash off an unexpected victory over the Panthers in Round 1. The team had the highest scoring total in the opening round, and if halfback Jarrod Mullen can put in a dominant kicking performance as he did against the Panthers, the Knights can open the season with two in a row.

Tip: Knights by 7

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs

Although suffering a Round 1 defeat at the hands of last year’s grand finalists, South Sydney showed what they are capable of in a 20 minute 2nd half blitz of the Roosters, posting 23 points in 20 minutes! The signs were there, but can they perform at this level for 80 minutes is the key against a very slick & professional Bulldogs outfit.

Coach Moore has pulled his new troops together in the off season & turned them into a well oiled machine! Will John Lang swap Greg Inglis & rookie Dylan Farrell in the Rabbitohs centre’s to conquer to powerful Jamal Idris? This could be a match winner for mine!

We open the Head to Head market with the Bulldogs a firm $1.41 favourite against the $2.60 of the Rabbitohs. The loss of Burgess appears to be counteracted by the addition of Crocker, while the Doggies will be without prolific try scorer Josh Morris. Is this the one that slip’s under the radar in Round 2?

Tip: Rabbitohs by 12

Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles

The Roosters started the 2011 season with a dominant victory over the Rabbitohs, skipping to an early lead before putting in a strong last 20 minutes to win a high scoring game 40-29. This was all done without 2010 Dally M winner Todd Carney, and with the team hopefully welcoming him back to the line-up for this week’s clash, the Roosters will be extremely hard to beat. They are currently listed with Centrebet at $1.26 in comparison to the Sea Eagles at $3.90.

The Sea Eagles are coming off an away loss to the Storm, and with leaders Jamie Lyon and Jason King out of the line-up for this week, the team might be a little short handed against the Roosters. This match has the potential to be a thrashing, so the 13+ for the Roosters looks the way to go.

Tip: Roosters by 22

Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons

The Cronulla Sharks will be looking to eradicate the memories of last week’s performance against the Raiders, after the team got hammered 40-12 in Canberra last weekend. The Sharks will play at home for the first time this season, and are the biggest outsiders of the round with Centrebet, currently $4.65 outsiders in comparison to the Dragons at $1.19.

The Dragons started their 2011 Premiership defence with a solid performance over the Titans in Round 1. The team scored the majority of their tries off kicks, albeit luck being on their side for a couple of them. The Dragons look too strong, and should come away with an easy victory.

Tip: Dragons by 14

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last update : 17th March 2011 11:28