NRL Preview- Rd 10
May 14th 2008 10:27
The Melbourne Storm will be without many stars this weekend.
With many NRL teams being deprived of their Origin stars this weekend, Teams such as the Dragons, Sea Eagles and Tigers have great opportunities to snatch two competition points from their rivals this weekend.
Sydney Roosters Vs Parramatta Eels
The Eels are practically at full strength with only winger Jarryd Hayne missing from their line-up. The Roosters on the other hand have had their star studded forward pack stripped to the bone after Willie Mason, Craig Fitzgibbon, Anthony Tupou and Nate Myles all earned Origin starts for both New South Wales and Queensland. The Roosters have lost their past four games against the Eels and will find it very tough to stick with an Eels pack containing the likes of Mateo, Hindmarsh and Moi Moi. In the end it all depends on which Parramatta team turns up. If they are switched on, they will win this but the Roosters will fancy their chances.
Gold Coast Titans Vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Scott Prince's omission from the QLD origin squad has left the Titans at full strength with inspirational forward Luck Bailey returning from injury. The Bulldogs on the other hand welcome back Sonny Bill Williams and Luke Patten after they were sorely missed against the Panthers. This game could get very ugly for the Bulldogs if the likes of Friend, Prince and Campbell dominate the ruck for the Titans. Steve Folkes's men will have to be switched on in defence to have any chance of staying in this contest. In the end the Titans are playing terrific football at home and look to have too much fire power for the Canterbury outfit.
St George Illawarra Dragons Vs Melbourne Storm
If the Dragons are fair dinkum of beating the reigning premiers, this is the week to do it. The Storm will be without nine regular first graders including superstars Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Billy Slater and Cam Smith. Although the Dragons will be without Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper and Ben Hornby, they still should have too much fire power in the forwards where Ryles looks set to dominate. The Dragons would be stupid to let this game slip but this side is capable of doing anything. They should win though.
Manly Sea Eagles Vs Nth Qld Cowboys
Last year's grand finalists have hardly been affected by Origin this season with Brett Stewart the only one picked for the Blues. The Cowboys though have been stripped of all their fire power with the likes of Thurston, Lillyman and Webb all missing this game through Origin commitments. Unfortunetly for the Cowboys, their chances of winning this game are as remote as the Gaza desert. Their chances are significantly pinned on the shoulders of Thurston and if his missing, Nth Qld go missing aswell. Expect a big win from Manly.
Cronulla Sharks Vs Brisbane Broncos
Like the Melbourne Storm, The Broncos will be without the majority of their stars for this weekend's trip to the shire where the Cronulla Sharks have lost their opening two home games. The Sharks, it has to be said, played very well against the Cowboys in Townsville and really looked switched for a good performance. The loss of Bird and Gallen for the Sharks will hurt them for this game but Brett Kimmorley will handle the situation with great composure. The Sharks must win this game at home if they truly aspire to be Premiership contenders.
Newcastle Knights Vs Wests Tigers
The return of Tigers dynamos Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah will ensure Tim Sheens's men plenty of points this Sunday afternoon. The Knights were gallant in defeat against the Melbourne Storm, but the loss of Gidley, Buderus and Cross to Origin and injury looks set to derail them big time. In all reality, the Tigers need only to turn up with their heads straight and they will post a big win against the Novacastrian's. Easier said than done though.
Penrith Panthers Vs NZ Warriors
The Panthers were clinical in dispossing the Bulldogs last Saturday evening. Good news is, they will practically have the same side that beat the Canterbury outfit with inspirational captain Petero Civonicieva the only player missing from their squad. The Warriors will fancy their chances against Penrith, who have been very ordinary at home this season. Both teams are displaying irregular form at present and this looks set to bring out a very close contest between these two sides. A real toss of the coin job and i think the Panthers will land on heads.
Canberra Raiders Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Raiders were awful last week in their loss to the Roosters and their injury toll just keeps getting worse. The Rabbitohs produced their first win of the season against the Cowboys two weeks and should be on a real high after such a spirited performance. However, Jason Taylor knows that this is a huge danger game for his side. The Raiders play like top eight contenders in Canberra and will be eager to make amends after such a poor showing against the chooks. South Sydney have what it takes to make it two wins on the trot but they must be very weary when playing in the nations capital.
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