THURSDAY MARCH 6TH. ALLIANZ STADIUM
Vegas Predictions Spot On! Panthers on Track, But Can the Warriors Keep Up?
The Pre-Season Challenge is over and now the real games can begin, with the season opening Las Vegas double header done and dusted.
If you follow my blog, you will see I got all four games correct in Vegas.
Things to note are, the Panthers will be up near the top again, the Warriors will be at the other end again. I predict 10th place. If ever you are betting on the Warriors talk to your shrink before you bet. They could play the Jillaroos and still lose.
I don’t get how a very good team, on paper, can be so bad, consistently bad.
As for the Jillaroos, well that was a waste of time. Find another team that can compete. This game was just a training run against a very poor English side. To put 90 points on another side does nothing for women’s league. Maybe in the future play two NRLW sides, perhaps the top two from this season. At least it would be competitive.
Roosters vs. Broncos: A Fierce Battle to Start the Season
Both teams will be determined to start the season strong, and neither side will take a backward step. The Roosters will be looking to silence their doubters as they host a revamped Brisbane Broncos side in their season opener.
Coach Trent Robinson has lost a wealth of experience in both the forwards and backs during the off-season, with the most notable departures being Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary, who have moved to the Super League.
To make matters worse, the Roosters’ depth is already being tested before the season has even begun. Sam Walker and Brandon Smith are sidelined with long-term injuries, while Spencer Leniu will miss the opening two rounds after receiving a suspension for a dangerous tackle in a trial match against Newcastle.
For the Broncos, it’s a case of “what’s old is new again” with the return of Ben Hunt, who is expected to make an immediate impact. Hunt will partner captain Adam Reynolds in the halves, forming the oldest playmaking duo in the competition. However, the veteran pair have already proven they can still think fast, combining well to help Brisbane secure back-to-back Pre-Season Challenge titles with a final-round win over the Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, star centre Kotoni Staggs is set to miss at least the first month of the season due to a quad injury. As a result, Gehamat Shibasaki—who played top-grade for South Sydney last year—could get his chance to return to the NRL.
ROOSTERS
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Junior Pauga 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15.Siua Wong 16. De La Salle Va’a 17. Blake Steep
More Questions Than Answers for Trent Robinson Ahead of Round 1
Roosters coach Trent Robinson faces more questions than answers after his side’s heavy defeat to the Knights in Sunday’s trial match. Newcastle ran in 36 first-half points against a Roosters lineup that closely resembled what is expected to be their Round 1 team.
To make matters worse, star prop Spencer Leniu has been handed a two-match suspension for a dangerous high tackle on Phoenix Crossland. This leaves the Roosters without three of their four main props from last season. Terrell May has moved to the Tigers, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has departed for the Super League.
As a result, Lindsay Collins is locked in as a starting prop, while Naufahu Whyte is likely to join him in the front row. Youngster De La Salle Va’a is also expected to earn a spot on the bench.
Defensively, the right edge of centre Robert Toia and winger Dom Young was repeatedly exposed by the Knights. However, the poor defensive performance was a team-wide issue.
One of the biggest concerns for the Roosters is finding a reliable centre pairing following the departures of Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii. Toia has plenty of potential but has struggled throughout the pre-season. Meanwhile, former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase left the field late in the match with a leg issue, though it was later reported to be just a severe cramp.
Ideally, Billy Smith would be the first-choice centre, but he is still recovering from a hip injury and isn’t fully fit. Junior Pauga is another option who could be called upon to fill the role.
BRONCOS
1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Gehamat Shibasaki 4. Deine Mariner 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Payne Haas 9. Cory Paix 10. Pat Carrigan 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Xavier Willison
Major Blow for Broncos as Kotoni Staggs Sidelined
The Broncos have been dealt a major setback, with the club confirming on Tuesday that Kotoni Staggs will be sidelined for 4–6 weeks due to a thigh injury. Staggs underwent scans on Monday, and the results were worse than expected.
Before the pre-season, Deine Mariner was widely seen as the likely replacement for Staggs. However, it now appears that Gehamat Shibasaki has edged him out for the spot. In the Broncos’ final trial match, Shibasaki started, while Mariner came off the bench.
That being said, Mariner put in the more eye-catching performance. He scored a try, recorded five tackle breaks, and made a strong impact on the game. Despite this, coach Michael Maguire may look to play both Mariner and Shibasaki to cover Staggs’ absence.
On a positive note for the Broncos, Payne Haas (ankle) has been cleared to play, while Adam Reynolds (neck) and Reece Walsh (knee) are also expected to be available after successfully completing their final trial match.
There’s also some movement in the squad selection. Kobe Hetherington is now a strong chance to start in Round 1. A favorite of coach Michael Maguire, Hetherington had fallen out of favor under former coach Kevin Walters last season but has earned back his place during the off-season.
Another player making a strong push is Corey Paix. The hooker, who was the Broncos’ fourth-choice No. 9 last season, started both trial matches and appears to have overtaken Billy Walters in the race for the starting role.
Broncos and Roosters Set for Thriller at Allianz Stadium
- Sydney Roosters forward Nat Butcher will make his 150th NRL appearance in the clash with Brisbane at Allianz Stadium.
- The Roosters have won five of their past six games against the Broncos.
- The Broncos will play at the new Allianz Stadium for the first time.
- Brisbane centre Deine Mariner has scored six tries in his past four games in Sydney.
- Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton has scored six tries in his past five games against the Broncos.
- Prediction.
- I will go with the Broncos in a tight finish.
- Referee: Gerard Sutton, Touch Judge: Drew Oultram, Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
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