The following are previews with betting tips for Round 13 of the 2019 NRL season.
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Rabbitohs v KnightsFri, Jun 7, 6.00pm |
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In the aftermath of Origin I, a depleted South Sydney outfit will take on the resurgent Knights with the Novacastrians producing a massive win over the Roosters in their last match before the bye last week. Newcastle will be a huge test for Souths, whose seven-game winning streak was halted by Parramatta last week in what could be the beginning of a difficult representative period for the club.
Wayne Bennett has named Dane Gagai, Damien Cook and Cameron Murray to back-up from Origin I, while Adam Reynolds has been ruled out indefinitely with a back injury in a massive blow for the club as Connor Tracey shapes as his likely replacement. Cody Walker will be rested with new signing James Roberts set to take the field in a huge boost to Souths’ outside-back depth. Newcastle have similarly named their Origin stars Kalyn Ponga and David Klemmer to return from Origin I but both could be rested with their potential replacements yet to be confirmed.
With limited Origin representation and having enjoyed a bye last week, expect an energetic performance from Newcastle that will contrast against Souths’ struggle with injuries in recent weeks. Newcastle have been building into some fantastic form and will be desperate to retain their coveted top-four position. Expect the Knights to get the win.
Betting Tip: Knights H2H @ $2.30 (Beteasy)
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Tigers v RaidersFri, Jun 7, 7.55pm |
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Tigers coach Michael Maguire will be keenly aware of his squad’s opportunity to climb back up the competition ladder during the representative period and will expect a big turnaround after a disappointing loss to the Rabbitohs in their last match. The joint-venture will face a Raiders outfit who narrowly avoided their fourth consecutive loss last week with a two-point victory over the Bulldogs as the Canberra club battles injuries and their highest Origin representation in recent seasons.
Moses Mybe’s limited game-time in Origin I should see the Tigers captain return at fullback in an otherwise unchanged squad. Meanwhile, the Raiders have named Jack Wighton, Josh Papalii and Nick Cotric to return from Wednesday night’s game with Jordan Rapana also back on the wing in a big boost for the club.
The contrasting pressure on both clubs due to Origin and injuries will see Wests enter the match as heavy favourites as this period shapes as a massive test of Canberra’s new-found mental fortitude this year. Expect a big response from the Tigers after a bye last week with the joint-venture to get the points.
Betting Tip: Tigers -1.5 @ $1.95 (Sportsbet)
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Warriors v StormSat, Jun 8, 3.00pm |
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Despite their dismal start to the season, there are a number of positive signs for the Warriors, particularly since the mid-season acquisition of former Broncos halfback Kodi Nikorima. The New Zealand club will face a massive test in hosting the Storm this week, with the impact of Melbourne’s heavy representative toll likely to be tempered by a bye last week for the Victorian club.
The Storm have named an unchanged line-up from their last-start victory against the Bulldogs with Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi and Will Chambers all set to back-up from Origin I, although any of those four players could be a late scratching from the final 17. The Warriors have named only one change as Tevita Satae replaced Jazz Tevaga on the interchange.
With the Warriors one of the few clubs to have no players selected for Origin I, coach Stephen Kearney will be expecting his troops to lift during the representative period in a bid to drag themselves back up the competition ladder with only four wins from eleven games. While Melbourne face a difficult away trip for this match, last week’s bye and their recent form should see the Victorians get the points.
Betting Tip: Storm -4.0 @ $1.95 (Pointsbet)
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Sharks v EelsSat, Jun 8, 5.30pm |
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Last week’s bye came at a fortunate time for the Sharks, who have miraculously managed three wins from their last four games despite a horrendous injury toll. The club were last victorious against a depleted Dragons squad in round eleven and will now look to the under-performing Eels. Parramatta last produced a solid win over a depleted South Sydney outfit as the club faces a much bigger challenge in a Cronulla team who have repeatedly shown they can thrive under adversity.
Eels coach Brad Arthur has named an unchanged squad from last week, while the Sharks will welcome Aaron Gray on the wing as Josh Morris looks set to be rested after Origin I. Wade Graham and Shaun Johnson have been named in the reserves as they look to make their respective injury return in what would be an enormous boon for their club.
Cronulla will enter the match as firm favourites and the Eels have a long way to go before they can be backed as favourites against a team with the toughness and experience of the Sharks’ 17. Expect Cronulla to get the points.
Betting Tip: Sharks -4.5 @ $1.95 (Sportsbet)
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Cowboys v Sea EaglesSat, Jun 8, 7.35pm |
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North Queensland managed a gritty two-point win over the Titans last week, but with a mounting injury toll, the Cowboys may struggle during the representative period. They will face a Manly outfit who have come off the boil in recent weeks after producing superb form earlier this season as Des Hasler’s troops look to avoid their third consecutive loss.
The disappointment of Manly’s last-start loss to the struggling Panthers will be tempered by the return of superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic, which will be a massive boost for the club with Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic also named in the reserves. Meanwhile, a terrible injury toll in his back-line has forced Cowboys mentor Paul Green to name Michael Morgan at fullback after Origin I, with the club backing a Clifford-Asiata halves pairing. Josh McGuire is also set to back-up with Enari Tuala returning on the wing and Reuben Cotter set to make his NRL debut off the bench.
Manly’s recent form will see the Cowboys enter the match as firm favourites, particularly if Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic fail to back-up from Origin. Both teams will field massively under-strength 17’s but expect the Cowboys to get the points.
Betting Tip: Cowboys -2.0 @ $1.90 (Beteasy)
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Broncos v TitansSun, Jun 9, 2.00pm |
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Brisbane have turned around a dismal start to their year with three consecutive wins, producing a gritty victory over the Warriors in their last match. Their opposition in the Titans continue to struggle after a narrow loss to the Cowboys last week has the club desperate to lift themselves from equal-last on the competition ladder.
Andrew McCullough and Thomas Flegler will return from injury off the bench in a big boost for Brisbane with Payne Haas, Matt Gillett, Joe Ofahengaue and David Fifita all named to back-up from Origin I. Meanwhile, the Titans have named only one change with Jai Arrow’s return at lock pushing Jack Stockwell to the reserves.
The Broncos will be looking to continue their form surge and avoid a mid-season slump with Origin likely to take a heavy toll on the Brisbane club. Expect the Titans to lift for the Queensland derby as they often do, having produced a number of upsets over Brisbane in recent seasons. However, the Titans’ Achilles heel in 2019 has been their under-performing spine, while Anthony Seibold has seemingly unleashed Anthony Milford’s best as game-management has become one of Brisbane’s primary strengths. Broncos to get the win.
Betting Tip: Broncos -8.0 @ $1.91 (Bet365)
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Panthers v RoostersSun, Jun 9, 4.05pm |
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Consecutive wins for the Panthers has breathed life into their spluttering season, but their finals chances are still on life-support as the Penrith club sits only one win from the bottom of the competition ladder. They will face a huge test against the Roosters this week, particularly after the reigning premiers were humbled in a devastating 38-12 loss to Newcastle in round eleven.
Viliame Kikau and Wayde Egan will return for Penrith with Nathan Cleary’s inclusion in the final 17 still unconfirmed after he was named in the reserves. Meanwhile, the Roosters have named James Tedesco, Boyd Cordner, Latrell Mitchell and Angus Crichton to back-up from Origin I, with Cooper Cronk also set to return in a massive boon for the club. Drew Hutchison has been named to replace the injured Luke Keary at five-eight with Zane Tetevano also included on the bench.
The Roosters will enter the match as firm favourites as the bye enjoyed by the reigning premiers last week should limit the impact of their heavy representative toll. Penrith will need a herculean performance to win this match but expect a big response from Trent Robinson’s troops after conceding their worst loss of the year in round eleven. Roosters to get the points.
Betting Tip: Roosters -6.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)
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Bulldogs v DragonsMon, Jun 10, 4.00pm |
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St George have again failed to shake the ‘fader’ tag this season as a five-game losing streak has the joint-venture club sitting only one win from the bottom of the competition ladder. They will face a Bulldogs team who were brave in a narrow loss to Canberra last week with the Canterbury club’s inexperienced roster continuing to punch above their weight.
The Bulldogs look set to field an unchanged 17 for this game, with Dylan Napa a possible late inclusion after he was named in the reserves following Origin I. Meanwhile, the Dragons have named Origin trio Ben Hunt, Tyson Frizell and Paul Vaughan in the reserves with Matt Dufty and Corey Norman set to return at fullback and five-eighth respectively. Jeremy Latimore, Josh Kerr and Lachlan Timm have all been included on the bench but could make way if the Dragons’ Origin trio back-up for this match.
Despite their recent form, St George will enter the match as favourites. The return of Corey Norman will be a massive boost for the struggling club, whose play-making stocks have been ravaged by a terrible injury toll. At their best, Canterbury can produce an upset, but expect St George to get the win.
Betting Tip: Dragons -3.5 @ $1.90 (Pointsbet)
Best Bets
Knights H2H @ $2.30 (Beteasy)
Tigers -1.5 @ $1.95 (Sportsbet)