NRL preview - round 2
March 18th 2009 08:13
Despite all the lingering off field controversy surrounding Rugby League in Australia, the NRL experienced its greatest opening in terms of attendance, with over 150,000 people making their way through the turnstiles to see their favourite team kick off their 2009 Premiership campaign. Fans will once again be hoping this weeks NRL action overpowers the turmoil still plaguing it.
South Sydney Rabbitohs Vs Parramatta Eels
The Rabbitohs sit on top of the NRL ladder for the first time in many moons, on the back of their terrific performance against the Sydney Roosters. South Sydney fans will be out in force at ANZ stadium this Friday night to see if the glory is really making its way back to Redfern. The Parramatta Eels were their usual enigmatic self against the Warriors, but there were promising signs from key players Feleti Mateo and Jarryd Hayne. South Sydney are deserved favourites and one feels they will consolidate their great start to 2009 against an Eels team that is yet to show consistency over the full 80 minutes.
Brisbane Broncos Vs Melbourne Storm
Arguably the match of the round and potentially one of the games of the season. The last time these two teams met was in the 2008 semi-final, where Melbourne scored a try right on the siren to knock Brisbane out of the NRL premiership race, leaving 50,000 Broncos supporters shocked. No doubt Brisbane will be primed for this match and will come out of the blocks at 100 miles an hour. The Storm however are one of the few teams that have a winning record against Brisbane and it could easily continue this Friday night. The real interest in this game will be to see how former Storm boy Israel Folau performs against the team which he won a premiership with in his first year of NRL football. Expect a high scoring affair and a Storm victory.
St George Illawarra Dragons Vs Gold Coast Titans
Character and enthusiasm were in abundance in the Dragons loss to the Storm last Friday night. Wayne Bennett's men pushed the three time minor premiers to the sword at Olympic Park and nearly got the two competition points. However, the Wollongong faithful will expect nothing short of a victory against a Titans side that are yet to beat the Dragons in the three years they have played in the NRL. Although there is a first time for everything, the Dragons look the goods this year and Bennett will have them primed against a Gold Coast outfit that knows how to cause an upset or two.
Penrith Panthers Vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Many have predicted Penrith to finish season 2009 with the dreaded wooden spoon. Their performance last week against the Sharks however suggested the Panthers are prepared to compete despite the inexperienced roster they currently possess. Their maiden competition points however will not come easy, especially against an inform Bulldogs side that showed some menacing bite against reigning premiers the Manly Sea Eagles. Although Penrith's bid to blood new talent will pay off in the future, it will do little to mend a Bulldogs team that looks set to record a comfortable victory at the foot of the mountains.
Nth Qld Cowboys Vs Wests Tigers
The Cowboys and Tigers have forged a rivalry of sorts in recent seasons, which began in the 2005 Grand Final where the Tigers defeated the Cowboys to register their maiden premiership. The Cowboys showed a lot of promise last week, despite losing to the Broncos. Key players Johnathon Thurston and Matt Bowen once again combined to almost see Nth Qld snatch victory against Brisbane. Their combination will continue to evolve in the coming weeks. The Tigers were impressive against the Raiders, but question marks over their defence remain. Indeed Possession will be the key in this one and expect to see the Cowboys dominate it in front of their home fans.
Canberra Raiders Vs Sydney Roosters
One can not begin to imagine what the scoreline could end up here if the Roosters repeat last week's abysmal effort against the Raiders in Canberra. Brad Fittler's men have started 2009 poorly and face an acid test against a Raiders side that have established themselves as one of the most dangerous attacking units in the NRL. If both Canberra and Sydney show up with their best form, it should be a terrific spectacle. One feels though Canberra are primed to deliver on their home track. If the Roosters do not show up, they will be slaughtered and serious questions about the club's culture will need to be reviewed.
Manly Sea Eagles Vs New Zealand Warriors
The situation surrounding Brett Stewart has clearly clipped Manly's confidence and it could cop a further hiding if they are not switched on against the Warriors. The Sea Eagles did not resemble the premiers of last year, going down convincingly to the Bulldogs to start season 2009 on a sour note. The Warriors on the other hand did enough to beat the Eels without setting the world on fire. Manly however will bounce back strong at Brookvale which suggests this game could go right down to the wire. The absence of Stewart for Manly swings this game in New Zealand's favour.
Cronulla Sharks Vs Newcastle Knights
The Sharks have not had an easy week in the lead-up to their match against Newcastle, with Ben Ross, Brett Kearney and Brett Seymour all out of the side with injury and suspension. They did what they had to do against the Panthers but will need to improve substantially if they are to beat the Knights. Newcastle fell away against the Gold Coast, raising concerns for coach Brian Smith in regards to his team's ability to play the full eighty minutes. Barring any tumultuous weather conditions, the Sharks should sneak home against a Knights team that will provide them with their fair share of headaches.
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