Darry Worthington takes a look at the five National Rugby League games being played between Friday the 28th of May and Saturday the 29th.
The NRL made its return this past Thursday on a cracking note with the log-leading Parramatta Eels hammering the Brisbane Broncos, who came into the game as slight favourites.
Will we see some more underdog upsets or will it be a weekend for the favourites?
Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans.
Friday 29 May
Queensland County Bank Stadium
10:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Cowboys 7/20
Draw 22/1
Titans 23/10
The Cowboys come into this one as hot favourites with the ‘books to claim the spoils. While the hosts had enjoyed an indifferent start to the season – they lost 21-28 to the Broncos at home in Round 1 before beating the Bulldogs 16-24 away from home – they are deserved favourites as the Titans have been the whipping boys of the tournament thus far going down 24-6 to the Raiders and 6-46 to the Eels.
Verdict: Cowboys 7/20
While there’s not much value here, the home win is a banker for sure.
Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Friday 29 May
Bankwest Stadium
11:55
To Win (80 Mins)
Roosters 4/10
Draw 20/1
Rabbitohs 2/1
Next up we have a Sydney derby with the reigning champions, the Roosters, tackling last season’s semi-finalists, the Rabbitohs.
The Roosters have endured a tough old start to their campaign losing their opening two games with their first defeat seeing them go down 20-14 to the Panthers and the second seeing them lose 8-9 to the Manly Sea Eagles.
The visitors have enjoyed a slightly better time of it and have registered one loss and one defeat. Their defeat came in Round 2 where they lost 22-18 to the Broncos, while their victory came in the opening week where they beat the Cronulla Sharks 22-18
Verdict: Rabbitohs 2/1
I’m going to throw out a bit of a speculator and have a small punt on the away win.
New Zealand Warriors v St George Illawarra Dragons
Saturday 30 May
Central Coast Stadium
07:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Warriors 31/20
Draw 19/1
Dragons 11/20
The New Zealand Warriors take on the Illawarra Dragons in Saturday’s early kick-off. The Kiwi side, who are the only overseas team in the tournament, are unlikely to have any home games for the next few months due to the threat of COVID-19.
The hosts struggled in the opening two rounds losing their first game 20-0 to the Brisbane Knights and their second 6-20 to the Raiders.
The Dragons have fared equally as poorly as they went down 14-24 to the Tigers in Round 1 and 28-32 to the Panthers.
Verdict: Warriors 31/20
I’m going to have a small dabble on the Kiwi outfit. It’s more to do with me having a soft spot for them than anything else, although, they are a good side on their day.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v West Tigers
Saturday 30 May
Bankwest Stadium
09:30
To Win (80 Mins)
Sharks 7/10
Draw 19/1
Tigers 23/20
The Cronulla Sharks will play host to the West Tigers in Saturday’s second fixture. The hosts are yet to win a game this term going down 22-18 to the Rabbitohs in Round 1 and 10-12 to the Storm in Round 2.
The Tigers have been a bit better this term and come into this one with a record of one win and one loss. Their victory came in Round 1 where they beat the Dragons 14-24 and then they suffered a heavy 24-24 defeat to the Knights in Round 2.
Verdict: Sharks 7/10
I reckon the hosts will break their duck on Saturday.
Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders
Saturday 30 May
AAMI Park
11:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Storm 11/20
Draw 17/1
Raiders 15/10
We close out Friday’s action with a clash between the Melbourne Storm and the Canberra Raiders. The Storm finished last season as beaten semi-finalists while the Raiders were the tournament’s 2019 runners-up.
Both teams are unbeaten headed into Saturday’s fixture with the hosts beating the Sea Eagles 4-18 in Round 1 and the Sharks 10-12 in Round 2. The Raiders wins came against the Titans (24-6) and the Warriors (6-20).
Verdict: Storm 11/20
This could be a tight old game some any plus line in excess of five points is worth backing. If I was on the straight win then my money would be firmly in the hosts camp.
