| We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing rugbyleagueforum.com as a guest. Which means that you can only see the certain sections, why not take a minute to register and become a member so that you will have full access to all the boards special features and sections. Click HERE To Register! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
| NRL Preview: Round Seven | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 24 2008, 11:37 PM (22 Views) | |
| Centurion | Apr 24 2008, 11:37 PM Post #1 |
|
Administrator
|
This weekend sees a shortened round of six matches with the Panthers, Raiders, Eels and Knights all handed early season spells. But for many representative hopefuls this weekend is the final chance to push for selection in the upcoming City Country Origin and Centenary Test. Dragons v Roosters* The halves instability at the Dragons continues this weekend. Jamie Soward returns to fill the five-eighth position left vacant by Rangi Chase while Ben Hornby stays in the seven even though hooker Dean Young looked to be the side's chief first receiver last week. That may explain why the Dragons often struggle to find a match-winner when the game is up for grabs. In contrast, the Roosters excel in that area especially with the likes of Braith Anasta, who will need another commanding performance if he wants a shot at the green and gold. His attacking kicking game will threaten the St George wingers especially newcomer and former Rooster Michael Lett. The Dragons are no pushovers in these ANZAC day clashes but they have won only two of their last nine at Sydney's Olympic stadium and are coming off four consecutive losses. Coincidently it was this same fixture last year that snapped a five game losing streak for the Roosters._*Raman's tip: Roosters_ Broncos v Rabbitohs* Brisbane were real contenders in the second half against the Titans but you sense they missed the old head of Darren Lockyer to cap off the comeback. The captain's return this week will be eagerly watched by Australian selectors while also easing the creative gap left by Karmichael Hunt who hands the custodian honours to Darius Boyd. Souths have used the most players in the NRL this season - 26 - and the changes keep coming. Isaac Luke will add some attacking impetus, although his inclusion pushes last week's standout George Ndaira to the bench. Half-back Jeremy Smith has been given the axe for Eddie Paea while Ben Rogers returns to five-eighth giving the dangerous John Sutton a chance to wreak havoc from lock. On paper its the most rounded and complete Souths side since losing Craig Wing but a trip to Brisbane, where they haven't won since 1989, hurts their chances. You have to favour the quicker and classier Broncos._*Raman's tip: Broncos_ Sea Eagles v Bulldogs* Manly came away from a bruising encounter at Parramatta Stadium relatively unscathed despite the loss of Steve Menzies for four weeks. The physical Steve Matai steps into the number six signalling Des Hasler's intentions to keep Jamie Lyon in the centres. It would have been a more comfortable week at Belmore after the Dogs carved the Dragons apart with ease. It is sure to be a bigger test this week against a much pacier Sea Eagles back line forcing the likes of Winitana, Tonga and Patten to work infield off perpetual off-loader Sonny Bill Williams. Both sides love leading at the break - the Dogs are three from three with a half-time advantage, Manly three from four. The Bulldogs have an enviable record at Brookvale coming away with the points an amazing four of the last five times they have visited. If they can they repel the early attacking raids of Manly (who have scored the first try in an amazing 23 of their last 24 home games) an upset could be on the cards._*Raman's tip: Bulldogs_ Cowboys v Storm* This one is surely the clash of the round with both sides showing off their attacking brilliance in the last few weeks. The Cowboys have rebounded from a horror start to the season on the back of the inspirational Johnathan Thurston. The North Queensland skipper was simply untouchable against the Warriors making three line-breaks and a season-high five try assists. But there are still questions to be asked of North Queensland's defence, who made 38 missed tackles last week and will not be helped by the loss of Luke O'Donnell against a rampant Storm offence led by Billy Slater. Brett White is back from suspension while Cooper Cronk will need to continue his improved range of kicking to nullify the threat of the electric Matt Bowen. There will be points, but the potential for a landslide should not be discounted. Last year the Storm raged in the north with a 58-12 demolition. A season earlier the 'Boys crunched Melbourne 40-8. It's a tough ask to back up from Monday night but the Storm proved their tenacity in Canberra._*Raman's tip: Storm_ Titans v Warriors* The Titans are home for the fifth time in seven rounds and will be favourites to stay unbeaten at Robina and atop the NRL ladder. The Warriors have leaked a shocking 181 points in four matches on foreign turf this season while the Gold Coast have scored 108 points in the comfort of Skilled Park. Scott Prince is not the form half-back in the game for nothing - he leads the NRL for line-break and try assists. New Zealand have the potential with ball in hand but are really starting to miss Steve Price up front (ranked 14th for hit ups in NRL) and will be challenged by the tireless and mobile Titans pack. The Warriors were victorious at the Coast last year but have won only two of their last nine matches away from Auckland. The Gold Coast are a prime example of a well-drilled, cohesive unit and when everyone knows their job they win._*Raman's tip: Titans_ Sharks v Tigers* Speculation is rife in the Shire about a possible player swap deal between Brett Kimmorley and Dragons prop Jason Ryles. Add to that the recent signing of Anthony Tupou and Ricky Stuart's commitments to the Test side, Sharks fans will be hoping their side's focus is squarely on the field. Cronulla's four wins this season have come at a combined margin of 11 points but their confidence may be dented after last week's golden point loss. The Tigers welcome back Benji Marshall and together with Mathew Head there will be prime opportunities for Wests' razzle dazzle to take on the solid Sharks defence boosted by the return of Paul Gallen. The Tigers have a real stranglehold over the Sharks winning the last eight matches, three of which were in Cronulla. But last season's contests were separated by only one and two points respectively and this one promises to be just a tense._*Raman's tip: Tigers_ |
![]() www.rugbyleagueforum.com www.englishsportsboards.com | |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · The NRL · Next Topic » |

.jpg)








2:11 PM Jul 11