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globalrugbyleague - Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:46:00 GMTThe “Chicken wing” has been clipped while “WO-Manly” ads have taken the promotion of football to a whole new level. Welcome to round 5 of the NRL.
Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles
Olympic Park, Friday April 11, 7:30pm (AEST)
Referee: Tony Archer.
Head To Head: Played 11, Storm 6, Manly 5
The grand final rematch this week is one we hoped would be a huge one. Thanks to some cheeky marketing from the Storm they are taking on the WO-Manly Sea eagle’s tonight in Melbourne Both teams are about full strength. The biggest contest will be amongst the two fullbacks with Billy Slater and Brett Stewart preparing to give us an early glimpse of the Origin battle that looms in the coming months. The Storm will put up one hell of a fight but I’m going to take Max Delmage’s word for it and pick the Sea Eagles in a tight one.
Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Steve Turner, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Israel Folau, 5. Anthony Quinn, 6. Greg Inglis, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jeff Lima, 9. Cam Smith (c), 10. Adam Blair, 11. Jeremy Smith, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Dallas Johnson Interchange: 14. Matt Geyer, 15. Antonio Kaufusi, 16. Michael Crocker, 17. Clifford Manua, 18. Sika Manu Coach: Craig Bellamy
Sea Eagles: 1. Brett Stewart, 2. Michael Robertson, 3. Steve Bell, 4. Jamie Lyon, 5. Michael Bani, 6. Luke Williamson, 7. Matt Orford (c), 8. Jason King, 9. Matt Ballin, 10. Brent Kite, 11. Anthony Watmough, 12. Glenn Stewart, 13. Steve Menzies Interchange: 14. Josh Perry, 15. Glenn Hall, 16. Adam Cuthbertson, 17. Mark Bryant, 18.Heath L'Estrange, 20. Jack Afamasaga Coach: Des Hasler
Parramatta Eels v Gold Coast Titans
Parramatta Stadium, Friday April 11, 7:30pm (AEST)
Referee: Jared Maxwell.
Head To Head: Played 1, Titans 1, Eels 0
The Titans are on the road again and they’ll be hunting for victory number four at the expense of the Eels at Parramatta Stadium. But they’ll have to do it without fearless leader Luke Bailey. Any talk of the Eels being walk over should be ignored. After last week’s loss to the Cowboys, the home side should come out firing. The battle of the halves involving Tim Smith (Eels) and Scott Prince (Titans) will be most entertaining and vital to the result of this game. Parramatta should bounce back.
Eels: 1. Luke Burt, 2. Taulima Tautai, 3. Joel Reddy, 4. Jarryd Hayne, 5. Eric Grothe, 6. Brett Finch, 7. Tim Smith, 8. Nathan Cayless (c), 9. Mark Riddell, 10. Fuifui Moimoi, 11. Nathan Hindmarsh, 12. Daniel Wagon, 13. Feleti Mateo Interchange: 14. Matthew Keating, 15. Josh Cordoba, 16. Chad Robinson, 17. Weller Hauraki Coach: Michael Hagan
Titans: 1 Preston Campbell, 2 Ben Jeffery, 3 Luke O’Dwyer, 4 Brett Delaney, 5 Matt Peterson, 6 Mat Rogers, 7 Scott Prince ©, 8 James Stosic, 9 Nathan Friend, 10 Brad Meyers, 11 Anthony Laffranchi, 12 Mark Minichiello, 13 Ashley Harrison Interchange: 14 Aaron Cannings, 15 Daniel Conn, 16 Josh Graham, 17 Brenton Bowen, 18 Michael Hodgson, 19 Gavin Cooper (Two to be omitted) Coach: John Cartwright
St George Illawarra Dragons v North Queensland Cowboys
WIN Stadium, Saturday April 12, 5:30pm (AEST)
Referee: Tony de las Heras.
Head To Head: Played 16, Dragons 8, Cowboys 8
The first pit-stop for Super Saturday is in Wollongong when the Dragons battle the Cowboys at WIN Stadium. Whether the Dragons can win there is another question entirely. North Queensland demonstrated what they can do when they are their best last weekend while the Dragons faithful will need to go real hard to convince anyone their team can win this one. Question: Are the Cowboys really back or did they beat a team that underestimated them. We’ll find out on Saturday night if they’ve got their season back on track. North Queensland are favourites but not with supreme confidence amongst the experts.
Dragons: 1. Ben Hornby, 2. Jason Nightingale, 3. Mark Gasnier (c), 4. Matt Cooper, 5. Chase Stanley, 6. Rangi Chase, 7. Jamie Soward, 8. Justin Poore, 9. Stuart Webb, 10. Jason Ryles, 11. Kirk Reynoldson, 12. Ben Creagh, 13. Dean Young Interchange: 14. Jarrod Saffy, 15. Dan Hunt, 16. Lagi Setu, 17. Beau Scott, 18. Jon Green Coach: Nathan Brown
Cowboys: 1. Ashley Graham, 2. Ty Williams, 3. Mark Henry, 4. Ben Harris, 5. John Williams, 6. Justin Smith, 7. Johnathan Thurston (c), 8. Ray Cashmere, 9. Aaron Payne (vc), 10. Carl Webb, 11. Steve Southern, 12. Jacob Lillyman, 13. Luke O’Donnell Interchange: 14. Anthony Watts, 15. Sam Faust, 16. Shane Tronc, 17. Dayne Weston, 18. Matthew Bartlett Coach: Graham Murray
Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters
CUA Stadium, Saturday April 12, 7:30pm (AEST)
Referee: Bernard Sutton.
Head To Head: Played 71, Roosters 44, Panthers 26
Last week if I had to pick this one I would put my house on it. But not this week. The Sydney Roosters will be without some key personnel including Anthony Minichello and David Shillington while question marks remain over whether Willie Mason will play or not. Off the back of last week’s performance against the Tigers, Penrith have found a spring in their step and some useful confidence. The Roosters have got some great depth in terms of playing talent care of the Newtown Jets and will bring in Frank Paul Nuuausala who is a very mobile forward. I’ll bet my Chicken Wings on the Roosters winning this one.
Panthers: 1. Rhys Wesser, 2. Luke Rooney, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Tighe, 5. Michael Gordon, 6. Maurice Blair, 7. Jarrod Sammut, 8. Tony Puletua, 9. Luke Priddis, 10. Petero Civoniceva (c), 11. Frank Pritchard, 12. Luke Lewis, 13. Nathan Smith Interchange: 14. Paul Aiton, 15. Frank Puletua, 16. Brendan Worth, 17. Matthew Bell, 18. Geoff Daniela, 19. Joseph Paulo Coach: Mathew Elliott
Roosters: 1. Sam Perrett, 2. Amos Roberts, 3. Mitchell Aubusson, 4. Sia Soliola, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Braith Anasta, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Mark O'Meley, 9. Riley Brown, 10. Nate Myles, 11. Setaimata Sa, 12. Anthony Tupou, 13. Craig Fitzgibbon (c) Interchange: 14. Lopini Paea, 15. Frank Paul-Nuuausala, 16. Brent Grose, 17. James Aubusson, 18. Mickey Paea Coach: Brad Fittler.
Warriors v Bulldogs
Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday April 12, 12pm (AEST)
Referee: Ben Cummins.
Head To Head: Played 22, Bulldogs 12, Warriors 8
We then travel across the Tasman with the somewhat unpredictable Bulldogs. Their record in New Zealand is not the best but the Warriors are still struggling once again to hold onto the ball and finish their second halves strongly. This one will be a battle of kicks to each wing and should be a high scoring affair. If the Warriors can get the basics right, they’ll take out the two competition points.
Warriors: 1. Lance Hohaia, 2. Patrick Ah Van, 3. Brent Tate, 4. Ryan Shortland, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Michael Witt, 7. Grant Rovelli, 8. Sam Rapira, 9. Nathan Fien, 10. Ruben Wiki (c), 11. Simon Mannering, 12. Logan Swann, 13. Micheal Luck Interchange: 14. Ian Henderson, 15. Evarn Tuimavave, 16. Epalahame Lauaki, 17. Sonny Fai Coach: Ivan Cleary
Bulldogs: 1. Luke Patten, 2. Hazem El Masri, 3. Tim Winitana, 4. Willie Tonga, 5. Heka Nanai, 6. Ben Roberts, 7. Daniel Holdsworth, 8. Jarrad Hickey, 9. Corey Hughes, 10. Justin Tsoulos, 11. Sonny Bill Williams, 12. Andrew Ryan (c), 13. Lee Te Maari Interchange: 14. Chris Armit, 15. Danny Williams, 16. Brad Morrin, 17. Michael Sullivan, 20. Reni Maitua Coach: Steve Folkes.
Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers
Canberra Stadium, Sunday April 13, 2pm (AEST)
Referee: Sean Hampstead.
Head To Head: Played 15, Raiders 8, Tigers 7
Tigers fans then head off down the Hume Highway on Sunday but they probably won’t be in too much of a hurry to get home. They’ll need time to recover after the Raiders clinically dissect the game away from the Tigers who may or may not play Robbie Farah depending on a fitness test. Canberra are coming off the back of a big loss but they should handle the surface conditions much better. I think after Monday night’s display from the Tigers, the Raiders will be too hard to control.
Raiders: 1. Bronx Goodwin, 2. Colin Best, 3. Marshall Chalk, 4. Joel Monaghan, 5. Adrian Purtell, 6. Terry Campese, 7. Todd Carney, 8. Scott Logan, 9. Lincoln Withers, 10. Dane Tilse, 11. Joe Picker, 12. Nigel Plum, 13. Alan Tongue (c) Interchange: 14. Trevor Thurling, 15. Josh Miller, 16. Ben Jones, 17. Troy Thompson, 18. David Milne, 19. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs Coach: Neil Henry
Wests: 1. Brett Hodgson (c), 2. Taniela Tuiaki, 3. Tim Moltzen, 4. Chris Lawrence, 5. Shannon McDonnell, 6. John Morris, 7. Robbie Farah, 8. Todd Payten, 9. Stuart Flanagan, 10. Keith Galloway, 11. Ben Te'o, 12. Chris Heighington, 13. Liam Fulton Interchange: 14. Dean Collis, 15. Danny Galea, 16. Corey Payne, 17. Bronson Harrison Coach: Tim Sheens.
Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Sunday April 13, 3pm (AEST)
Referee: Shayne Hayne.
Head To Head: Played 30, Broncos 21, Knights 9
Newcastle battles Brisbane in front of a strong home crowd looking to see some form of redemption after the Knights made a few poor decisions in the dying minutes of last week’s game against the Warriors which probably cost them another golden-point win. Justin Hodges is back for Brisbane but Darren Lockyer will be out as will be Ben Cross for the Knights. Newcastle can grind out games whereas Brisbane if they are having a bad day without their key playmakers completely collapse. The Knights will give the locals something to cheer about come Sunday night.
Knights: 1. Kurt Gidley, 2. James McManus, 3. Wes Naiqama, 4. Adam MacDougall, 5. Cooper Vuna, 6. Chris Bailey, 7. Scott Dureau, 8. Daniel Tolar, 9. D - Read More, Here
Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles
Olympic Park, Friday April 11, 7:30pm (AEST)
Referee: Tony Archer.
Head To Head: Played 11, Storm 6, Manly 5
The grand final rematch this week is one we hoped would be a huge one. Thanks to some cheeky marketing from the Storm they are taking on the WO-Manly Sea eagle’s tonight in Melbourne Both teams are about full strength. The biggest contest will be amongst the two fullbacks with Billy Slater and Brett Stewart preparing to give us an early glimpse of the Origin battle that looms in the coming months. The Storm will put up one hell of a fight but I’m going to take Max Delmage’s word for it and pick the Sea Eagles in a tight one.
Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Steve Turner, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Israel Folau, 5. Anthony Quinn, 6. Greg Inglis, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jeff Lima, 9. Cam Smith (c), 10. Adam Blair, 11. Jeremy Smith, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Dallas Johnson Interchange: 14. Matt Geyer, 15. Antonio Kaufusi, 16. Michael Crocker, 17. Clifford Manua, 18. Sika Manu Coach: Craig Bellamy
Sea Eagles: 1. Brett Stewart, 2. Michael Robertson, 3. Steve Bell, 4. Jamie Lyon, 5. Michael Bani, 6. Luke Williamson, 7. Matt Orford (c), 8. Jason King, 9. Matt Ballin, 10. Brent Kite, 11. Anthony Watmough, 12. Glenn Stewart, 13. Steve Menzies Interchange: 14. Josh Perry, 15. Glenn Hall, 16. Adam Cuthbertson, 17. Mark Bryant, 18.Heath L'Estrange, 20. Jack Afamasaga Coach: Des Hasler
Parramatta Eels v Gold Coast Titans
Parramatta Stadium, Friday April 11, 7:30pm (AEST)
Referee: Jared Maxwell.
Head To Head: Played 1, Titans 1, Eels 0
The Titans are on the road again and they’ll be hunting for victory number four at the expense of the Eels at Parramatta Stadium. But they’ll have to do it without fearless leader Luke Bailey. Any talk of the Eels being walk over should be ignored. After last week’s loss to the Cowboys, the home side should come out firing. The battle of the halves involving Tim Smith (Eels) and Scott Prince (Titans) will be most entertaining and vital to the result of this game. Parramatta should bounce back.
Eels: 1. Luke Burt, 2. Taulima Tautai, 3. Joel Reddy, 4. Jarryd Hayne, 5. Eric Grothe, 6. Brett Finch, 7. Tim Smith, 8. Nathan Cayless (c), 9. Mark Riddell, 10. Fuifui Moimoi, 11. Nathan Hindmarsh, 12. Daniel Wagon, 13. Feleti Mateo Interchange: 14. Matthew Keating, 15. Josh Cordoba, 16. Chad Robinson, 17. Weller Hauraki Coach: Michael Hagan
Titans: 1 Preston Campbell, 2 Ben Jeffery, 3 Luke O’Dwyer, 4 Brett Delaney, 5 Matt Peterson, 6 Mat Rogers, 7 Scott Prince ©, 8 James Stosic, 9 Nathan Friend, 10 Brad Meyers, 11 Anthony Laffranchi, 12 Mark Minichiello, 13 Ashley Harrison Interchange: 14 Aaron Cannings, 15 Daniel Conn, 16 Josh Graham, 17 Brenton Bowen, 18 Michael Hodgson, 19 Gavin Cooper (Two to be omitted) Coach: John Cartwright
St George Illawarra Dragons v North Queensland Cowboys
WIN Stadium, Saturday April 12, 5:30pm (AEST)
Referee: Tony de las Heras.
Head To Head: Played 16, Dragons 8, Cowboys 8
The first pit-stop for Super Saturday is in Wollongong when the Dragons battle the Cowboys at WIN Stadium. Whether the Dragons can win there is another question entirely. North Queensland demonstrated what they can do when they are their best last weekend while the Dragons faithful will need to go real hard to convince anyone their team can win this one. Question: Are the Cowboys really back or did they beat a team that underestimated them. We’ll find out on Saturday night if they’ve got their season back on track. North Queensland are favourites but not with supreme confidence amongst the experts.
Dragons: 1. Ben Hornby, 2. Jason Nightingale, 3. Mark Gasnier (c), 4. Matt Cooper, 5. Chase Stanley, 6. Rangi Chase, 7. Jamie Soward, 8. Justin Poore, 9. Stuart Webb, 10. Jason Ryles, 11. Kirk Reynoldson, 12. Ben Creagh, 13. Dean Young Interchange: 14. Jarrod Saffy, 15. Dan Hunt, 16. Lagi Setu, 17. Beau Scott, 18. Jon Green Coach: Nathan Brown
Cowboys: 1. Ashley Graham, 2. Ty Williams, 3. Mark Henry, 4. Ben Harris, 5. John Williams, 6. Justin Smith, 7. Johnathan Thurston (c), 8. Ray Cashmere, 9. Aaron Payne (vc), 10. Carl Webb, 11. Steve Southern, 12. Jacob Lillyman, 13. Luke O’Donnell Interchange: 14. Anthony Watts, 15. Sam Faust, 16. Shane Tronc, 17. Dayne Weston, 18. Matthew Bartlett Coach: Graham Murray
Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters
CUA Stadium, Saturday April 12, 7:30pm (AEST)
Referee: Bernard Sutton.
Head To Head: Played 71, Roosters 44, Panthers 26
Last week if I had to pick this one I would put my house on it. But not this week. The Sydney Roosters will be without some key personnel including Anthony Minichello and David Shillington while question marks remain over whether Willie Mason will play or not. Off the back of last week’s performance against the Tigers, Penrith have found a spring in their step and some useful confidence. The Roosters have got some great depth in terms of playing talent care of the Newtown Jets and will bring in Frank Paul Nuuausala who is a very mobile forward. I’ll bet my Chicken Wings on the Roosters winning this one.
Panthers: 1. Rhys Wesser, 2. Luke Rooney, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Tighe, 5. Michael Gordon, 6. Maurice Blair, 7. Jarrod Sammut, 8. Tony Puletua, 9. Luke Priddis, 10. Petero Civoniceva (c), 11. Frank Pritchard, 12. Luke Lewis, 13. Nathan Smith Interchange: 14. Paul Aiton, 15. Frank Puletua, 16. Brendan Worth, 17. Matthew Bell, 18. Geoff Daniela, 19. Joseph Paulo Coach: Mathew Elliott
Roosters: 1. Sam Perrett, 2. Amos Roberts, 3. Mitchell Aubusson, 4. Sia Soliola, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Braith Anasta, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Mark O'Meley, 9. Riley Brown, 10. Nate Myles, 11. Setaimata Sa, 12. Anthony Tupou, 13. Craig Fitzgibbon (c) Interchange: 14. Lopini Paea, 15. Frank Paul-Nuuausala, 16. Brent Grose, 17. James Aubusson, 18. Mickey Paea Coach: Brad Fittler.
Warriors v Bulldogs
Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday April 12, 12pm (AEST)
Referee: Ben Cummins.
Head To Head: Played 22, Bulldogs 12, Warriors 8
We then travel across the Tasman with the somewhat unpredictable Bulldogs. Their record in New Zealand is not the best but the Warriors are still struggling once again to hold onto the ball and finish their second halves strongly. This one will be a battle of kicks to each wing and should be a high scoring affair. If the Warriors can get the basics right, they’ll take out the two competition points.
Warriors: 1. Lance Hohaia, 2. Patrick Ah Van, 3. Brent Tate, 4. Ryan Shortland, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Michael Witt, 7. Grant Rovelli, 8. Sam Rapira, 9. Nathan Fien, 10. Ruben Wiki (c), 11. Simon Mannering, 12. Logan Swann, 13. Micheal Luck Interchange: 14. Ian Henderson, 15. Evarn Tuimavave, 16. Epalahame Lauaki, 17. Sonny Fai Coach: Ivan Cleary
Bulldogs: 1. Luke Patten, 2. Hazem El Masri, 3. Tim Winitana, 4. Willie Tonga, 5. Heka Nanai, 6. Ben Roberts, 7. Daniel Holdsworth, 8. Jarrad Hickey, 9. Corey Hughes, 10. Justin Tsoulos, 11. Sonny Bill Williams, 12. Andrew Ryan (c), 13. Lee Te Maari Interchange: 14. Chris Armit, 15. Danny Williams, 16. Brad Morrin, 17. Michael Sullivan, 20. Reni Maitua Coach: Steve Folkes.
Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers
Canberra Stadium, Sunday April 13, 2pm (AEST)
Referee: Sean Hampstead.
Head To Head: Played 15, Raiders 8, Tigers 7
Tigers fans then head off down the Hume Highway on Sunday but they probably won’t be in too much of a hurry to get home. They’ll need time to recover after the Raiders clinically dissect the game away from the Tigers who may or may not play Robbie Farah depending on a fitness test. Canberra are coming off the back of a big loss but they should handle the surface conditions much better. I think after Monday night’s display from the Tigers, the Raiders will be too hard to control.
Raiders: 1. Bronx Goodwin, 2. Colin Best, 3. Marshall Chalk, 4. Joel Monaghan, 5. Adrian Purtell, 6. Terry Campese, 7. Todd Carney, 8. Scott Logan, 9. Lincoln Withers, 10. Dane Tilse, 11. Joe Picker, 12. Nigel Plum, 13. Alan Tongue (c) Interchange: 14. Trevor Thurling, 15. Josh Miller, 16. Ben Jones, 17. Troy Thompson, 18. David Milne, 19. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs Coach: Neil Henry
Wests: 1. Brett Hodgson (c), 2. Taniela Tuiaki, 3. Tim Moltzen, 4. Chris Lawrence, 5. Shannon McDonnell, 6. John Morris, 7. Robbie Farah, 8. Todd Payten, 9. Stuart Flanagan, 10. Keith Galloway, 11. Ben Te'o, 12. Chris Heighington, 13. Liam Fulton Interchange: 14. Dean Collis, 15. Danny Galea, 16. Corey Payne, 17. Bronson Harrison Coach: Tim Sheens.
Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Sunday April 13, 3pm (AEST)
Referee: Shayne Hayne.
Head To Head: Played 30, Broncos 21, Knights 9
Newcastle battles Brisbane in front of a strong home crowd looking to see some form of redemption after the Knights made a few poor decisions in the dying minutes of last week’s game against the Warriors which probably cost them another golden-point win. Justin Hodges is back for Brisbane but Darren Lockyer will be out as will be Ben Cross for the Knights. Newcastle can grind out games whereas Brisbane if they are having a bad day without their key playmakers completely collapse. The Knights will give the locals something to cheer about come Sunday night.
Knights: 1. Kurt Gidley, 2. James McManus, 3. Wes Naiqama, 4. Adam MacDougall, 5. Cooper Vuna, 6. Chris Bailey, 7. Scott Dureau, 8. Daniel Tolar, 9. D - Read More, Here