Friday, March 28, 2008
NRL Week Three
After last week where the best effort I think I saw from any tipsters anywhere was 4 from 8 this week should see a return to form. If not then it may see some early retirements.
No time to elaborate on them tonight. It's poker night.
FRIDAY
Eels vs Knights
Eels by 8. - Eels to bounce back and deal the Knights their first loss of the year in their first game on the road.
Broncos vs Cowboys
Broncos by 13 - Brisbane to continue on their winning ways v a Cowboy team that may be waning.
SATURDAY
Roosters vs Storm
Roosters by 6 - One of the matches of the round. Storm out for redemption (they hardly ever know that losing feeling) while the Roosters will sense their vulnerability and knock them off.
Raiders vs Dragons
Raiders by 12 - Raiders to run them ragged. Dragons earnt themselves a week off (in their minds) after last weeks win and the Raiders are bastards to beat in Canberra.
Titans vs Sharks
Sharks by 6 - Gold Coast will have home ground advantage but the Sharks have eaten that for lunch in Rounds one and two. They'll do the same here and already look good for a top 4 spot come September.
SUNDAY
Panthers vs Rabbitohs
Panthers by 8 Rabbits look ordinary and Panthers look extra ordinary (notice the space). If Panthers don't win this then they are officially the worst team in the comp for the whole year.
Bulldogs vs Tigers
Bulldogs by 4 - Bulldogs to pull tighter after spinning the wheel and deciding it was Maitua's turn to get suspended for drunken stupidity and scrape a seesaw game by 4.
MONDAY
Sea Eagles vs Warriors
Sea Eagles by 8 - Very nasty start to the year for the Warriors and they may just ease off a touch following the win over the Eels. A desperate Sea Eagles side will muscle out a win on the back of a dangerous kicking game.
No time to elaborate on them tonight. It's poker night.
FRIDAY
Eels vs Knights
Eels by 8. - Eels to bounce back and deal the Knights their first loss of the year in their first game on the road.
Broncos vs Cowboys
Broncos by 13 - Brisbane to continue on their winning ways v a Cowboy team that may be waning.
SATURDAY
Roosters vs Storm
Roosters by 6 - One of the matches of the round. Storm out for redemption (they hardly ever know that losing feeling) while the Roosters will sense their vulnerability and knock them off.
Raiders vs Dragons
Raiders by 12 - Raiders to run them ragged. Dragons earnt themselves a week off (in their minds) after last weeks win and the Raiders are bastards to beat in Canberra.
Titans vs Sharks
Sharks by 6 - Gold Coast will have home ground advantage but the Sharks have eaten that for lunch in Rounds one and two. They'll do the same here and already look good for a top 4 spot come September.
SUNDAY
Panthers vs Rabbitohs
Panthers by 8 Rabbits look ordinary and Panthers look extra ordinary (notice the space). If Panthers don't win this then they are officially the worst team in the comp for the whole year.
Bulldogs vs Tigers
Bulldogs by 4 - Bulldogs to pull tighter after spinning the wheel and deciding it was Maitua's turn to get suspended for drunken stupidity and scrape a seesaw game by 4.
MONDAY
Sea Eagles vs Warriors
Sea Eagles by 8 - Very nasty start to the year for the Warriors and they may just ease off a touch following the win over the Eels. A desperate Sea Eagles side will muscle out a win on the back of a dangerous kicking game.
Friday, March 21, 2008
My NRL World Week II picks
I think I'll enjoy my/our lead as it will probably be shortlived as I slip back into mediocrity in the coming weeks. Hell, 5 from 8 is mediocre enough.
I'll expand on my comments which can be found here along with Sportsfreak and League Freak.
FRIDAY
Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs
Bulldogs by 8
"A tough one. The Rabbits may just get an awful start to the year and be back to the dark old days.” I'm definately off to my parents tonight so I can watch these games to actually see what sort of shape the Rabbits, Broncos and Roosters are really in. The Bulldogs showed the same attack that they have had for bloody decades with the likes of Mortimer and Lamb and more recently with a side stacked with flair. But then they also showed that tendency to just fold when the opposition got on a roll. Last week they conceded the biggest lead in their history but they have done the same thing many times, just not been in front by as much. Both sides will have a point to prove and the loser may start to worry a touch, especially since neither team will have left Sydney where its damn hard to pick up any points. I'll go for the Bulldogs but having read good things about aspects of the Rabbits game from week one I'm not in the slightest bit confident. Especially after re-reading my Bulldogs comments/pick from their last game last year.
Roosters vs Broncos
Roosters by 4
"Roosters played well last week v an average Rabbitohs team while the Broncos were on fire but at home and against a team which capitulated.”
Both teams face a similar problem in that they won convincingly in week one but v teams that didn't really turn up. This should be a very good game but I think I'll stick with the home team.
SATURDAY
Panthers vs Raiders
Panthers by 12
"If they can't bounce back from that hammering to beat a gutsy Raiders team who will try hard then they are heading for a shocker of a year.”
If the Raiders start well then they could well take the points but after watching a fair bit of their game v the Knights when I was flicking over during the Sharks - Sea Eagles game and seeing a bit of the replay later all I seemed to see was them defending. Theyw ere doing it well enough but the Knights aren't exactly leathal. The only other thing I have to go on is that the Panthers were attacking the Broncos line with the score at 16-6 and conceded an intercept. If they'd scored and made it 16-12 the game may have gone a slightly different way. Time will tell.
Knights vs Sea Eagles
Sea Eagles by 6
"The Knights will have gained a lot of confidence from last week but I just don't think they have the team to last for 80 v the Sea Eagles.”
That basically sums it all up. Sea Eagles will be desperate to get the ball rolling and this is a game where they can be expected to do that. If not then I'll be stoked.
Cowboys vs Tigers
Cowboys by 14
"The Cowboys should have way too much for a Tigers outfit that beat a ratshit team last week - especially with the bounce back factor that’s so common in the NRL"
Cowboys should win for the same reason that the Sea Eagles should. Plus they are at home. This must be the no-brainer of the week.
SUNDAY
Warriors vs Eels
Warriors by 2
"Somehow the Warriors will grind out a win. I just don't know how yet. I'll tell you after the game.”
After my pick in the Cowboys - Tigers game this pick probably indicates that I indeed have no brain. But we all know that the Warriors can turn it on at home and win more than they lose there. The loss of McKinnon is real bad, as is the loss of Price but they've won with him off at Origin duty before so it's not like they've never missed him. They just need several guys to step up in the forward pack and defend like animals for 80 minutes. Vatuvei not getting near the ball at certain times might help as well.
Storm vs Sharks
Storm by 4
"This will be a very interesting game - fast paced effective football versus slow paced effective football.”
You simply have to pick the Storm at home, but winning at Brookvale is nearly as impressive as winning in Melbourne so maybe the Sharks will have convinced themselves a win is possible. If the Storm don't find a new way of cheating maybe the Sharks could get over the line but I think the Storm will be a bit too clever.
MONDAY
Dragons vs Titans
Titans by 6
"If Nathan Brown didn't fire up the Dragons enough last week they'll never get fired up."
However, I wonder if they have the ability on the park to play the type of game needed. I'm picking the Titans but wouldn't be surprised if the Dragons bounce back to win it by 12 or more. We'll find out about 25 minutes into the game I suspect where many matches start to get blown apart.
25 minutes into round one saw:
Roosters 12 Rabbits 4
Titans 16 Cowboys 6
Bulldogs 8 Eels 0 (err, an exception to every rule)
Sea Eagles 6 Sharks 2 (the way the Sharks were hanging tough and the Sea Eagles were really getting no attacking opportunities was suggesting that an upset was on the cards, especially when they got up 8-6 by halftime).
Raiders 4 Knights 0 (OK, so I've blown this theory out of the water)
Broncos 8 Panthers 6
Tigers 18 Dragons 4
Storm 16 Warriors 6
I'll expand on my comments which can be found here along with Sportsfreak and League Freak.
FRIDAY
Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs
Bulldogs by 8
"A tough one. The Rabbits may just get an awful start to the year and be back to the dark old days.” I'm definately off to my parents tonight so I can watch these games to actually see what sort of shape the Rabbits, Broncos and Roosters are really in. The Bulldogs showed the same attack that they have had for bloody decades with the likes of Mortimer and Lamb and more recently with a side stacked with flair. But then they also showed that tendency to just fold when the opposition got on a roll. Last week they conceded the biggest lead in their history but they have done the same thing many times, just not been in front by as much. Both sides will have a point to prove and the loser may start to worry a touch, especially since neither team will have left Sydney where its damn hard to pick up any points. I'll go for the Bulldogs but having read good things about aspects of the Rabbits game from week one I'm not in the slightest bit confident. Especially after re-reading my Bulldogs comments/pick from their last game last year.
Roosters vs Broncos
Roosters by 4
"Roosters played well last week v an average Rabbitohs team while the Broncos were on fire but at home and against a team which capitulated.”
Both teams face a similar problem in that they won convincingly in week one but v teams that didn't really turn up. This should be a very good game but I think I'll stick with the home team.
SATURDAY
Panthers vs Raiders
Panthers by 12
"If they can't bounce back from that hammering to beat a gutsy Raiders team who will try hard then they are heading for a shocker of a year.”
If the Raiders start well then they could well take the points but after watching a fair bit of their game v the Knights when I was flicking over during the Sharks - Sea Eagles game and seeing a bit of the replay later all I seemed to see was them defending. Theyw ere doing it well enough but the Knights aren't exactly leathal. The only other thing I have to go on is that the Panthers were attacking the Broncos line with the score at 16-6 and conceded an intercept. If they'd scored and made it 16-12 the game may have gone a slightly different way. Time will tell.
Knights vs Sea Eagles
Sea Eagles by 6
"The Knights will have gained a lot of confidence from last week but I just don't think they have the team to last for 80 v the Sea Eagles.”
That basically sums it all up. Sea Eagles will be desperate to get the ball rolling and this is a game where they can be expected to do that. If not then I'll be stoked.
Cowboys vs Tigers
Cowboys by 14
"The Cowboys should have way too much for a Tigers outfit that beat a ratshit team last week - especially with the bounce back factor that’s so common in the NRL"
Cowboys should win for the same reason that the Sea Eagles should. Plus they are at home. This must be the no-brainer of the week.
SUNDAY
Warriors vs Eels
Warriors by 2
"Somehow the Warriors will grind out a win. I just don't know how yet. I'll tell you after the game.”
After my pick in the Cowboys - Tigers game this pick probably indicates that I indeed have no brain. But we all know that the Warriors can turn it on at home and win more than they lose there. The loss of McKinnon is real bad, as is the loss of Price but they've won with him off at Origin duty before so it's not like they've never missed him. They just need several guys to step up in the forward pack and defend like animals for 80 minutes. Vatuvei not getting near the ball at certain times might help as well.
Storm vs Sharks
Storm by 4
"This will be a very interesting game - fast paced effective football versus slow paced effective football.”
You simply have to pick the Storm at home, but winning at Brookvale is nearly as impressive as winning in Melbourne so maybe the Sharks will have convinced themselves a win is possible. If the Storm don't find a new way of cheating maybe the Sharks could get over the line but I think the Storm will be a bit too clever.
MONDAY
Dragons vs Titans
Titans by 6
"If Nathan Brown didn't fire up the Dragons enough last week they'll never get fired up."
However, I wonder if they have the ability on the park to play the type of game needed. I'm picking the Titans but wouldn't be surprised if the Dragons bounce back to win it by 12 or more. We'll find out about 25 minutes into the game I suspect where many matches start to get blown apart.
25 minutes into round one saw:
Roosters 12 Rabbits 4
Titans 16 Cowboys 6
Bulldogs 8 Eels 0 (err, an exception to every rule)
Sea Eagles 6 Sharks 2 (the way the Sharks were hanging tough and the Sea Eagles were really getting no attacking opportunities was suggesting that an upset was on the cards, especially when they got up 8-6 by halftime).
Raiders 4 Knights 0 (OK, so I've blown this theory out of the water)
Broncos 8 Panthers 6
Tigers 18 Dragons 4
Storm 16 Warriors 6
Labels: nrl, rugby league, tipping
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Ding ding, NRL round 2
Since I likely won't be near a computer tomorrow, I'd better get my picks in early. In terms of the great NRL intersite tipping competition, I think Yamis is the "official" BIR tipper. But I'll continue to call it like I see it, too, in my unofficial capacity. Both Yamis and I managed 5/8 picks last week, so it's neck-and-neck at this early stage.
But first, the cricket. Winner: whoever bats first.
Now on to the NRL:
Rabbitohs v Bulldogs: Hardly the match of the round. I have a small amount of admiration for the Rabbitohs given their history, and a fairly strong dislike of the Bulldogs, so I'll go with the home team. Rabbitohs by <12.
Roosters v Broncos: How much do I hate the Roosters? Answer = a lot. While they're hardly likely to be a walkover at home, the Broncos should be on a high after their surprisingly strong win over Penrith up in Brisbane in Round 1. Broncos by <12.
Panthers v Raiders: This is some dire shit. Both losers in round 1. I'll pick the Raiders by a nose.
Knights v Sea Eagles: The Knights will probably play well ... for about 15 minutes. The Sea Eagles, on the other hand, can be expected to play well for close to 80. Sea Eagles by 13+.
Cowboys v Tigers: Me, bet against the Cowboys at home? Not friggin' likely. Cowboys by <12.
Storm v Sharks: Yeah, I need to have a think about this one. Oh no I don't. Storm by 13+.
Warriors v Eels: I expect a good home crowd, but the Warriors without Price are going to struggle big time (losing McKinnon was bad enough). Eels by a nose.
Dragons v Titans: I'll pick the visiting team here 'cos the Dragons are pretty crap, and the Titans are showing some promise. Titans by <12.
But first, the cricket. Winner: whoever bats first.
Now on to the NRL:
Rabbitohs v Bulldogs: Hardly the match of the round. I have a small amount of admiration for the Rabbitohs given their history, and a fairly strong dislike of the Bulldogs, so I'll go with the home team. Rabbitohs by <12.
Roosters v Broncos: How much do I hate the Roosters? Answer = a lot. While they're hardly likely to be a walkover at home, the Broncos should be on a high after their surprisingly strong win over Penrith up in Brisbane in Round 1. Broncos by <12.
Panthers v Raiders: This is some dire shit. Both losers in round 1. I'll pick the Raiders by a nose.
Knights v Sea Eagles: The Knights will probably play well ... for about 15 minutes. The Sea Eagles, on the other hand, can be expected to play well for close to 80. Sea Eagles by 13+.
Cowboys v Tigers: Me, bet against the Cowboys at home? Not friggin' likely. Cowboys by <12.
Storm v Sharks: Yeah, I need to have a think about this one. Oh no I don't. Storm by 13+.
Warriors v Eels: I expect a good home crowd, but the Warriors without Price are going to struggle big time (losing McKinnon was bad enough). Eels by a nose.
Dragons v Titans: I'll pick the visiting team here 'cos the Dragons are pretty crap, and the Titans are showing some promise. Titans by <12.
Labels: league freak, nrl, tipping
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Great NRL Intersite Tipping Challenge
Thanks to the folk at Sportsfreak and my Aussie arch nemesis League Freak (no relation) we have set up an intersite tipping competition which will have our picks for each week and a running tally of them and those of the so called experts who should have an edge with the 'inside oil' they supposedly get (but clearly never pay any attention to).
Check it out and feel free to post your own picks here or there to compare yourself. You never know, if you are dedicated and adept (like us, errr, not) you may get picked up by a franchise for next season.
Last year I came in at 61.9% for the regular season and improved to 62.2% after the finals after picking 7 from 9 during showtime. My comrade dc_red ended the regular season at 60% flat and improved to 60.6% after picking 6 from 9.
I suppose 60% is about a par score. If you simply picked the home team to win every game you'd have scored 57.3% last season so certainly its nothing to write home about. But it's rare for anybody to go over 70%. That's the stuff dreams (and money) are made of.
If you were looking to play it safe I'd recommend the strategy of always picking the home team except for when you have one of the top sides (like Manly or Melbourne last year) playing away from home. But tipping like that's for pussies and we don't support no Panthers or Tigers round here.
Check it out and feel free to post your own picks here or there to compare yourself. You never know, if you are dedicated and adept (like us, errr, not) you may get picked up by a franchise for next season.
Last year I came in at 61.9% for the regular season and improved to 62.2% after the finals after picking 7 from 9 during showtime. My comrade dc_red ended the regular season at 60% flat and improved to 60.6% after picking 6 from 9.
I suppose 60% is about a par score. If you simply picked the home team to win every game you'd have scored 57.3% last season so certainly its nothing to write home about. But it's rare for anybody to go over 70%. That's the stuff dreams (and money) are made of.
If you were looking to play it safe I'd recommend the strategy of always picking the home team except for when you have one of the top sides (like Manly or Melbourne last year) playing away from home. But tipping like that's for pussies and we don't support no Panthers or Tigers round here.
Labels: league freak, nrl, rugby league, sportsfreak, tipping
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
NRL Week One 2008 stylz
Well, well, well, it's that time of the year again. Week one of the real RUGBY league season.
Stay tuned for a bit of a tipping collaboration website starting soon with another site. Details to come soon... just as soon as I cough, splutter, get them myself.
Anyway, lets see what we have to entertain us in round one. I'm only going to 'review' the first game properly as I can't be effed staying up all the night doing the rest.
Friday Night
Rabbitohs v Roosters
This is really anybody's guess, which is saying something for the NRL where every bloody game is anybody's guess. I'll start with the Roosters. Last year the Roosters were mud, until Brad Fittler took over from the quitting Anderson and fired them to within a point of making the top 8. They've signed O'Melley and Big Willie Mason ("Big" describes his body size and is in no way reflective of his brain mass) meaning they have the basis of a bloody tough forward pack. This is a bit unusual for the Roosters who are generally the pretty, rich boy poofs of the NRL. Mason said on the news tonight that nobody likes the Rabbitohs and neither does he. Shame for him that EVERYBODY HATES the Roosters. They also have tackling machine who also goal kicks Craig Fitzgibbon, Anthony Tupou, Danny Nutley and Nate Myles in the forwards which will mean headaches for many sides. They also have a decent backline with Mitchell Pierce (son of Wayne, who my mum used to fancy especially after meeting him in the 80s at an Auckland league awards ceremony) at half and Braith Anastha who is perenial winner of the most over rated player award by his peers. He's actually not a bad footballer though. He's just over rated. And add to them Anthony "the count (cos he looks like the one of Sesame Street)" Minichello, Amos Roberts and Kiwi Sam Perret (that's his legal name) and they'll put some tries on you if your poncing about.
On to the Rabbitohs. Three colours sum up the Rabbitohs again this year. Red, green and ... brown. Let me spell out what I mean: Craig Wing, Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell, David Fa'alogo, Nathan Merritt, Manase Manuokafoa, Jaiman Lowe, Jeremy Smith and Nigel Vagana. And they will be wearing red and green.
I think there's going to be a fair bit of bash and crash first up as the Rabbitohs have some meat in the engine room and the Roosters pack will be out to make a statement (though if Mason makes it nobody will understand what it meant, and will just want to punch him in the face). So I think the game will be won outwide and maybe, just maybe the Roosters have an edge there.
So... Roosters by 10 for me.
Titans v Cowboys
An all Queensland affair here, though the Gold Coast and Townsville probably have some err, subtle differences in terms of demographics.
If it was at NQ then I'd have to pick the Cowboys but down in the slums of the GC I think I may just ... still pick the Cowboys to ruin the suntanned Titanites night. Cowboys by 8.
Saturday
Eels v Bulldogs
Right, by this stage I am probably 0-2 and thankfully barring a bloody disaster can bank on an Eels win because the Bulldogs are imploding before the year even starts. They have a lot of quality players but too much infighting and a lack of intesticular fortitude from the Bulldogs most of the time should see the Eels take it out by 14. But I don't much like either team so I don't give a stuff who wins as long as both sets of fans fight like they usually do to remind us all of how fucking dumb Eels and Bulldogs fans are.
Sea Eagles v Sharks
You've gotta go with the Sea Eagles at home here. They probably are borderline top 4 on paper at best but Dessie Hasler seems to get the best out of them and they are a bloody organised, firing on all cylanders side. The Sharks on the other hand are predicted to make the top 8 in some quarters but even though they are always there or thereabouts I just can't see it with their mediocre backline. Sea Eagles by 13.
Knights v Raiders
If you're picking a game to miss this should be it. The Knights went from being one of the most feared teams in the comp to nothing about as fast as Joey Johns could say, 'I'm qutting and I quite like getting wasted on drugs". You have to go with the Raiders in this game but the Knights will know that a big start is crucial and its a home game v a middle of the road team so I think I'll stick my neck out and say Knights by 4 to get one of their few wins this season.
Sunday
Broncos v Panthers
The Broncos have shed some kgs (ie. Civinoceva to the opposition Panthers) but should still maybe, just scrape out a ... loss. Look for Pritchard and Puletua to do some damage and pip the Broncos by 8 (that's pip, not tip).
Tigers v Dragons
Tigers hopefully by 80.
Monday
Storm v Warriors
Bad start for the Warriors with a fighting 16 point loss after sort of being in the game for 60 minutes. Some skinny fast prick will smoke us near the end to blow the score out. The Storm are a good chance of repeating this year.
and in the Super 14 thank god the Crusaders and Blues are coming home. But I highly recommending avoiding watching any games at all costs unless one of those two teams is involved.
Stay tuned for a bit of a tipping collaboration website starting soon with another site. Details to come soon... just as soon as I cough, splutter, get them myself.
Anyway, lets see what we have to entertain us in round one. I'm only going to 'review' the first game properly as I can't be effed staying up all the night doing the rest.
Friday Night
Rabbitohs v Roosters
This is really anybody's guess, which is saying something for the NRL where every bloody game is anybody's guess. I'll start with the Roosters. Last year the Roosters were mud, until Brad Fittler took over from the quitting Anderson and fired them to within a point of making the top 8. They've signed O'Melley and Big Willie Mason ("Big" describes his body size and is in no way reflective of his brain mass) meaning they have the basis of a bloody tough forward pack. This is a bit unusual for the Roosters who are generally the pretty, rich boy poofs of the NRL. Mason said on the news tonight that nobody likes the Rabbitohs and neither does he. Shame for him that EVERYBODY HATES the Roosters. They also have tackling machine who also goal kicks Craig Fitzgibbon, Anthony Tupou, Danny Nutley and Nate Myles in the forwards which will mean headaches for many sides. They also have a decent backline with Mitchell Pierce (son of Wayne, who my mum used to fancy especially after meeting him in the 80s at an Auckland league awards ceremony) at half and Braith Anastha who is perenial winner of the most over rated player award by his peers. He's actually not a bad footballer though. He's just over rated. And add to them Anthony "the count (cos he looks like the one of Sesame Street)" Minichello, Amos Roberts and Kiwi Sam Perret (that's his legal name) and they'll put some tries on you if your poncing about.
On to the Rabbitohs. Three colours sum up the Rabbitohs again this year. Red, green and ... brown. Let me spell out what I mean: Craig Wing, Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell, David Fa'alogo, Nathan Merritt, Manase Manuokafoa, Jaiman Lowe, Jeremy Smith and Nigel Vagana. And they will be wearing red and green.
I think there's going to be a fair bit of bash and crash first up as the Rabbitohs have some meat in the engine room and the Roosters pack will be out to make a statement (though if Mason makes it nobody will understand what it meant, and will just want to punch him in the face). So I think the game will be won outwide and maybe, just maybe the Roosters have an edge there.
So... Roosters by 10 for me.
Titans v Cowboys
An all Queensland affair here, though the Gold Coast and Townsville probably have some err, subtle differences in terms of demographics.
If it was at NQ then I'd have to pick the Cowboys but down in the slums of the GC I think I may just ... still pick the Cowboys to ruin the suntanned Titanites night. Cowboys by 8.
Saturday
Eels v Bulldogs
Right, by this stage I am probably 0-2 and thankfully barring a bloody disaster can bank on an Eels win because the Bulldogs are imploding before the year even starts. They have a lot of quality players but too much infighting and a lack of intesticular fortitude from the Bulldogs most of the time should see the Eels take it out by 14. But I don't much like either team so I don't give a stuff who wins as long as both sets of fans fight like they usually do to remind us all of how fucking dumb Eels and Bulldogs fans are.
Sea Eagles v Sharks
You've gotta go with the Sea Eagles at home here. They probably are borderline top 4 on paper at best but Dessie Hasler seems to get the best out of them and they are a bloody organised, firing on all cylanders side. The Sharks on the other hand are predicted to make the top 8 in some quarters but even though they are always there or thereabouts I just can't see it with their mediocre backline. Sea Eagles by 13.
Knights v Raiders
If you're picking a game to miss this should be it. The Knights went from being one of the most feared teams in the comp to nothing about as fast as Joey Johns could say, 'I'm qutting and I quite like getting wasted on drugs". You have to go with the Raiders in this game but the Knights will know that a big start is crucial and its a home game v a middle of the road team so I think I'll stick my neck out and say Knights by 4 to get one of their few wins this season.
Sunday
Broncos v Panthers
The Broncos have shed some kgs (ie. Civinoceva to the opposition Panthers) but should still maybe, just scrape out a ... loss. Look for Pritchard and Puletua to do some damage and pip the Broncos by 8 (that's pip, not tip).
Tigers v Dragons
Tigers hopefully by 80.
Monday
Storm v Warriors
Bad start for the Warriors with a fighting 16 point loss after sort of being in the game for 60 minutes. Some skinny fast prick will smoke us near the end to blow the score out. The Storm are a good chance of repeating this year.
and in the Super 14 thank god the Crusaders and Blues are coming home. But I highly recommending avoiding watching any games at all costs unless one of those two teams is involved.
Labels: nrl, rugby league, tipping
