NRL Round Eight Preview

Friday Night, April 28
Penrith vs Cronulla
CUA (Penrith) Stadium, Penrith - 7:30pm.

Channel 9 Replay from 8:30pm (NSW/QLD).
Check local guides for other areas.

The opening clash of round eight brings together two teams who have been playing tight matches all season, with the Panthers having been involved in the only two golden point games of the season and the Sharks featuring in five matches that were decided by six points or less.

While the Sharks will be on a high after downing the previously undefeated Cowboys at Shark Park last week in what was a tough hard game of football played at a frenetic pace, the Panthers were well below par against the tough Brisbane team at Suncorp, and to succeed in this game Penrith will most certainly have to lift their game.

The panthers will greatly miss, Tony Puletua, Luke Lewis and to a lesser extent Craig Gower, as Luke Priddis can ably fill in for him, while the Sharks are only missing Brett Kimmorley, and that may prove a blessing, as their Adam Dykes led attack looked more dangerous than the attack led by Kimmorley.

Former panther Ben Ross, can expect a rough reception when he goes head to head with former front row partner and house mate Joel Clinton.

Key Match Up: Luke Rooney vs Luke Covell

Both of these wingers should at least be pushing for city verses country origin selection, and while Rooney has been down on form so far this season, Covell has looked to be in good touch for the Sharks. Not only has his goal kicking been on song again, but his ball returns from opposition kicks, have been strong and made his team plenty of ground. Something Rooney used to be known for.

Both Penrith and the Sharks score a lot of points through their wingers, and rely upon their kick returns to set up their attack, so this should be a good battle.

Saturday Night, April 29
North Queensland vs Sydney Roosters
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville - 5:30pm.

Live on Fox Sports One.

The Roosters on the other hand had problems in defence and were found to be especially susceptible to kicks in behind the line by the Dragons on Tuesday. Not only that but their attack was stilted and they looked pedestrian.

Ashley Harrison and Braith Anasta were the two biggest buys of the off-season but are struggling to fit into the Roosters side, especially Anasta. The man who was touted early on in his career as the next Brad Fittler has not come close to filling the gaping hole Fittler left at Bondi Junction. In fact if Anasta continues to look lost and perform so poorly, coach Ricky Stuart might have to bring himself out of retirement, to make up for his sides lack of attack.

Key match Up: Aaron Payne vs Craig Wing

Both teams get a great amount of go forward from their two starting hookers, and they often look the most dangerous when these players have the ball in their hands. Payne and Wing alike make a lot of breaks out of dummy half and can split opposing sides wide open up the middle where it is the pet play for fullbacks Bowen and Minichiello to run off them as a support player. While Wing is established Payne is just making a name for himself and could be a bolter for Origin selection this year.

If the Roosters are to have any chance Craig Wing needs to have an impact, he is their best player and almost their only attacking weapon.

Saturday Night
Brisbane vs Canberra
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - 7:30pm.

Replay on Fox Sports One @ 9:20pm.

Canberra have also exceeded expectations of them early this season, and have come into their own, with stellar performances from players like Alan Tongue and Craig Frawley, to back up the class of captain Clinton Schifcofske, and pivot Jason Smith.

This match may be closer than many think and the Raiders could very well give the Broncos a tough game if their forward pack can measure up. To do that discarded Bronco Tom Learoyd-Lars must lead from the front and show all of his considerable talent against a Broncos pack, which can only be described as daunting.

Key match Up: Darren Lockyer vs Jason Smith

This battle between two greats of the game should be a joy to watch. Both players play with great tactical nouse, and have excellent kicking games to boot. They are the class players in their respective teams, and can conjure up something from nothing.

Smith may have to be wary of the speed of Lockyer, but Lockyer must be wary of the physical strength of Smith, former origin team-mates, who will use their heads, and play smart football to get the better of each other.

Saturday Night
Melbourne Storm vs St George-Illawarra
Olympic Park, Melbourne - 7:30pm.

Live on Fox Sports One.

This is clearly the match of the round with the in form Melbourne Storm taking on the might of the St George Illawarra Dragons.

While the Storm are flying high, the Dragons have most definitely found something extra in their play since Matthew Head returned to the fold, and his scheming runs, flat passing and deft kicking game have given the Dragons, oodles more options in attack, and the creativity they so desperately need to perform as a cohesive unit.

For the Storm a lot of responsibility has been placed on the young shoulders of Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis respectively, and while they keep performing, the Storm will go well, though they do face their acid test this week, coming up against one of the best sides in the competition.

I would suggest for the Dragons, that both Wes Naiqama and Jason Ryles will not play this week, due to injuries sustained in the Anzac day game against the Roosters Naiqama (ankle) and Ryles (hand), but will be ably replaced by Reece Simmonds and Luke Bailey respectively.

The Storm have come up with some shocking selections of their own with Ryan Hoffman being named at centre, although there is a suggestion Chris Walker may come into the side on the wing pushing Jake Webster into the centres, and Hoffman to the bench.

The biggest issue is clearly Craig Bellamy’s decision to drop NSW and club foundation player Scott Hill to reserve grade for North Sydney. This move has caused uproar at the club when it has been going so well, and Hill has publicly criticised the coach and the club’s management, hinting that they may be trying to push him out. Leaving many to ask the question ‘is there trouble brewing in Melbourne’?

Key Match Up: Cooper Cronk vs Matt Head

While Head may have not played rep football yet, he is one of the best halfbacks in the game, and Cronk will have to play at his best to be the equal of Head, not only that but his forward pack will have to give him the platform on which to build. If this does not eventuate then the creative Head will cause the Storm all manner of problems in defence and the Dragons will run away with the game.

Sunday Afternoon, April 30
NZ Warriors vs Bulldogs
Ericsson Stadium, Auckland - 2:00pm (local), 12:00pm (AEST).

Live on Fox Sports One.

Say what you like about the Warriors but they have been a much improved team this year under coach Ivan Cleary, they have gained the discipline they were sorely lacking, and have won more matches than many expected they would have thus far. They may have only routed Souths last week, but they did it with the style and flair that saw them reach a Grand Final three years ago. A great deal of this has been due the the combination of Tony Martin and Clinton Toopi in the centres who have both found form again this season, similar to the years when they both played in Grand Finals Martin for the Storm and Toopi for the Warriors.

The Bulldogs though have been hot and cold, and their capitulation to Manly last week would have coach Steve Folkes fuming, expect them to take the challenge up the middle of the park to the Warriors forwards, possibly making this a low scoring contest, and the back end of the game interesting as the small men from each side look to take over. Happily for the Bulldogs Mark O’Meley has regained his starting spot, and will look to further cement it this week. This game could go either way very easily.

Key match Up: Ruben Wiki vs Mark O’Meley

Tough, hard and passionate are three words to describe both these men, and they will take it to each other all game long. Shrek has been great for the Dogs this season, while Wiki has been a rock for the Warriors in the middle of the park. Neither of these big men will take a backward step, and the man who wins this war of attrition may well see his side claim victory.

Sunday Afternoon
South Sydney vs Newcastle
Telstra Stadium, Sydney - 2:30pm.

Live on Fox Sports One.

Will the Bunnies finally win one? Will someone do their knee playing on this suspect surface and sue the NRL? The answer to both questions could very well be yes!

The Bunnies have got Newcastle without Joey Johns, meaning that the Knights will put on their usual inept display minus the great man, and even if he is fit, would you want to risk your best player who has a history of knee problems on this surface? The answer is doubtful.

Souths should rejoice this is their best chance tow in a game this season, and they should, nay they must take it with both hands. They have a squad that is on paper capable of beating the Knights.

They simply need to defend well, and let their attack do the rest, and it is an attack that are more than capable of scoring points. Merritt as fast and tricky, the MacDougall brothers big and strong, Hegarty has played Origin, while Ben Walker and Sutton can both be dynamic with the ball in their hands.

The Knights for their part looked lost last week and although none of them will say it publicly, genuinely seem to believe they cannot win without Johns. They have a problem to address and against Souths would be the perfect time, but their collective confidence is so low, it is hard to see them pulling this one off.

Key match Up: John Sutton vs Kurt Gidley

Sutton needs to show that the investment Souths have made in him is worthwhile, while Gidley needs to show he is not just in the team to make up the numbers and support Johns, and his more illustrious brother Matthew.

If either side is to win it is time for their over rated and over priced pivots to step it up and play a blinder. The size of Sutton alone should be enough for Souths to cause the upset, and Gidley is certainly no match for him in this department, but he does have a good kicking game that can drive the Knights around the park, and he will need to display it here.

Sunday Afternoon
Manly vs Parramatta
Sydney Cricket Ground - 3:00pm.

Channel 9 Replay from 4:00pm (NSW/QLD).
Check local guides for other areas.

While Manly are taking a risk not playing the rejuvenated Eels at Brookvale, they have oozed class all season, and it is by no accident that they are near the top of the ladder. The majority of their squad is in great form, Brett Stewart is scoring at will, Steve Bell and Steve Matai are proving to be tough to handle in attack, Matt Orford looks like the buy of the season and is thriving, Ben Kennedy is on fire, and Steve Menzies is playing well, he is playing like Steve Menzies.

To then look at the Eels it is by no accident that they are propping up the table, with only Wade McKinnon, and Timana Tahu in really decent form. Jeremy Smith lived up to the hype last week, and has injected fresh playmaking ability into the Eels attack, especially as Tim Smith seems to have lost his touch.

The Eels “stars” need to pull their weight in this one, or they will receive the same punishment as the Bulldogs did at the weekend, and another crisis meeting may be on the horizon for the beleaguered blue and gold.

Key match Up: Matt Orford vs Tim Smith

Orford is firing. Smith is not! Smith needs to at least look like he wants to play this week, as if Orford gets a free reign, and the young Eels half once again does nothing, then the Eels will get hammered by a better team, Orford also gets the chance to continue to push for an Origin spot, something that he would dearly love and a dominant display here would only help his cause.

Bye: Wests Tigers.

Note: All kick-off times Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) unless stated.

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