New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers 

Mt Smart Stadium, Friday 6pm

Both sides last faced Manly with very different results. The New Zealanders fought right down to the wire before going down 26-22, while Penrith ended Manly’s five game winning streak by 16-8 in a controversial game.

But with both sides still two wins outside of the top eight, a loss in this clash could end their September dreams.

Issac Luke and Solomone Kata come in for New Zealand at the expense of Albert Vete and Nathaniel Roache and Penrith adds James Fisher-Harris to their line up.

One to look out for in the game will be the possible appearance of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad – a tough name to pronounce but everybody will soon know it. Despite being named as a reserve for this game, he has six tries from six appearances this year. If he plays, New Zealand’s attack gets a whole lot better.

Why New Zealand Warriors will win: Their attacking power easily matches that of Penrith with the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (11 combined tries and try assists this season) and Shaun Johnson (19 combined tries and try assists this season) in their squad. But it’s their defence that gets them over the line in this game with players like Simon Mannering (612 tackles this season) and Bodene Thompson (543 tackles this season) on a roll this season.

Our Tip: New Zealand by four.


Canberra Raiders vs St George Illawarra Dragons

GIO Stadium, Friday 7:50pm

Canberra were thoroughly outplayed in their last game against North Queensland, going down 31-18. Meanwhile St. George couldn’t muster up much of an attack against the Gold Coast and  went down 20-10. Canberra have been in very poor form by their standards this season and as a result sit three wins off a finals berth. A loss here and their season is pretty much over.

The only notable change to Canberra’s squad for this game is Josh Hodgson who return to their starting line-up. For St. George Taane Milne has been named in the starting thirteen while Matthew Duffy makes the bench.

The return of Hodgson will be influential. He has six try assists this season along with two tries from only 15 games. Along with his strong kicking game, he could be the difference between a win or a loss for Canberra.

Why Canberra Raiders will win: Canberra are the type of squad that can put up points in a hurry which is hardly a surprise with the likes of Joseph Leilua (nine tries this season) and Jordan Rapana (14 tries this season) in their team. They are playing against a team which has only scored 10, 10 and 2 points in three of their last four games. 

Our Tip: Canberra by six.

Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos

McDonald Jones Stadium, Saturday 5:30pm
Newcastle led Canterbury 18-8 with five minutes left in the game – but by full-time they had lost 20-18. Brock Lamb had a shocking game and Newcastle imploded. As for Brisbane, in a game supposedly showcasing two top four teams, only one of them showed up and they were absolutely hammered by Melbourne 42-12. Newcastle need a win against the Origin weary Brisbane side to be any hope of avoiding a third consecutive Wooden Spoon.

Dane Gagai has been named to play for Newcastle while David Mead has been omitted from Brisbane's squad through injury.

Only a few weeks ago, Ben Hunt was in reserve grade. On Wednesday night he was part of a winning Origin team. He has had a whirlwind season this year – and will be keen to show in this game why he was selected ahead of Dale Cherry-Evans and Corey Norman.

Why Brisbane Broncos will win: Newcastle’s last two games have both come against teams in the bottom four. If they couldn’t win those to avoid the Wooden Spoon, then there's next to no chance that they’ll beat a star-studded Brisbane side. Newcastle will be lucky to even get close to Brisbane.

Our Tip: Brisbane by 20.

 


Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

CBUS Super Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm
The Gold Coast came up with the goods  against St George with a 20-10 win in their last game to keep their season alive for another week, while Cronulla  turned the motors on to smash Sydney 44-12. A win for Cronulla would be massive in their pursuit of first place, but while Gold Coast's season is technically still alive, they are really just playing for pride now.

There are no changes to the Gold Coast’s line-up, while Kurt Capewell has come onto the the Sharks' interchange bench. His impact off the bench is under-appreciated with 136 tackles and two tries to his name this season.

Cronulla's go to man Ricky Leutele has six tries this season and bagged a double last weekend. In what should be a relatively high-scoring game, his try-scoring abilities will be crucial in getting Cronulla the two points.

Why Cronulla Sharks will win: These are two teams with very different seasons. Gold Coast are in 14th spot with only two wins from their past six games. Meanwhile Cronulla are second with six wins from eight. Despite the Gold Coast’s best efforts, this probably won’t be close.


Our Tip: Cronulla by 14.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs Wests Tigers 

Lottoland, Sunday 2pm
Manly have every right to feel hard done by over their 16-8 loss to Penrith after losing the penalty count 14-4 and being on the receiving end of a controversial try by Dallin Watene Zelezniak.

Wests almost scertainly dodged the Wooden Spoonwith a 33-12 victory over Newcastle Knights and a win here would at least give them a positive note in what has otherwise been a sour season for them...but a win for Manly keeps them in the chase for top spot.

Manly have named Jake Trbojevic in their starting squad while Wests welcome back both James Tedesco and Chris Lawrence.

Akuila Uate has been an absolute bargain-bin buy for Manly this yea with 10 tries from 15 games and will be looking to add to that tally against a poor Wests defence that has conceded 102 points in its last four games.

Why Manly Sea Eagles will win: Wests have nothing to play for while Manly have everything to lose. If that’s not enough, they’ll be determined to turn around last week's result and build on their five wins in their past seven clashes with the Orange & Black.

Our Tip: Manly by 18.

 

 

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Queensland Cowboys

Barlow Park, Sunday 4pm
With a host of Origin players missing for the Roosters last week, the Rabbitohs were tipped to be easy winners...but they never got that memo and South Sydney went down 14-12. For North Queensland, despite playing in absolutely freezing conditions (the game started at one degree), they still put on a masterclass to beat Canberra 31-18. Souths are currently four wins off a finals spot so it’s do or die for the Bunnies.

Robert Jennings has been named to start for South Sydney. For North Queensland Johnathan Thurston is out through injury.

Rabbitohs' star Cody Walker has 14 try assists this season to be equal third in the league. Against a stoic North Queensland team, he’ll have to be at his creative best for them to be within a shot of a much needed victory.

Why South Sydney Rabbitohs will win: Thurston is out and despite North Queensland having other attacking threats, he is their best player and will be missed and gives South Sydney a puncher's chance.

Our Tip: South Sydney by one.