NRL Round 20 Preview

The National Rugby League semi-final series is fast approaching and Round 20 signals the beginning of seven weeks sure to be filled with vital clashes and pivotal results.

If you thought picking a winner was tough work so far this season, it is unlikely to become any easier in the upcoming rounds.

We know that Brisbane will be there in September, most likely as minor premiers, but apart from Parramatta, no other team can be assured of a semi-final berth. The twelfth-placed Warriors are only three wins behind the third-placed Sharks and the Kiwis have the better points differential - every game is crucial!

Friday Night, July 22
Canterbury vs Brisbane
Telstra Stadium, Sydney - 7:30pm.

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

An excellent start to the weekend’s action. The reigning premiers have won four of their past five but face a huge test when they host the Broncos. Victory over the league leaders with Sonny Bill Williams and Luke Patten absent could give the Doggies a real psychological edge if they meet in the finals.

Brisbane have kicked well clear of the pack to take a firm grip of the minor premiership. They have an impressive 6-2 winning record on the road and will look forward to the challenge of a desperate Canterbury at Telstra Stadium. BRONCOS by 10.

BULLDOGS: Hazem El Masri, Jamaal Lolesi, Cameron Phelps, Reni Maitua, Matt Utai, Braith Anasta, Brent Sherwin, Mark O'Meley, Corey Hughes, Roy Asotasi, Nate Myles, Andrew Ryan (c), Tony Grimaldi. Interchange: Chris Armit, Adam Perry, Dallas McIlwain, Willie Mason.

BRONCOS: Karmichael Hunt, Scott Minto, Justin Hodges, Shaun Berrigan, Leon Bott, Darren Lockyer (c), Brett Seymour, Shane Webcke, Casey McGuire, Petero Civoniceva, David Stagg, Brad Thorn, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Corey Parker, Berrick Barnes, Dane Carlaw, Neville Costigan, Brent Tate, Darren Smith (two to be omitted).

Referee: Steve Clark.

FootyTAB: Bulldogs 1.5   Sporting Bet: Bulldogs - $1.93, Broncos - $1.80

Saturday Night, July 23
New Zealand vs Canberra
Ericsson Stadium, Auckland - 7:30pm Local (5.30pm AEDT)
Live on Fox Sports One.

The Warriors looked down and out with twenty minutes left against the Roosters last Saturday but three late tries may have just salvaged their season. Consecutive wins have been a struggle but perhaps the return of Steve Price can lift the side.

The Raiders upset second-placed Parramatta at home last week, making it three wins from the last four matches. Victory would push Canberra three wins clear of New Zealand on the ladder but it is likely that the Warriors will be breathing right down their neck after this result. WARRIORS by 12.

WARRIORS: Brent Webb, Francis Meli, Clinton Toopi, Jerome Ropati, Todd Byrne, Nathan Fien, Stacey Jones (c), Ruben Wiki, Lance Hohaia, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Sione Faumuina, Wairangi Koopu, Monty Betham. Interchange: Richard Villasanti, Karl Temata, Awen Guttenbeil, Simon Mannering.

RAIDERS: Clinton Schifcofske, Phil Graham, David Howell, Adam Mogg, Craig Frawley, Jason Smith, Todd Carney, Josh Miller, Lincoln Withers, Troy Thompson, Matt Adamson, Ian Hindmarsh, Jason Croker (c). Interchange: Alan Tongue, Ben Cross, Michael Hodgson, Tyran Smith, Michael Robertson, Jason Williams (two to be omitted).

Referee: Paul Simpkins.

FootyTAB: Raiders 8.5   Sporting Bet: Warriors - $1.35, Raiders - $3.00

Saturday Night
North Queensland vs Penrith
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville - 7:30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

The Cowboys have endured a down month, highlighted by a shocking defeat at home to South Sydney last Saturday night. North Queensland are still well placed for a top-four finish but cannot afford another slip-up in front of the home town fans.

Penrith tried valiantly to overcome a slow start against the Bulldogs last Friday night but, yet again, fell short. With Ben Ross joining Joe Galuvao in departing the Panthers at seasons end, an upset win against the Cowboys would be a rare bright spot in their season. You suspect they will go close but fail to seal the deal. COWBOYS by 4.

COWBOYS: Matt Bowen, Ty Williams, Josh Hannay, Paul Bowman, Matt Sing, Johnathan Thurston, Brett Firman, Paul Rauhihi, Aaron Payne, Shane Tronc, Steve Southern, Luke O'Donnell, Travis Norton (c). Interchange: Rod Jensen, David Faiumu, Jacob Lillyman, Mitchell Sargent.

PANTHERS: Rhys Wesser, Luke Lewis, Danny Galea, Paul Franze, Luke Rooney, Preston Campbell, Craig Gower (c), Joel Clinton, Luke Priddis, Ben Ross, Frank Pritchard, Shane Rodney, Trent Waterhouse. Interchange: Frank Puletua, Matthew Cross, Luke Swain, Joe Galuvao, David McLean (one to be omitted).

Referee: Sean Hampstead.

FootyTAB: Panthers 7.5   Sporting Bet: Cowboys - $1.40, Panthers - $2.75

Saturday Night
Parramatta vs Newcastle
Parramatta Stadium, Sydney - 7:30pm, Replay on Fox Sports One @ 9:20pm.

Second verses last does not sound like a great match-up but Parramatta will need to improve on last week’s effort in defeat to the Raiders. But a finals spot is theirs for the taking and with an excellent home record, a repeat of last week is highly unlikely.

Newcastle came very close to a third win in four games but Cronulla knocked them off in golden point extra time. The Knights could prove to be a real handful to those teams battling for finals spots and will put in a strong showing here. But the home side should recover this week. EELS by 10.

EELS: Wade McKinnon, Luke Burt, Ben Smith, Timana Tahu, Eric Grothe, John Morris, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), Mark Riddell, Paul Stringer, Nathan Hindmarsh, Glenn Morrison, Chad Robinson. Interchange: PJ Marsh, Dean Widders, Adam Peek, Aaron Cannings, Henry Perenara (one to be omitted).

KNIGHTS: Milton Thaiday, Trent Salkeld, Dustin Cooper, George Carmont, Anthony Quinn, Brad Tighe, Andrew Johns (c), Craig Smith, Danny Buderus, Josh Perry, Steve Simpson, Clint Newton, Reegan Tanner. Interchange: Adam Woolnough, Todd Lowrie, Daniel Tolar, Luke Quigley.

Referee: Shayne Hayne.

FootyTAB: Knights 11.5   Sporting Bet: Eels - $1.22, Knights - $3.85

Sunday Afternoon, July 24
Melbourne v Sydney Roosters
Olympic Park, Melbourne - 2.30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

Melbourne’s three-game winning streak was snapped by the Broncos, leaving them as one of six teams on 22 competition points. The Storm need to get over the disappointment of Matt Orford’s defection to Manly otherwise a golden opportunity to earn a home final may be lost.

What appeared to be a regulation win at home last Saturday turned into potentially a season defining moment. After giving up a match-winning lead to the Warriors, the Roosters dropped to eleventh spot and could drop further unless they beat the Storm. By the time Ryan Cross and Mick Crocker return, it may be too late. STORM by 7.

STORM: Billy Slater, Matt Geyer, Steve Bell, Matt King, Jake Webster, Cooper Cronk, Matt Orford, Robbie Kearns (c), Cameron Smith, Ian Donnelly, David Kidwell, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Dennis Scott, Jamie Feeney, Greg Inglis, Brett White, Tevita Metuisela (one to be omitted).

ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Amos Roberts, Chris Flannery, Iosia Soliola, Joel Monaghan, Jamie Soward, Brett Finch, Anthony Tupou, Craig Wing, Adrian Morley, Adam Schubert, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Ricketson (c). Interchange: Heath L'Estrange, Ned Catic, Richard Fa'aoso, George Rose.

Referee: Tony Archer.

FootyTAB: Roosters 8.5   Sporting Bet: Storm - $1.35, Roosters - $3.00

Sunday Afternoon
Wests Tigers vs South Sydney
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney - 3.00pm, Replay on Fox Sports One @ 6:00pm.

Fresh from the weekend off and three straight wins before that, the Tigers can take a step closer to finals football with victory over Souths. They have blown hot and cold over the course of the season but have played some exciting football in recent weeks.

The Rabbitohs caused a major surprise in Townsville, just a week after upsetting the Sharks. What can we expect this week? A third straight win over top-eight opposition would be a great effort but the Tigers have been in better form than the Sharks and Cowboys and should take the points. TIGERS by 12.

TIGERS: Brett Hodgson, Daniel Fitzhenry, Shane Elford, Paul Whatuira, Pat Richards, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince (c), Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah, John Skandalis, Anthony Laffranchi, Liam Fulton, Ben Galea. Interchange: Dean Collis, Dene Halatau, Chris Heighington, Todd Payten.

RABBITOHS: Luke MacDougall, Brad Watts, Adam MacDougall, Yileen Gordon, Shannon Hegarty, John Sutton, Beau Champion, Peter Cusack, Shane Walker, Scott Geddes, Bryan Fletcher, Luke Stuart, Ashley Harrison (c). Interchange: Mark Minichiello, David Fa'alogo, Todd Polglase, Manase Manuokafoa.

Referee: Russell Smith.

FootyTAB: Rabbitohs 9.5   Sporting Bet: Tigers - $1.30, Rabbitohs - $3.30

Sunday Afternoon
St George-Illawarra vs Cronulla
OKI Jubilee Stadium, Sydney - 3:00pm, Replay on Fox Sports One, Monday @ 11:00am.

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

St George-Illawarra sounded an ominous warning last Sunday at Brookvale, climbing to sixth spot with a big win over the Eagles. The Dragons have a tough month after this, playing the Roosters, Cowboys, Broncos and Eels, so victory over their fierce rivals from the Shire is extra important.

The Sharks would be in seventh spot right now had Vince Mellars not crossed for the match-winning try in extra time against the Knights. Instead, they sit in third but need to keep winning in order to stay there. The Dragons will win and leapfrog them on the ladder but the Sharks have a kinder draw. DRAGONS by 14.

DRAGONS: Clint Greenshields, Colin Best, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Wes Naiqama, Trent Barrett (c), Ben Hornby, Luke Bailey, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Ben Creagh, Lance Thompson, Shaun Timmins. Interchange: Ashton Sims, Justin Poore, Albert Torrens, Michael Ennis, Daniel Holdsworth (one to be omitted).

SHARKS: David Peachey, David Simmons, Nigel Vagana, Vince Mellars, Nathan Merritt, Adam Dykes, Brett Kimmorley (c), Hutch Maiava, Matt Hilder, Danny Nutley, Phil Leuluai, Phil Bailey, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Keith Galloway, Sam Isemonger, Reece Williams, Michael Sullivan.

Referee: Tim Mander.

FootyTAB: Sharks 8.5   Sporting Bet: Dragons - $1.33, Sharks - $3.10

Bye: Manly Sea Eagles.

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

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