Welcome to the 2023 Rugby League season in the NRL.
As always this season is going to be a beauty and I will give my thoughts and predictions on every game, starting on Thursday, March 2nd, with the Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels, CommBank Stadium.
I have thought about this game over the last week, and I have found reasons for both sides to win, but in the NRL, there can be only one winner, because if the scores are tied at full time, then extra time is played until a winner is decided.
Eels predicted team:
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Isaac Lumelume
3. Will Penisini
4. Waqa Blake
5. Maika Sivo
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Junior Paulo
11. Matt Doorey
12. Bryce Cartwright
13. J’maine Hopgood
14. Jake Arthur
15. Wiremu Greig
16. Makahesi Makatoa
17. Jack Murchie
Eels team news:
Reed Mahoney and Isaiah Papali’i will leave major holes in the side that made the grand final in 2022. Jack Murchie, J’maine Hopgood, Matt Doorey and Josh Hodgson will all come into the side.
Bailey Simonsson (shoulder) will miss the start of the season due to injury, while Ryan Matterson (suspension) will miss the opening three games.
Shaun Lane (jaw) suffered a broken jaw in the trials and will miss the opening rounds.
Storm predicted team:
1. Nick Meaney
2. Will Warbrick
3. Young Tonumaipea
4. Reimis Smith
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Christian Welch
9. Harry Grant
10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
17. Eliesa Katoa
12. Trent Loiero
13. Josh King14.
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Aaron Pene
16. Tepai Moeroa
17. Alec MacDonald
Storm team news:
The nucleus of the side remains the same, but the loss of experienced forwards Felise Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers will leave a big hole.
Craig Bellamy will try to fill it with Tariq Sims and Eliesa Katoa, while Christian Welch and Reimis Smith should both return to the side after lengthy injury layoffs.
Justin Olam suffered a broken arm in the trials and looks set to miss the start of the season. Tui Kamikamica (foot) will miss the opening month of the season through injury.
Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee) remains sidelined as he continues a lengthy rehab process.
So I am going to go with the Eels by a point, because it is in Sydney, Also the Storm were not great in the trials, and the Eels have won the last four against the Storm. But this game will be close, I believe, so be careful if you are betting.
GOOD LUCK!!
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