By CASEY O’CONNOR
RUGBY League fans enjoyed a football feast when play eventually got underway last weekend. Lake Suncorp was better suited to water skiing than rugby league Friday night when officials pulled the pin on the Test. What a weekend it turned out to be.
The Kiwis stamped their authority at the International level, leaving question marks hanging over the future of some Kangaroos and their coach Tim Sheens.
In the lead-up to Origin, the City Country game left Blues supporters and the coach with as many questions as answers. As the Kangaroos were left to reflect on what went so horribly wrong, league fans were celebrating the spectacular football displayed in the battle of the Pacific Nations.
Coaches and tipsters this weekend have to deal with the fallout from the weekend’s game with several players injured or facing suspension.
The Broncos and Panthers and Roosters and Tigers kick start round nine on Friday night.
Roosters play makers James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce could be playing for a Blues jersey when they take on the Tigers. The Roosters have been winless since back rower Aidan Guerra suffered a broken jaw. They will be hoping his return heralds a change of fortune. The young Tigers will need to be at their best here. In a blow for Tigers fans, Tim Simona injured his ankle playing for Samoa and will be sidelined until round 13. Expect to hear those Roosters crowing again after Friday night.
Brisbane will be sweating on the outcome of Sam Thaiday’s appointment with the judiciary after he was charged for a crusher tackle. Penrith caught plenty of tipsters napping with their win over Cronulla in round eight. Their playing stocks will be strengthened in the coming weeks as players return from injury. They are definitely a team on the up. Reports indicate Darius Boyd could return here for the Broncos and several teammates with niggling injuries will be better for the week break. Broncos fans will be looking for a win to keep Brisbane in the hunt at the top of the table.
The game between Canberra and the Gold Coast is one of the toughest of the round for tipsters. City five eighth Blake Austin pushed his Origin chances on the weekend but the Raiders will be anxiously awaiting the outcome of another judiciary hearing after he was reported twice during the City Country clash.
The Titans have their share of problems with Greg Bird facing a lengthy suspension. As a serial offender Bird will be lucky to escape the wrath of the judiciary after his involvement in a lifting tackle. Both sides have emerged from a bad start to the season and have good recent form over top sides. With no confidence, I am leaning ever so slightly to the Titans.
Cronulla host the Warriors at Remondis and are another side to have cracked some good wins in recent rounds.
The Warriors should be full of confidence after the Kiwis win in the Test. If Manu Vatuvei and his teammates reproduce the form they showed at Suncorp they should win here.
Thurston gave his all in the Test. He will return to 1300 Smiles on Saturday night with that same attitude against the Bulldogs. The Cowboys recent return to form has not surprised their coach Paul Green who puts it down to improved defence and better combinations.
Josh Morris is expected to take his place for the Dogs in this game however Josh Reynolds is another facing the judiciary after the representative round, charged over a tripping incident in the City Country clash.
The Dogs have been a bogey side for the Cowboys in the past, but I expect the home side to get the points here.
Recent weather events may prevent Sunday’s game between the Sea Eagles and Knights from being played at Brookvale. As this report goes to press, the NRL are yet to make a determination on where the game will be played due to ongoing concerns with the surface at Brookvale.
Manly are desperate to turn their fortunes around. Jamie Lyons is expected to play, however Steve Matei will be a spectator, under suspension for one match. The Knights have dropped off the pace since their flying start to the season. After a strong performance for Country, Knights, winger Akuila Uate will be looking to impress Origin selectors here. This will be close, but perhaps a Manly win.
Wrapping up Sunday football, the Eels host Melbourne Storm at Pirtek. They will be bolstered by the return of flying winger Sam Radradra. Parra have only three wins this season and have not delivered as expected. Melbourne players return from representative duties and Billy Slater is back from a shoulder.
This season we have seen glimpses of brilliance from Melbourne and at other times they have done just enough to win. Smith and Cronk will be keen to silence their critics after the Test, and I expect they will be driving a Storm win here.
The Bunnies and St George close the round on Monday night at ANZ.
After a disappointing loss in round eight, the Bunnies have plenty to prove. Greg Inglis appears to be struggling with injury and admitted his performance in the green and gold was below par. The Bunnies are not the slick machine they were in 2014.
St George has surprised tipsters and even their own supporters up to this point. Josh Dugan has been in good form but could be sidelined here after picking up an injury on Sunday. On the back of recent performances, the Dragons could have too much fire for the Bunnies. The way this competition is shaping who would know.
After eight rounds, the table looks like this:
Dragons 12
Broncos 12
Storm 10
Cowboys 10
Tigers 8
Rabbitohs 8
Titans 8
Panthers 8
Knights 8
Raiders 8
Canterbury 8
Roosters 6
Warriors 6
Sharks 6
Cronulla 6
Eels 6
Sea Eagles 4
Casey tips this week
Broncos
Roosters
Titans
Warriors
Cowboys
Storm
Dragons
