The NRL Round 8 Thread

[THE RED ROOSTER]

NRL Round 8

Based on recent results and having consulted with my Keyboard. I have begun planning for the 2026 NRLTipping competition on TRL…

Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury Bulldogs

Got to the stage of a must-win game for the misfiring Bronx. Reece Walsh is out for the Broncos though with his recent form less of a loss than you might think. He is replaced by Selwyn Cobbo with Deine Mariner on the swing. You could not fault the deffort from Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan in the big wet at Mouont Smart but the Bronx still play as a group of XIII individuals rather than a team.

Dogs likely to be unchanged though it is unlikely their current winning run will persist, not that I am changing my mind on them but its just the way that things are in the season.

Should be a close game as the Bronx should be playing with desperation in this one but will they?

Sydney Roosters v St George-Illawarra

It’s not inconceivable that the Roosters will be picking up the spoon this yea,r but do have Billy Smith and Angus Crichton returning. But now no Nat Butcher and as expected Dom Young has now been dropped. 

The problem at the Roosters lies in the fact that Trent Robinson has bee in the coaching role too long. It’s the same in all walks of life, when your in a job for a long time you become small c conservative and what worked in past no longer does so. There have been some bad recruitment decisions. Brandon Smith, Spencer Leniu, Chad Townsend and sadly Dom Young and some players who should not have been let go in Sitili Tupouniua and Terrell May. Leaving the club with an aging and fragile pack in Radley, Crichton and Butcher and reliant on the old legs of Daniel Tuopu (33) and James Tedesco (32). For sure younger players are coming through but  it’s best to blend those players into a winning side.

Mat Feagai and Hamish Stewart out for SGI who do have about regulars injured. This is shaping up to be a bettle of the old boys with the aforementioned aged Roosters taking on a SGI side steered by the veterans in Gutherson, Cook and Holmes with the exciting Tyrell Sloan. SGI are on a bit of a roll and the one consistnt thing about them this season is that they win or lose by small margins, it's not a blowout either way.

I expect this game to be the same settled by a tight margin.

New Zealand Warriors v Newcastle Knights

Played In Christchurch and a dry run in many respects for the proposed New Zealand 2 Franchise in the 2030’s. The Wahs due to have Charnze Nicoll-Klonstad and Rocco Berry returning. Still with a lot of first XII starters out, as with last year, the Wahs appear to play better when the reserve graders are in as opposed to the full strength side

The ailing Knights are boosted by Phoenix Crossland and Tyson Frizell being named n the starting XIII. Otherwise the same side that has undewhelmed in Novocastria in the last few weeks. A longer than normal trans-tasman trip is unlikely go resolve the Knights issues.

Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Melbourne’s collapse of last week was in many ways unsurprising as the Storm has bulit up a lead in recent games and the put the proverbial cue on the rack. Against the Dolphins the raced into a 14 point lead put the proverbial cue on the rack, lost momentum and never regained it. If to quote Jarome Hughes, Craig Bellamy was "cranky" after the loss at Kogarah he might welll have been apoplectic this week after conceding 40 points.

The storm will be without Harry Grant for a few weeks and Jack Howarth with a season ending injury. With Jahrome Hughes playing injured the spotlight falls on Cameron Munster to aim up and deliver for the Storm.

For the Bunnies, Jayden Sullivan lkely to return from suspension aohg with Alex Johnston. Surprisingly Latrell replaces Jhe Gray at Fullback with Souths standout player this season dropping to the bench. Latrell needs to repay Benny's faith in him as if he does ,,,Souths may not have won at Melbourne in 19 attempts but there is a big chance to turn over the storm. This Wabbits side should give the depleted storm a run for their money

North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans - SKY

The cows coming off the bye week welcome back John Bateman to tropical Townsville on a three game winning streat

The Titans have deceived many here and in Australia including myself with a comeback performance against the worst Roosters side in a decade and a defensive performance against the blunt instrument that is the Knights attack. Its been reported by Code sports that "The Titans are struggling and Des Hasler has inherited a playing roster that has left Gold Coast bosses weighing up a mass clean-out to spark the battling NRL franchise" 

For The Titans, Jayden Campbell is out but David Fifita and Alofiana Khan-Pereira may both be back

The Cows are a pedestrian side by NRL standards and the Titans need a result and have the pace in the side to do this but.... 

Penrith Panthers v Manly Sea Eagles - SKY

Not tipping against the Penny Panthers in this one, Izack Tago in for Luke Garner following their get right game against the Roosters . That's not to say that they are the force of old for they are not, but they are quite capable of putting away ordinary sides which brings me to the Silvertails

Tom Turbo returns despite Lehi Hopoate doing a sterling job at full back possibly granting Tommy Terbo’s desire to shift to the centres in future. Heaps out for the Silvertails though, Jake Turbo, Nathan Brown, Tommy Talau and Ethan Bullimore. Josh Alotai and Corey Waddell coming into the squad

Calls in the press for DCE to quit as club captain as it is hinted there are players discontented with a captain who no longer wants to be at the club indicate dressing froom turmoil which is never a good sign calls-for-daly-cherryevans-to-stand-down-from-captaincy

Panthers heading for 3-5

Canberra Raiders v The Dolphins

Match of the round between these two sides 

Ricky’s Rampaging Raiders remain unchanged

The Dolphins do have in jury problems losing Felise Kaufusi and Jeremy Marshall0-King

Tough game to call as both sides can put on quickly and from anywhere in the field.it is in the capital though spo that should give the Raiders the edge

West Tigers v Cronulla Sharks - SKY

More Tiger turmoil following defeat at Comms Bank. Playing Lachlan Galvin in the side after serving legal papers against the club is a huge gamble that could backfire big time on Wests. What will Tigertown focus on the game on the field or the games being played off it ? and what impact will that have on the Tigers team, notably what will be the reaction if Galvin scores from the other players and the fans  ? 

Sharkies unchanged for this game at Leichardt Oval, I was there two years ago when the sharks were surprisingly turned over it would be less of a surprise this year. That said the Sharks have been on a winning run but have just been doing enough to get by. Doing enough might just be enough for Sharkies to win this game

An Interesting evening at Leichardt Oval awaits

[Farmduck]

[Irish Saint]

Good morning all , Bulldogs wearing a blue and white Hull type jersey today. Broncis kick off.

[Irish Saint]

Preston drops on first play. Broncos scrum 10 out.

Wiilson barges over Brincos 4-0

As expected Reynolds adds the 2

Broncos 6-0

Edited April 24 by Irish Saint

[Irish Saint]

BillyWalters with40\20

[Irish Saint]

Attached comes to end as Piakura spills ball.

[Irish Saint]

Broncos in again, Carrigan to Haas who off loads to Reynolds who grounds ball under the posts. Appears to have injured shoulder.

Broncos 10-0 Cobbo adds2 12-0

Heavy rain in Brisbane

Edited April 24 by Irish Saint

[Irish Saint]

Curran now binnedfor shoulder charge on Haas.

10 minutes gone 12-0 and Bulldogs down to 12

[Irish Saint]

Reynolds cross field kick to Mariner 16-0

[Irish Saint]

Reynolds from the sideline 18-0

[Futtocks]

The Bulldogs have been mugged here.

[Irish Saint]

Try to Shibasaki 22-0

Reynolds conversion from other sideline 24-0

Edited April 24 by Irish Saint

[Irish Saint]

Just as wedont get that Queensland sunshine we also don't get that Queensland rain. Absolutely pelting down.

[Futtocks]

Still scoring at just about a point per minute.

[Irish Saint]

Haas orrload to Reynolds who kicks cross field to Mariner 28-0 ktc 28 minutes played.

[Irish Saint]

Kick hits upright. AS Warren commentating says its raining points.

[Irish Saint]

Reynoldsnow with a 40/5

[Irish Saint]

On the last Reynolds kick forces drop out.

[Irish Saint]

On the second play after drop outdown the left they come ending with Hunt pa's to Arthars 32-0 Broncos.

[StandOffHalf]

Why did I tip the Doggies tonight, LOL???

6-day turnaround away in Brisbane.

Haas and Reynolds have been unplayable tonight. The veteran has it on a string and the offloads and ball-playing from Haas and Carrigan are absolutely killing the Doggies.

[Irish Saint]

Reynolds from sideline 34 -0.

Puddles beginning to form onSuncorp playing surface.

[Irish Saint]

Tuoponiua now off for head contact on Piakura

[Irish Saint]

Dogs  force drop out Reynolds kicks out on full.

[Irish Saint]

Half Time Broncos 34-0.

[Irish Saint]

Comeback begins. Kickau to Montoya who goes in at the corner.

Broncis 34 -6 Crichton with extras 33 minutes remain