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globalrugbyleague - Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:30:00 GMTNRL fans have gone on a footy diet this weekend with only 6 games being played in round 7. That’s not an excuse to watch other codes.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v Sydney Roosters
(Anzac Day Match)
ANZ Stadium, 3.15pm
Referee: Sean Hampstead
GRL Tip: Sydney Roosters
This is the dark horse game of the round despite the Dragons inability to re-ignite the winning flame they lit in round 1 against the Titans. The Dragons have won four of their last five clashes against the Roosters (two of them during their annual Anzac Day Showdown). Last weekend the Rooster’s demonstrated quite clearly they have a problem scoring many points in the second half while conceding twice as many. Thankfully for them though this week’s opposition have the same problem too on top of a lack of confidence. One wonders though how the Dragons will react this week after CEO Peter Doust let it be known that all players will be on review at the end of the season. If that doesn’t put some fire in the belly, then nothing will.
DRAGONS: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Chase Stanley, Matt Cooper, Michael Lett, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Kirk Reynoldson, Ben Creagh, Stuart Webb. Interchange: Simon Woolford, Dan Hunt, Jarrod Saffy, Beau Scott, Lagi Setu. Coach: Nathan Brown
ROOSTERS: Sam Perrett, Amos Roberts, Sia Soliola, Setaimata Sa, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce, Mark O'Meley, Riley Brown, Nate Myles, Willie Mason, Anthony Tupou, Craig Fitzgibbon. Interchange: Lopini Paea, David Shillington, Mitch Aubusson, James Aubusson. Coach: Brad Fittler.
Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Suncorp Stadium, 7.45pm
Referee: Jason Robinson
GRL Tip: Brisbane
South Sydney will attempt to climb Mount Everest on Friday night with coach Jason Taylor and his troops still searching for win number one in 2008. Darren Lockyer is back from injury for the Broncos but so is Issac Luke for the visitors and Luke may very well be the attacking artillery that helps the Bunnies cross the line more often then what they’ve been allowed to in 2008. This one could go either way in terms of points. Brisbane will either win big or they’ll cruise to a win ala Manly stye. Should be an entertaining first twenty minutes of football.
BRONCOS: Darius Boyd, Denan Kemp, Steve Michaels, Justin Hodges, Reece Robinson, Darren Lockyer, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Sam Thaiday, David Stagg, Ashton Sims, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Joel Clinton, Nick Kenny, Greg Eastwood, David Taylor, Joel Moon Coach: Wayne Bennett
RABBITOHS: Fetuli Talanoa, Nathan Merritt, Nigel Vagana, Beau Champion, Germaine Paulson, Ben Rogers, Eddie Paea, Manase Manuokafoa, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell, David Faalogo, John Sutton. Interchange: George Ndaira, Shannan McPherson, Luke Stuart, Jaiman Lowe. Coach: Jason Taylor.
SATURDAY
MANLY SEA EAGLES v CANTERBURY BULLDOGS a
Brookvale Oval, 5.30pm
Referee: Tony Archer
GRL Tip: Bulldogs
Manly are slowly but surely starting to resemble the team of 2007. Matt Orford’s kicking game is starting to stretch opposition defences while the team overall is learning to win games when the hand of fate is against them after coming from behind to beat the Eels despite injuries reducing them to one player on the bench. This is a real test for Canterbury who have been able to compete with the bottom of the barrel teams while struggling against the real contenders. I think a challenge like that will bring the best footy out of them.
SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Jamie Lyon, Michael Bani, Steve Matai, Matt Orford, Jason King, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Adam Cuthbertson, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson. Interchange: Josh Perry, Glenn Hall, Jack Afamasafga, Mark Bryant, Heath L'Estrange, Vic Mauro. Coach: Des Hasler
BULLDOGS: Luke Patten, Heka Nanai, Tim Winitana, Willie Tonga, Matt Utai, Ben Roberts, Daniel Holdsworth, Jarrad Hickey, Corey Hughes, Chris Armit, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan, Lee Te Maari. Interchange: Danny Williams, Brad Morrin, Justin Tsoulos, Gary Warburton. Coach: Steve Folkes
North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm
Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Gavin Badger
GRL Tip: Cowboys
North Queensland have won their last three games as have the Melbourne Storm. This is a well-timed fixture with several players from both sides competing for test spots up for grabs when selectors announce the Australian side that will battle New Zealand in the Centenary Test on May 9 at the SCG. On the road the Storm tough it out as they did in the ACT last weekend. They’ve only won 1 from 2 away games and with short preparation after Monday night football multiplied by a long flight to Townsville, will they be up for the full eighty minutes?
COWBOYS: Matthew Bowen, Mark Henry, Ashley Graham, Ben Harris, John Williams, Justin Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Ray Cashmere, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Steve Southern, Sam Faust, Jacob Lillyman. Interchange: David Faiumu, Matthew Bartlett, Scott Bolton, Dayne Weston, Anthony Watts. Coach: Graham Murray
STORM: Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Adam Blair, Cam Smith, Brett White, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Matt Geyer, Antonio Kaufusi, Michael Crocker, Clifford Manua, Aiden Tolman, Sam Tagataese. Coach: Craig Bellamy.
SUNDAY
Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand Warriors
Skilled Park, 2:00pm
Referee: Steve Lyons
GRL Tip:Titans
The Gold Coast remain undefeated at home while the Warriors have lost 3 of their last 4 games played in Queensland. The conditions just don’t seem to suit them along with travelling. Scott Prince will need to be at his best if he wants to snatch the halfback spot for Australia on Sunday. Averaging 28 points per game at home against an outfit which leaks 44 points per game in Australia, I think the Titans will be too fit, skillful and confident to lose this one.
TITANS: Preston Campbell, Ben Jeffery, Luke O'Dwyer, Brett Delaney, Matt Petersen, Ashley Harrison, Scott Prince, Michael Hodgson, Nathan Friend, Brad Meyers, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Daniel Conn. Interchange: Aaron Cannings, James Stosic, Josh Graham, Brenton Bowen, Gavin Cooper. Coach: John Cartwright
WARRIORS: Lance Hohaia, Michael Crockett, Brent Tate, Ryan Shortland, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Ruben Wiki, Simon Mannering, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Ian Henderson, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Wairangi Koopu. Coach: Ivan Cleary
CRONULLA SHARKS v Wests Tigers
Toyota Stadium, 3:00pm
Referee: Shayne Hayne
GRL Tip: Sharks
Back in the eighties the Eels players didn’t look forward to playing Canterbury because they knew they were in for a long hard slog and the Sharks share the same sentiments when battling the Wests Tigers. These clashes are never easy one’s to win. A danger game for the Sharks who to me still need to find more points in their attacking arsenal to compete with the contenders. The Tigers scored 30 unanswered points last Sunday against Souths while the Sharks have been unable to grab more then 20 points per game in 2008. It’s been a long time between drinks as the Sharks have not beaten the Tigers at Toyota Stadium since 2003. I've got a feeling that trend won’t be bucked this week either.
SHARKS: Brett Kearney, Bryson Goodwin, Ben Pomeroy, David Simmons, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour, Brett Kimmorley, Adam Peek, Isaac De Gois, Luke Douglas, Paul Gallen, Fraser Anderson, Greg Bird. Interchange: Danny Nutley, Paul Stephenson, Dustin Cooper, Terence Seu Seu. Coach: Ricky Stuart
TIGERS: Brett Hodgson, Taniela Tuiaki, Dean Collis, Chris Lawrence, Shannon McDonnell, Benji Marshall, Matthew Head, Bryce Gibbs, John Morris, Keith Galloway, Todd Payten, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton. Interchange: Dene Halatau, Danny Galea, Corey Payne, Ben Te'o. Coach: Tim Sheens.
BYES - EELS, KNIGHTS, PANTHERS, RAIDERS - Read More, Here
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v Sydney Roosters
(Anzac Day Match)
ANZ Stadium, 3.15pm
Referee: Sean Hampstead
GRL Tip: Sydney Roosters
This is the dark horse game of the round despite the Dragons inability to re-ignite the winning flame they lit in round 1 against the Titans. The Dragons have won four of their last five clashes against the Roosters (two of them during their annual Anzac Day Showdown). Last weekend the Rooster’s demonstrated quite clearly they have a problem scoring many points in the second half while conceding twice as many. Thankfully for them though this week’s opposition have the same problem too on top of a lack of confidence. One wonders though how the Dragons will react this week after CEO Peter Doust let it be known that all players will be on review at the end of the season. If that doesn’t put some fire in the belly, then nothing will.
DRAGONS: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Chase Stanley, Matt Cooper, Michael Lett, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Kirk Reynoldson, Ben Creagh, Stuart Webb. Interchange: Simon Woolford, Dan Hunt, Jarrod Saffy, Beau Scott, Lagi Setu. Coach: Nathan Brown
ROOSTERS: Sam Perrett, Amos Roberts, Sia Soliola, Setaimata Sa, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce, Mark O'Meley, Riley Brown, Nate Myles, Willie Mason, Anthony Tupou, Craig Fitzgibbon. Interchange: Lopini Paea, David Shillington, Mitch Aubusson, James Aubusson. Coach: Brad Fittler.
Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Suncorp Stadium, 7.45pm
Referee: Jason Robinson
GRL Tip: Brisbane
South Sydney will attempt to climb Mount Everest on Friday night with coach Jason Taylor and his troops still searching for win number one in 2008. Darren Lockyer is back from injury for the Broncos but so is Issac Luke for the visitors and Luke may very well be the attacking artillery that helps the Bunnies cross the line more often then what they’ve been allowed to in 2008. This one could go either way in terms of points. Brisbane will either win big or they’ll cruise to a win ala Manly stye. Should be an entertaining first twenty minutes of football.
BRONCOS: Darius Boyd, Denan Kemp, Steve Michaels, Justin Hodges, Reece Robinson, Darren Lockyer, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Sam Thaiday, David Stagg, Ashton Sims, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Joel Clinton, Nick Kenny, Greg Eastwood, David Taylor, Joel Moon Coach: Wayne Bennett
RABBITOHS: Fetuli Talanoa, Nathan Merritt, Nigel Vagana, Beau Champion, Germaine Paulson, Ben Rogers, Eddie Paea, Manase Manuokafoa, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell, David Faalogo, John Sutton. Interchange: George Ndaira, Shannan McPherson, Luke Stuart, Jaiman Lowe. Coach: Jason Taylor.
SATURDAY
MANLY SEA EAGLES v CANTERBURY BULLDOGS a
Brookvale Oval, 5.30pm
Referee: Tony Archer
GRL Tip: Bulldogs
Manly are slowly but surely starting to resemble the team of 2007. Matt Orford’s kicking game is starting to stretch opposition defences while the team overall is learning to win games when the hand of fate is against them after coming from behind to beat the Eels despite injuries reducing them to one player on the bench. This is a real test for Canterbury who have been able to compete with the bottom of the barrel teams while struggling against the real contenders. I think a challenge like that will bring the best footy out of them.
SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Jamie Lyon, Michael Bani, Steve Matai, Matt Orford, Jason King, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Adam Cuthbertson, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson. Interchange: Josh Perry, Glenn Hall, Jack Afamasafga, Mark Bryant, Heath L'Estrange, Vic Mauro. Coach: Des Hasler
BULLDOGS: Luke Patten, Heka Nanai, Tim Winitana, Willie Tonga, Matt Utai, Ben Roberts, Daniel Holdsworth, Jarrad Hickey, Corey Hughes, Chris Armit, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan, Lee Te Maari. Interchange: Danny Williams, Brad Morrin, Justin Tsoulos, Gary Warburton. Coach: Steve Folkes
North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm
Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Gavin Badger
GRL Tip: Cowboys
North Queensland have won their last three games as have the Melbourne Storm. This is a well-timed fixture with several players from both sides competing for test spots up for grabs when selectors announce the Australian side that will battle New Zealand in the Centenary Test on May 9 at the SCG. On the road the Storm tough it out as they did in the ACT last weekend. They’ve only won 1 from 2 away games and with short preparation after Monday night football multiplied by a long flight to Townsville, will they be up for the full eighty minutes?
COWBOYS: Matthew Bowen, Mark Henry, Ashley Graham, Ben Harris, John Williams, Justin Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Ray Cashmere, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Steve Southern, Sam Faust, Jacob Lillyman. Interchange: David Faiumu, Matthew Bartlett, Scott Bolton, Dayne Weston, Anthony Watts. Coach: Graham Murray
STORM: Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Adam Blair, Cam Smith, Brett White, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Matt Geyer, Antonio Kaufusi, Michael Crocker, Clifford Manua, Aiden Tolman, Sam Tagataese. Coach: Craig Bellamy.
SUNDAY
Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand Warriors
Skilled Park, 2:00pm
Referee: Steve Lyons
GRL Tip:Titans
The Gold Coast remain undefeated at home while the Warriors have lost 3 of their last 4 games played in Queensland. The conditions just don’t seem to suit them along with travelling. Scott Prince will need to be at his best if he wants to snatch the halfback spot for Australia on Sunday. Averaging 28 points per game at home against an outfit which leaks 44 points per game in Australia, I think the Titans will be too fit, skillful and confident to lose this one.
TITANS: Preston Campbell, Ben Jeffery, Luke O'Dwyer, Brett Delaney, Matt Petersen, Ashley Harrison, Scott Prince, Michael Hodgson, Nathan Friend, Brad Meyers, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Daniel Conn. Interchange: Aaron Cannings, James Stosic, Josh Graham, Brenton Bowen, Gavin Cooper. Coach: John Cartwright
WARRIORS: Lance Hohaia, Michael Crockett, Brent Tate, Ryan Shortland, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Ruben Wiki, Simon Mannering, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Ian Henderson, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Wairangi Koopu. Coach: Ivan Cleary
CRONULLA SHARKS v Wests Tigers
Toyota Stadium, 3:00pm
Referee: Shayne Hayne
GRL Tip: Sharks
Back in the eighties the Eels players didn’t look forward to playing Canterbury because they knew they were in for a long hard slog and the Sharks share the same sentiments when battling the Wests Tigers. These clashes are never easy one’s to win. A danger game for the Sharks who to me still need to find more points in their attacking arsenal to compete with the contenders. The Tigers scored 30 unanswered points last Sunday against Souths while the Sharks have been unable to grab more then 20 points per game in 2008. It’s been a long time between drinks as the Sharks have not beaten the Tigers at Toyota Stadium since 2003. I've got a feeling that trend won’t be bucked this week either.
SHARKS: Brett Kearney, Bryson Goodwin, Ben Pomeroy, David Simmons, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour, Brett Kimmorley, Adam Peek, Isaac De Gois, Luke Douglas, Paul Gallen, Fraser Anderson, Greg Bird. Interchange: Danny Nutley, Paul Stephenson, Dustin Cooper, Terence Seu Seu. Coach: Ricky Stuart
TIGERS: Brett Hodgson, Taniela Tuiaki, Dean Collis, Chris Lawrence, Shannon McDonnell, Benji Marshall, Matthew Head, Bryce Gibbs, John Morris, Keith Galloway, Todd Payten, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton. Interchange: Dene Halatau, Danny Galea, Corey Payne, Ben Te'o. Coach: Tim Sheens.
BYES - EELS, KNIGHTS, PANTHERS, RAIDERS - Read More, Here