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globalrugbyleague - Fri, 23 May 2008 14:47:00 GMTCan you afford to go to the footy twice in one week? Then why not catch some LIVE action in round 11 of the National Rugby League this weekend.
FRIDAY
Manly Sea-Eagles v St George-Illawarra Dragons
Brookvale Oval (7.45pm)
Referee - Jason Robinson
GRL Tip: Manly
Back to back wins are a mission impossible for the Dragons in 2008. Maybe if they were up against a team in the bottom half of the top eight then they might have a chance but against Manly they’ve really got their work cut out for them. Manly have won four games in a row and only have 1 player backing up from State of Origin. To save money for both teams, let's hire a giant widescreen, stick it out in the middle of the field and let fans pay to get into Brookvale Oval to watch one of their clashes from last season.
Manly - Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Matai, Jamie Lyon, David Williams, Steve Menzies, Matt Orford (c), Josh Perry, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson Interchange - Glenn Hall, Mark Bryant, Heath L'Estrange, Adam Cuthbertson, Nick Bradley-Qalilawa Coach: Des Hasler
St George-Illawarra - Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Mark Gasnier (c), Matt Cooper, Josh Morris, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Beau Scott, Lagi Setu, Ben Creagh Interchange - Dan Hunt, Simon Woolford, Stuart Webb, Kirk Reynoldson, Rangi Chase, Michael Lett, Chase Stanley Coach: Nathan Brown
SATURDAY
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm
BlueTongue Stadium (7.35pm)
Referee - Jared Maxwell
GRL Tip: Storm
The reigning premiers versus the soon to be wooden spoon holders. Melbourne will put the Rabbitohs season to sleep once and for all despite having 9 players backing up from Wednesday night. Better to have them then be without them I suppose. The Rabbitohs need better attitudinal discipline if they are not to waste their fans time any longer. On paper they have a team that can compete but when they need to duke it out, they go down after a few simple blows. Not good enough in this competition I’m afraid.
South Sydney -Nathan Merritt, Fetuli Talanoa, Nigel Vagana, Beau Champion, Shannon Hegarty, Dean Widders, Issac Luke, Manase Manuokafoa, George Ndaira, Roy Asotasi (c), David Kidwell, David Fa'alogo, John Sutton Interchange - Shannan McPherson, Luke Stuart, Beau Faloon, Eddy Pettybourne, Michael Greenfield Coach: Jason Taylor
Melbourne - Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Cameron Smith (c), Brett White, Michael Crocker, RyanHoffman, Dallas Johnson
Interchange - Matt Geyer, Antonio Kaufusi, Jeremy Smith, Aiden Tolman Coach: Craig Bellamy
SUNDAY
New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters
Mt Smart Stadium (2.05pm*)
Referee - Ben Cummins
GRL Tip: New Zealand
Bizarre is the only way I can describe the Warriors season. They’ve won all their home games and lost all their matches on the road. Can they break that trend? I think they can by succumbing to the more skillful Sydney Roosters who were missing four key forwards to Origin last week and still beat Parramatta by 20-points.
New Zealand - Lance Hohaia, Aidan Kirk, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Patrick Ah Van, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Evarn Tuimavave, Simon Mannering, Epahalame Lauaki, Michael Luck Interchange - Ian Henderson, Russell Packer, Logan Swann, Ruben Wiki, Sonny Fai, Ben Matulino, Malo Solomona Coach: Ivan Cleary
Sydney Roosters - Amos Roberts, Sam Perrett, Sia Soliola, Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce, Mark O'Meley, Riley Brown, Nate Myles, Willie Mason, Setaimata Sa, Craig Fitzgibbon (c) Interchange - James Aubusson, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Anthony Cherington, Lopini Paea, Anthony Tupou, David Shillington Coach: Brad Fittler
GAME TWO
Wests Tigers v Gold Coast Titans
Leichhardt Oval (3.05pm)
Referee - Shayne Hayne
GRL Tip: Titans
The Wests Tigers head back to Leichardt Oval in an attempt to record their first back to back win since round 7. From the spray Tigers coach Tim Sheens gave his side after they beat the Knights last weekend, you’d think they are coming off a loss. Not so but still they should play a more controlled game of football.Expect a big performance from the Titans with Scott Prince looking to sell himself into the Queensland number 7 jumper.
Wests - Brett Hodgson (c), Taniela Tuiaki, Dean Collis, Chris Lawrence, Shannon McDonnell, Benji Marshall, Mathew Head, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Ben Te'o, Chris Heighington, Dene Halatau Interchange - Corey Payne, Danny Galea, Liam Fulton, John Morris, Bronson Harrison Coach: Tim Sheens
Gold Coast -
Preston Campbell, Ben Jeffrey, Luke O'Dwyer, Brett Delaney, Brenton Bowen, Mat Rogers, Scott Prince (c), Brad Meyers, Nathan Fien, Luke Bailey (c), Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison Interchange - Aaron Cannings, Gavin Cooper, Josh Graham, Michael Hodgson Coach: John Cartwright
MONDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs v Cronulla Sharks
ANZ Stadium (7.05pm)
Referee - Tony Archer
GRL Tip: Sharks
This is the first time these two teams are playing each other since Brett Kimmorley announced he’s playing with the Bulldogs from next season onwards. The Sharks attack makes this a toss of the coin game but the Dogs – who are sitting in 14th spot – concede too many early points to give me much confidence in them. Last week’s loss to the Titans was the best performance from Canterbury in a long time but I feel it will have taken a lot out of them and the Sharks will have plenty of energy in reserve to go the distance.
Canterbury - Cameron Phelps, Hazem El Masri, Daryl Millard, Tim Winitana, Matt Utai, Daniel Holdsworth, Ben Roberts, Jarrad Hickey, Corey Hughes, Chris Armit, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan, Reni Maitua Interchange - Lee Te Maari, Nick Kouparitsas, Michael Sullivan, Brad Morrin Coach: Steve Folkes
Cronulla - Brett Kearney, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Pomeroy, David Simmons, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour, Brett Kimmorley (c), Adam Peek, Isaac De Gois, Luke Douglas, Paul Gallen, Greg Bird Interchange - Terence Seu Seu, Kade Snowden, Bryan Norrie, Danny Nutley, Dustin Cooper, Ben Ross Coach: Ricky Stuart - Read More, Here
FRIDAY
Manly Sea-Eagles v St George-Illawarra Dragons
Brookvale Oval (7.45pm)
Referee - Jason Robinson
GRL Tip: Manly
Back to back wins are a mission impossible for the Dragons in 2008. Maybe if they were up against a team in the bottom half of the top eight then they might have a chance but against Manly they’ve really got their work cut out for them. Manly have won four games in a row and only have 1 player backing up from State of Origin. To save money for both teams, let's hire a giant widescreen, stick it out in the middle of the field and let fans pay to get into Brookvale Oval to watch one of their clashes from last season.
Manly - Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Matai, Jamie Lyon, David Williams, Steve Menzies, Matt Orford (c), Josh Perry, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson Interchange - Glenn Hall, Mark Bryant, Heath L'Estrange, Adam Cuthbertson, Nick Bradley-Qalilawa Coach: Des Hasler
St George-Illawarra - Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Mark Gasnier (c), Matt Cooper, Josh Morris, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Beau Scott, Lagi Setu, Ben Creagh Interchange - Dan Hunt, Simon Woolford, Stuart Webb, Kirk Reynoldson, Rangi Chase, Michael Lett, Chase Stanley Coach: Nathan Brown
SATURDAY
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm
BlueTongue Stadium (7.35pm)
Referee - Jared Maxwell
GRL Tip: Storm
The reigning premiers versus the soon to be wooden spoon holders. Melbourne will put the Rabbitohs season to sleep once and for all despite having 9 players backing up from Wednesday night. Better to have them then be without them I suppose. The Rabbitohs need better attitudinal discipline if they are not to waste their fans time any longer. On paper they have a team that can compete but when they need to duke it out, they go down after a few simple blows. Not good enough in this competition I’m afraid.
South Sydney -Nathan Merritt, Fetuli Talanoa, Nigel Vagana, Beau Champion, Shannon Hegarty, Dean Widders, Issac Luke, Manase Manuokafoa, George Ndaira, Roy Asotasi (c), David Kidwell, David Fa'alogo, John Sutton Interchange - Shannan McPherson, Luke Stuart, Beau Faloon, Eddy Pettybourne, Michael Greenfield Coach: Jason Taylor
Melbourne - Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Cameron Smith (c), Brett White, Michael Crocker, RyanHoffman, Dallas Johnson
Interchange - Matt Geyer, Antonio Kaufusi, Jeremy Smith, Aiden Tolman Coach: Craig Bellamy
SUNDAY
New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters
Mt Smart Stadium (2.05pm*)
Referee - Ben Cummins
GRL Tip: New Zealand
Bizarre is the only way I can describe the Warriors season. They’ve won all their home games and lost all their matches on the road. Can they break that trend? I think they can by succumbing to the more skillful Sydney Roosters who were missing four key forwards to Origin last week and still beat Parramatta by 20-points.
New Zealand - Lance Hohaia, Aidan Kirk, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Patrick Ah Van, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Evarn Tuimavave, Simon Mannering, Epahalame Lauaki, Michael Luck Interchange - Ian Henderson, Russell Packer, Logan Swann, Ruben Wiki, Sonny Fai, Ben Matulino, Malo Solomona Coach: Ivan Cleary
Sydney Roosters - Amos Roberts, Sam Perrett, Sia Soliola, Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce, Mark O'Meley, Riley Brown, Nate Myles, Willie Mason, Setaimata Sa, Craig Fitzgibbon (c) Interchange - James Aubusson, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Anthony Cherington, Lopini Paea, Anthony Tupou, David Shillington Coach: Brad Fittler
GAME TWO
Wests Tigers v Gold Coast Titans
Leichhardt Oval (3.05pm)
Referee - Shayne Hayne
GRL Tip: Titans
The Wests Tigers head back to Leichardt Oval in an attempt to record their first back to back win since round 7. From the spray Tigers coach Tim Sheens gave his side after they beat the Knights last weekend, you’d think they are coming off a loss. Not so but still they should play a more controlled game of football.Expect a big performance from the Titans with Scott Prince looking to sell himself into the Queensland number 7 jumper.
Wests - Brett Hodgson (c), Taniela Tuiaki, Dean Collis, Chris Lawrence, Shannon McDonnell, Benji Marshall, Mathew Head, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Ben Te'o, Chris Heighington, Dene Halatau Interchange - Corey Payne, Danny Galea, Liam Fulton, John Morris, Bronson Harrison Coach: Tim Sheens
Gold Coast -
Preston Campbell, Ben Jeffrey, Luke O'Dwyer, Brett Delaney, Brenton Bowen, Mat Rogers, Scott Prince (c), Brad Meyers, Nathan Fien, Luke Bailey (c), Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison Interchange - Aaron Cannings, Gavin Cooper, Josh Graham, Michael Hodgson Coach: John Cartwright
MONDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs v Cronulla Sharks
ANZ Stadium (7.05pm)
Referee - Tony Archer
GRL Tip: Sharks
This is the first time these two teams are playing each other since Brett Kimmorley announced he’s playing with the Bulldogs from next season onwards. The Sharks attack makes this a toss of the coin game but the Dogs – who are sitting in 14th spot – concede too many early points to give me much confidence in them. Last week’s loss to the Titans was the best performance from Canterbury in a long time but I feel it will have taken a lot out of them and the Sharks will have plenty of energy in reserve to go the distance.
Canterbury - Cameron Phelps, Hazem El Masri, Daryl Millard, Tim Winitana, Matt Utai, Daniel Holdsworth, Ben Roberts, Jarrad Hickey, Corey Hughes, Chris Armit, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan, Reni Maitua Interchange - Lee Te Maari, Nick Kouparitsas, Michael Sullivan, Brad Morrin Coach: Steve Folkes
Cronulla - Brett Kearney, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Pomeroy, David Simmons, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour, Brett Kimmorley (c), Adam Peek, Isaac De Gois, Luke Douglas, Paul Gallen, Greg Bird Interchange - Terence Seu Seu, Kade Snowden, Bryan Norrie, Danny Nutley, Dustin Cooper, Ben Ross Coach: Ricky Stuart - Read More, Here