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| NRL Preview: Round five | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 12 2008, 03:48 AM (28 Views) | |
| Centurion | Apr 12 2008, 03:48 AM Post #1 |
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A grand final replay headlines round five of the NRL where the top teams look to consolidate a handy start to the season while the slow starters are conscious of losing touch with the top eight.Storm v Sea Eagles The Storm hold a distinct advantage in this grand final rematch as Manly have never won at Olympic Park. After last week's dour win questions have been asked whether Manly's creativity can match their impenetrable defence. However, they lead the NRL in total runs as well as topping the off-load charts, signalling a successful mixture of direct and second phase play. Melbourne also returned to basics last week and it paid off on the fringes. Their outside set plays looked to regain their trademark incisiveness. Melbourne has been tamed by tough defences this season and Manly has only conceded 76 points this year. Brett Stewart and Billy Slater also go head-to-head in a tantalising Test selection side pot. It is sure to be a tight affair with the hallowed turf of the Graveyard likely to split the difference.*Raman's tip: Storm Eels v Titans The Eels are very quickly losing their top four credentials as they continue to leak tries at an average of 4.5 a game. Furthermore, they had a chance to rally against the Cowboys last week but they faltered badly leaving Parramatta fans wondering if the Smith-Finch combination, although tried and true, is the best option. In their favour is the fact they are hosting a Titans side that is on a seven game losing streak away from home. The Gold Coast is also without the inspirational Luke Bailey to reinforce a tireless back row. The Eels' worse loss of 2007 came after a 38-12 defeat to the Titans on the Gold Coast but the visitors need to overcome a horrendous away record and a relatively inexperienced front row.*Raman's tip: Eels Dragons v Cowboys While all the focus is on Thurston and Bowen it was the Cowboys forwards who set up an emphatic first win of the season. Aaron Payne also helped carve North Queensland through the ruck area with a mesmerising display from hooker. The Dragons on the other hand continue to struggle putting together a complete 80 minutes of football. Ben Creagh and Dean Young will strengthen an underperforming pack that needs to get the opposition back peddling for the outside men to strike. St George Illawarra were a different team at Wollongong a fortnight ago, which will play on the minds of the Bowen-less Cowboys whose 2 through 6 are not particularly convincing on paper against the likes of Gasnier and Cooper. In saying that, form should win the day.*Raman's tip: Cowboys Panthers v Roosters With Willie Mason, David Shillington and Anthony Minichiello out for the Roosters, the Panthers would like their chances in this one. That was until they lost Adam Woolnough and Trent Waterhouse and all of a sudden their forward pack advantage dwindles. Frank Pritchard was immense on Monday night as was the returning Luke Lewis, who starts in the second row this week. The Roosters must be buoyed by their destruction of the Dogs and the class of Anasta and Pearce in the halves has seen them cross for 12 of 16 tries within the opponent's 20 metre line. Surprisingly the Panthers are last for all-run metres (4440) while the Roosters are first (6041). Penrith have scored 20 points in the last three matches against the Roosters at the foot of the mountains, but have lost all three.*Raman's tip: Roosters Warriors v Bulldogs The Warriors will be wary of the resurgent Dogs, after the New Zealanders themselves bounced back from a thrashing to record a tough win the next week. The wounded Bulldogs will have a point to prove and Sonny Bill Williams will be the key on his return home. The prodigious second rower literally holds his side's second phase play in the palm of his hand and will be watching for the in-form Luke Patten around the rucks. The Warriors are no slouches at second phase play either, ranked equal second for off-loads in the NRL. However discipline will win this battle. New Zealand has conceded the most penalties this season while the Dogs are leading the NRL's error count. The Bulldogs have astonishingly won the last six between the two of which five where across the Tasman. *Raman's tip: Bulldogs Raiders v Tigers The Raiders love returning to their home patch while the bruised Tigers will be hoping Robbie Farah is fit to play. If he does is, Farah's return should see Wests regain their structure and forward momentum, not to mention some decisiveness on the last tackle. Canberra has lost both Michael Weyman (suspension) and Ryan Hinchcliffe (thumb) for six matches to extend their long-term woes. Interestingly enough for the Tigers, the losing team from Monday night has rebounded to win their next match on every occasion this year. Furthermore, former Raiders coach Tim Sheens has led his charges to two wins from the last three in the nation's capital. But assuming Farah is out; the Tigers will struggle for direction.*Raman's tip: Raiders Knights v Broncos While the Bronco bubble was finally burst last week, the young Knights continue to win admirers for their never-say die attitude. Last week they threw the ball around late (11 off-loads in the last 15 minutes) but came up short for the second consecutive week despite the amazing efforts of Kurt Gidley. The close defeats may be taking its toll on the inexperienced Newcastle who has made 11 personnel and positional changes including the loss of number six Jarrod Mullen. The Broncos will be without Darren Lockyer again but stand-in skipper Justin Hodges is fit and ready to face up against try-a-game Wes Naiqama. Both sides boast commendable completion rates (74 per cent), so turnovers will be crucial. Brisbane has won four of the last five against the Knights including three at EnergyAustralia. The scars of an embarrassing 71-6 towel up last year will still be fresh for the home side.*Raman's tip: Broncos Sharks v Rabbitohs Don't expect a blockbuster on Monday night as the desperate Rabbitohs look to register some points against the plucky Sharks. For the first time in four rounds, Jason Taylor has kept the same halves combination of Jeremy Smith and John Sutton but has lost the valuable services of prop Michael Greenfield. His absence will hurt Souths' go-forward which has been pedestrian so far. The Sharks have actually scored one less try than the Rabbits this season, but Souths match-winning defence has continually faltered while Cronulla's stubbornness is finally getting them over the line in close contests. The Rabbitohs fare well against the Sharks prevailing in five of the last seven but resist the urge to back Souths simply because they are due for a win. This is sure to be a dogged stand-off between the two worst attacking sides in the competition.*Raman's tip: Sharks |
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| Centurion | Apr 12 2008, 03:53 AM Post #2 |
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He got that one right, melbourne were easy winners against manly.
One out of two so far, not a good look, but we'll see how the rest of the weekend pans out
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| Centurion | Apr 12 2008, 10:42 PM Post #3 |
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Another one he got right..
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| Centurion | Apr 12 2008, 10:56 PM Post #4 |
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This fellas good, another one in the bag..
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