THE RED ROOSTER

Second half pretty much Melbourne after an arm-wrestle in the firsr 20 minutes of the secod half, Warbrick scored off a kick, Two furher tries followed strectching the lead to 36-20 and Melbourne fixed the issues from the first half withstanding some frantic Canberra attacks. which eventualy resulted in a late Melbourne try off a failed offload Final score 42-20. Both sides played their Origin players and while Melbourne's season remains alive, Canberra are realistically planning for 2027.

Great match in Melbourne. Raiders going 0-16 up within about 15 minutes through two tries on the Melbourne edges and an interception then Melbourne bringing Harry Grant off the bench and replaying with three tries in seven minutes for 16-16. Canberra going ahead again on the Melbourne right edge for 16-20. Before Warbrick scores in the final minute. All aquare at the break 20-20. Key to the game for Canberra keeping the ball alive through offloading and working to the Melbourne edge. Melbourne keep driving up the middle with the triumverate of Grantr, Munster and Hughes and exploit Warbricks ariel prowess. Lots of missed tackles ion both sides whoever fixes this wins.

Well Played Titans they deserved that, That could be the win that turns around not just this season but also the next few. As for the Panthers a lot of questions to be asked about tactics and squad depth.

Penny Panthers have to be concerned they have dominated the first half but are only six points ahead. It's a combination of desperate Titans defence and their own one-dimensional attack which seems to revolve around using the forwards to run over the Titans defence, which by and large has held firm. Enough signs towards the end that the Tians can catch the Panthers out on the break as when Morrin went over, and Talagi is not having the kind of blazing game the Panthers might expect from him given the absentees. The game is a better watch than expected.

Winners - Newcastle Knights, The Dolphins, Penrith Panthers, Manly Sea Eagles, New Zealand Warriors, Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks. Points -330 Away wins - 4 Poll - West Togers v The Dolphins

NRL Round 16 and yet again tipsters need to be wary of sides named on the Tuesday before an Origin game. Th the starting thirteens that are named on Tuesday which in some cases include origin players are not necessarily the way the teams are going to line up this weekend. There are a number of factors to bear in mind firstly injuries to players during the origin series secondly the need for players to adequately rest before the next game but primarily uppermost in the coach’s mind is does my club really need to win this next game and that influences selection Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra (Fri) For the Knights, Thomsas Cant replaces the suspended Jermaine McEwen in the second row with Bradman Best coming in at Centre for the benched Fletcher Hunt. Though it is unlikely that Kalyn Ponga will be playing for the Knights even though he has been named at fullback just 48 hours after state of origin in which case Fletcher Hunt will be filling the full back role. The Dragons lose Jayden Su’a to injury being replaced by Luciano Leilua Not as straightforward as you might think as St George-Illawarra have been keeping games tight up to a point recently, if the game remains within one score, then you can imagine that SGI could cause an upset. On the other hand, the Knights have the strike weapons to establish an early lead and if the lead gets beyond two scores, then it's difficult to see how SGI can pull this back because the fundamental weakness of SGI continue in that they are not a team that has a great deal of pace which is required in the modern NRL. With the signings that they've got coming next season, it is going to be a lot better for the Dragons fans but it's this season we're tipping on. Tip – Knight West Tigers v The Dolphins (Sat) For Tigers the Injured Kai Pearce-Paul is replaced by Tony Sukkar in the second row. Starford To’a moves from centre to wing with Patrick Herbert making the return journey. Api Korosau is named at hooker with Josese Lanyon benched as is Bunty Afoa replaced in the front row by Fonua Pole. The Dolphins name an unchanged side from the Roosters game Played at Campbelltown, which is much less of a fortress for the Tigers than Leichhardt Oval one big problem for the Tigers is the impact that 0-68 loss has had on their points difference which currently stands at -70. I Interestingly enough for the Tigers Adam Doueihi has been named on the extended bench so I could play Api Koroisau did not play in the second Origin game, so he is guaranteed to start that's a big swing for the Tigers. However this Dolphin side is a pretty powerful unit and one key player is certainly going to be on the field for the Dolphins and that's Jeremy Marshall-king because the upswing in the dolphins fortunes recently has also coincided with his return to the side he's a key but understated player the dolphins have strike power across the field and I would not be surprised if this strike power proved too much for the Tigers, Though the game could be a lot closer than the bookies are predicting full stop Tip - Dolphin Gold Coast Titans v Penrith Panthers (Sat) – SKY Unsurprisingly the Titans choose to bring back Origin players Sosefo Fifita at centre, and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui in the front row, with Jaylan De Groot and Klese Haas returned to the bench. For the Penny Panthers, Ivan Cleary names Brian To'o (wing to reserve), Nathan Cleary (halfback to reserve), Isaah Yeo (lock to reserve). Luke Garner replaces Casey McLean at Centre. Paul Alamoti shifts from the centres to the wing in place of Brian To’o. his place taken by Izack Tago. Jack Coggercomes in for Cleary junior in the halves. Lindsay Smith moves from Front row to Lock to cover Isaah Yeo and his place in the front row by Liam Henry. Though it should be noted that the origin players are named on the extended bench for the Panthers Given Ivan Cleary’s penchant for resting his origin players, if there was going to be a game where the Titans knock off the Penny Panthers this is the one. Certainly, through the likes of Kini, Campbell and Brimson, the Titans have the pace and skill to trouble the Panthers last week they turned a 12-0 deficit into a 12-24 lead before finally succumbing to the Tigers. That said, it's a big ask to knock over the penny Panthers. Tip - Panther Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles (Sat) – SKY The Dogs only make the one change with Kurt Mann replacing the benched Bailey Hayward at hooker. For the Silvertails, a selection dilemma resolved with the injured Clayton Faulalo replaced at fullback by Tom Trbojevic and Brandon Wakeham taking over from the benched Jake Simpkin at Hooker. Two sides coming off a bye and for the Bulldogs defeat would make the eight improbable. The dogs will have Stephen Crichton playing through an injury for them but fundamentally difficulties for the Bulldogs this season have come from the fact that offensively they don't score many points and defensively they're now conceding points. And this is up against the silver tail side that's not only inform but has Haumole Olakau’atu with a point to prove from his Origin omission and of course Turbo back at fullback. Tip - Sea Eagle New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys (Sat) The Wahs see the injured Alofiana Khan-Pereira replaced by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad on the wing. For the Cows, Braidon Burns comes in on the wing to replace Zac Laybutt who moves to centre, Jeremiah Nanai returns from injury to the second row replacing Sam McIntyre and Jaxon Purdue replaces the benched Liam Sutton in the halves. Interestingly this game is going to be played at the one NZ stadium in Christchurch which for the untutored is the brand new 30,000-seater stadium currently seen as the home of the Super Rugby crusaders. As this is also being touted as a potential home for a second New Zealand franchise it will be good to be able to see this stadium on sky this Saturday. Unless of course you're an avid fan of Super rugby in which case you have seen it before, though I doubt any of you will admit to that on this forum. The Wahs need a win and so do the Cowboys who have a punchers chance here. Cronulla’s win was based upon an Iron clad defensive performance but a win for the Cows would be based upon their attacking prowess. The way in which the Cowboys can win this game is if it turns into a shootout but somehow, I doubt that because even in defeat last week the Warriors defence stood up against Cronulla. One interesting conundrum for the Wahs is the presence on the extended bench of Luke Metcalfe now unfortunately for the Wahs no sooner had they decided to go with Tana Boyd as being the playmaker of the future for the club lantana Boyd gets injured and Luke Metcalfe who was considered surplus to requirements has negotiated a deal next season to go to St George-illawarra. Would it risk the balance of the side for Metcalf to be being brought on to address an issue of a lack of creativity in the halves and if he was to perform well would it cause a backflip in the Wahs thinking? Tip - Warrior Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders (Sat) - SKY This is a must win game for both clubs who are currently four and six points away from the top 8 and any loss would severely reduce their chances of making the top 8 this season for this reason I would expect origin players if it to be playing in this game. For the Storm, coming off a bye, the only change is Jack Howarth in at Centre in place of Manaia Waitere . Ricky’s raiders return both origin players Ethan Strange in the halves and Hudson Young in the second row in place of the benched Daine Laurie and Ata Mariota with Savelio Tamale coming in at wing for the benched Jed Stuart Got to the point of no return for the Raiders, its win or plan for 2027, You can expect the Raiders to attack the storm's edge defence as so many other teams have done this season and they certainly have the pace to exploit line breaks but then so did the storm even without Xavier Coates who's been a major omission for them this season with monster inform on the fall back Su’a Faalogo eclipsing Ryan Papenhuizen’s performance at fullback I am of the view that basically if you end up with a shootout in Melbourne it'll go the way of the storm. Tip - Storm Sydney Roosters v Cronulla Sharks (Sun) – SKY There is some added spice to this particular match in that not only do both teams need to win to maintain their top 4 pretensions but also if the rumour is true the reason that Craig Fitzgibbon was signed up to a long term deal as Cronulla coach who's down to interest from Bondi which in turn indicates that perhaps the Roosters board is not as content with Trent Robinson's coaching as it would appear. All change in the Roosters roster with James Tedesco back at fullback in place of Cody Ramsey. The Injured Hugo Savala is replaced in the halves by Sam Walker who will partner Daly Cherrry-Evans. Robert Toia comes in at Centre to replace Reece Foley. Mark Nawaqanitawase returns on the wing for the benched Rex Bassingthwaighte with Reece Robson back at hooker, Lindsay Collins in the front row and Victor Radley at Lock replacing the benched Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu and Salesi Foketi respectively. For the Sharkies, The Injured Toby Rudolf is replaced in the front row by Addin Fonua-Blake Briton Nikora returns in the second row to replace the injured Billy Burns and Hohepa Puru is benched in favour of Jayden Berrell at hooker. This is going to be a very close game between the Roosters and the sharks and whoever loses this game will have the familiar knock that they really can't beat the top end sides I'm tipping the Sharks for the following reasons. Firstly, when the Roosters played their origin players after game one the performance of the side was very flat indeed. Secondly, Last time out when the origin players were missing those senior players who were still in the Roosters ranks against the Dolphins failed to step up and the Roosters were well and truly beaten. Finally, the Roosters have a great habit of beating themselves through in discipline unnecessary penalties which some would say he's down to coaching. By contrast, the Sharks are in form at present, blatant Rendell has upped his game in the absence of Nicho Hynes although Hines is named in the extended bench the question needs to be asked do Cronulla really need Nicho? In addition the extended bench also includes Blayke Brailey and he would make a considerable difference to the Cronulla side even if he was able to come off the bench and not play the full 80 and also the current Cronulla run have been sparked off by the return to the side of Ronaldo Mulitalo who is very much the spirit animal of the club. It's a close game but it's a game I do see the sharks shading it at the end of the day Tip - Shark

England go into the second Test match with five changes to the side. Of the five changes there are at least two players I don't know a great deal about that being James Rew's wicketkeeper an Matthew Fisher who doesn't seem to play in the Surrey one day solids if the other players well we have Jordan Cox who is an excellent player and wicketkeeper would have been a wicket keeping option for England. And of course Jofra Archer who returns having completed his stint in the IPL including Sonny Baker as well who on debut in both the one day and T20 sides went round the park but is genuinely fast is part of a gamble by England because if you look at the balance of the English side you basically got three out and out fast bowlers in Tongue, Archer and Baker and you don't seem to have a recognised spinner with Joe Root perhaps count filling for about 10 overs in the game to spell the quicks but as his captain you wouldn't expect him to and Jacob Bethell who is a potential backup spinner to my knowledge has a left wrist injury so subsequently wouldn't be able to bowl within the game and certainly didn't within the first Test. New Zealand by contrast simply bringing Henry Nicholls for Kane Williamson at No 3. It is disappointing for the Kiwis that their ex-captain and best player overall that there best player chose to retire from international cricket mid series having played at Lord's it is an uncharacteristically selfish decision to have done that and I'm sure that New Zealand cricket would both preferred frankly if Kane didn't intend to play for the silver ferns in future that he had made that quite clear before the squad was picked for this England tour. As for the First Test match I don't think you can read very much into it the pitch itself suited seam bowlers and would have finished in three days if rain had not intervened . That is the context you need to put the performance from Ollie Robinson. It was a kind of wicket that the 43-year-old James Anderson would have picked up a few wickets on. Robinson is again injured which was a knock on him when playing for England anyway and it remains to be seen that someone who is bowling at 80 miles an hour would be as effective on the surface at Multan in Pakistan or at the Adelaide Oval when the sun's coming down. The one success story from the first Test match for England in my opinion was actually Emilio Gay as opening batsman who did pretty respectably but regardless of whether Gay had scored runs at Lords or whether he'd got a pair as Graham ###### did on his test debut when you have younger players coming into the side you really need to give them a run of about 6 test matches in the side before you're in a position to be able to judge whether or not they have the technical ability and mental strength to be able to play in Test cricket. On the Ben Stokes saga I would need to say that some people have very short memories as prior to the incident on the Sunday night of the first test there was a lot of talk about Stokes decline in form as an England player, dropping down the order to No7 with Jamie Smith batting ahead of him. It's true to say that he hasn't had a significant score in Test cricket for some time now I know that the game plan was that Ben would continue as England captain until the end of the Ashes series in 2027 after which he would have gone but form often dictates that game plans need to be torn up. What I will say about the incident ,that took place in the nightclub is that it is a case of the England and Wales Cricket board's PR team getting ahead of the story because they released the story rather than leaking out in the press. From my perspective I think we're perhaps not been told the whole story of what happened here because it seems a relatively trivial incident allegedly whether a table was booked for Ben Earl of Saracens to have developed into a situation where a security guard was punched. The question remains who said what to whom and it's very interesting to note that Saracens are yet to act against their Academy player despite the ECB being very swift in announcing that the England players were innocent in this matter. In this sense, the ECB have got ahead of the story unlike the situation with Harry brook in New Zealand where it leaked out after the 5th Test in Sydney. Brook himself has become a victim of this incident in that not only has he been overlooked as vice-captain for becoming the full test team captain with it going to Joe Root but he's also been dropped as captain of the hundred side sunrisers leeds, which seems a tad harsh in the circumstances and doesn't seem to indicate whether people think that Harry has actually learned his lesson or not. it's also very convenient for the England management team of Rob Key and Brendon McCullum to avoid criticism for the fact that perhaps plaers aren't aware of what the boundaries are as an England player for I understand Gus Atkinson was of the view that no curfew existed on that Sunday night. Domestically I've seen a lot of bang average cricket this summer for as usual the English cricket scene is a veritable dog’s dinner with the championship starting in seam bowler friendly conditions and finishing in same bowler friendly conditions with a two week span in between splitting the domestic T20 in half. The idea that you can't play championship cricket during the 100 is ridiculous if you consider but the best players are actually playing in the IPL during the early part of the English season and possibly are opting for offers from the Caribbean Premier League at the end of the English cricket season so the view that players that perhaps are not suited to play in the 100 could not be playing county cricket during the course of that tournament is ridiculous. And of course, the threat to the Red Ball game from the expansion of the IPL remains a distinct possibility. BCCI evaluating feasibility of bilaterals, IPL likely from early March Broadcasters don't want India's bilateral series? BCCI insider speaks on IPL's 94-match expansion – Firstpost And of course if you make the statement in public that the ECB relies on Indian series to make a profit (not an Ashes series ?) then you have to wonder what is the money coming into the game being spent on ?. I didn't used to agree with Michael Holding on everything he said but frankly he was correct when he said that T20 cricket would eventually end up eating the game of cricket as a whole and you only have to look at recent developments regarding the big bash league in Australia and the decision that's been made to go for a franchise T20 league in New Zealand in 2028 as examples of this with governing boards and players going for the money. It's not looking good for Red Ball cricket in the long-term.

Phew what a corker of a game, Wests sealing in in the dying monments and Jarome Luai responding to press criticism to give the Tigers the perfect send off from Leichardt Oval for now.

Wests absolutely dominating the first 30 minutes but are behaind at the break. The big thing about the Titans ios that they have pace and can score tries once they get a line break with three tries in the last 10 minutes inspired by Keano Kini to lead 12-18 at the half from 12-0 down after 27 mins. Tigers need to turn posesion (95% competion rate) into points in the second half. Meanwhile if you are watching live adn going down under in 2028 a game on the Wayne Pearce hill at Leichardt is an absolute must for your RL experience.

Great result for Paramatta yesterday, as posted (though not tipped by me to win ) The Eels have not given up on Jason Ryles, and although putting points on the board remains a problem, the defence has been outstand. Ronald Volkman has used his opportunity in the halves to carve out a place in the side to the extent that its questionable whether Jonah Pezet, on his one year deal with Parra, comes back into the side when fit. Sadly Ricky's Raiders were the architects of their own downfall. They had the opportunities but dogged defence and poor execution have made it unlikely that the last years Minor Premiers will feature in this years playoffs. It was a remarkably calm and composed press conference from Ricky post game by his standards. he has a young side and as he pointed out what needs to b e said to a young team stays in the locker froom.

Win fior Sharkies, just... That game had everything. One of the (low scoring) classics of 2026.

A first half between two very strong defensive sides, Cronulla have had plenty of posession near the Wahs line and have failed to put on more than 8 points, that could come back to haunt the Sharkies if the Wahs both fire up and aim up in the second stanza. All to play for 6-8 at the half.

Winners, South Sydney, The Dolphins, New Zealand Warriors, Canberra Raiders and West Tigers Points - 256 Home Wins - 4 Poll - Warriors-Sharks

NRL Round 15 We are now past the halfway mark I the season and getting towards the business end post-Origin. This round throws up five captivating encounters all of which are influenced by the absence (or not) of Origin Players and only the one game not on SKY. Tipsters should remember the starting XIII for some teams is radically different from last week’s starting XIII South Sydney v Brisbane Broncos (Thu) – SKY Two sides desperate for a win Souths lose Cameron Murray to Origin replaced by Lachlan Hubner at lock, Tallis Duncan replaces Campbell Graham at Centre and his position in the second row is taken by Euan Aitken. No Latrell Mitchell The Bronx lose three to Origin, Reece Walsh , Kotoni Staggs, and Payne Haas. Replaced by Hayze Perham at fullback, Antonio Verhoeven at centre and Jack Gosiewski in the front row with his second-row spot taken by Jordan Riki. In previewing this game remember that earlier in the Bronx Injury plagued season a starting XII shorn of the teams rockstars did very creditably in winning matches against the odds. It has only been with the return of the big names that the Broncos form has nosedived. Souths have been battling but beaten in Latrell’s absence. They are sitting in eight spot and looking at the starting XIII are in a better position to win the “Adam Reynolds Bowl” than the Bronx. Tip - Rabbit The Dolphins v Sydney Roosters (Fri) - SKY A game that may decide who ends up in the top four who does not The Dolphins lose to Origin: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow , Selwyn Cobbo, Thomas Flegler (front row), who will be replaced by Trai Fuller at fullback, Tevita Naufahu on the wing, Felise Kaufusi and front row Kalief Finefeuiaki is replaced by Oryn Keeley in the second row. Roosters lose plenty to origin, James Tedesco , Robert Toia , Mark Nawaqanitawase , Sam Walker , Victor Radley, Reece Robson and Lindsay Collins who are replaced by Cody Ramsey at fullback, Reece Foley at centre, Tommy Talau on the wing. Daly Cerry-Evans is partnered by Hugo Savala in the halves with Egan Butcher taking Savala’s centre spot. finally, Salesi Foeti takes over rom Victor Radley at lock. Two Teams decimated by Origin both of whom got results last week. Dolphins in Townsville, never and easy place to get points and the Roosters had a surprisingly, to me anyway, easy win in the capital. But you can discount that form because the sides are so radically different. Looking at the two sides what gives the edge to the Dolphis is that, on paper, this looks closer to their starting XIII than the Roosters does and secondly, it’s in Queensland at Suncorp. Tip - Dolphin New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (Sat) - SKY A clash between two sides only marginally affected by state of Origin For the Wahs, James Fisher-Harris and, Selumiela Halasima are replaced by Tanner Stowers-Smith in the front row), and Marata Niukore in the second row respectively. Sharkies lose Addin Fonua-Blake, and Briton Nikora to Origin replaced by Jesse Colquhoun in the front row and Bill Burns in the second row. Jesse Ramien comes in at centre for the benched, Mawene Hiroti with Jayden Berrell replacing Hohepa Puru at hooker. It’s played across the ditch, that favours the Wahs straight off a bye week. No Nicho Hynes for the Sharks who have been winning without him but more of a factor will be the forward battle and I expect the Warriors to win that. It’s going to be a tight game and my tip for the lowest scoring, but it favours the Kiwi side. Tipo - Warrior Paramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders (Sat) Two teams that need a win for different reasons, The Eels to avoid being dragged into the Spoon contest and the Raiders to maintain their top eight aspirations. Only one positional change for the Eels with Tallyn Da Silva replacing the benched Harrison Edwards at Hooker Ricky’s Rattled Raiders, Lose Ethan Strange and Hudson Young to Origin with Daine Laurie moving from centre to the halves replaced by Sebastian Kris and Ata Mariota to the second row in place of Hudson Young. Jed Stuart comes in for Savelio Tamale on the wing. Ricky’s Raiders let me down last week and on Monday the Eels fought hard against the Dogs, but although they hauled back at 12 point deficit I never felt they could actually win and the narrowness of the scoreline was more down to the Dogs execution or lack of it. Raiders will have noticed how the Dogs got forward domination and Tapine and Horsbrough will be trucking it up the middle to lay the platform for the Raiders backs. Tip - Raider West Tigers v Gold Coast Titans (Sun) - SKY Last game of this season played at Leichardt Oval. A raft of changes in Tigertown with Jeral Skelton and, Faaletino Tavana replaced on the wing by Sunia Turuva and Heamasi Makasini who in turn are both replaced I the centres by Taylan May and Starford To'a. Mavrik Geyer is benched and replaced in the second row by Tony Sukkar .Sione Fainu replaces the benched Charle Murray at Lock and the Origin bound, Apisai Koroisau is replaced by Latu Fainu at Hooker. Titans lose Sosefo Fifita and, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to Origin replaced in the Centres by Jaylan De Groot with Klese Haas taking Tino’s slot in the front row I was the game at Leichardt in 2023 when the Titans turned over the Tigers though it should be said from my recollection this was decided by the Tigers handling errors. There are two big questions surrounding this game. · Will there be a Tigers rebound after the 0-68 shellacking at the hands of the Panthers? · Can the Titans back up for a second week and secure the points? It’s a really difficult pick, Titans were good in turning over the Bronx last week, certainly with dogged defence and they can put points on the board but they have lost the captain to Origin , so have the Tigers but what goes in the favour of Benji’s boys is that they have got players coming back and I can testify that it gets feral at Leichardt especially as it’s the last game for a while. Tip - Tiger

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