The NRL Round 13 Thread

[THE RED ROOSTER]

 

Like “the Mole” I had a perfect 0-5 record last week . This week due to Origin games are not as easy to call as you might think, particularly in light of any late origin injuries that will cause disruption to the teams. 

If your tossing a coin this round you have a 50% chance of getting it right with the NRL this season. 

St George Illawarra v Newcastle Knights 

The “money man” Christian Tuipulotu is back for SGI and Luciano Leilua starts with Valentine Holmes expected to back up. 

Kaylin Ponga back up for the Knights 48 hours after a much criticised Origin game for Queensland. 

SGI have had a habit of either winning or losing close games this season by 1 or 2 points and these will be a focus on the bench not just on Rugby sevens recruit Nathan Lawson’s debut but on Jacob Liddle and how long Damien Cook remains as the starter. 

Knights beat an ordinary Panther Cubs team at Bathurst last week. Their defence has held up over the past few weeks but the attack remains a work in progress with points left out on the field last week. 

If this game was at Wollongong, I would have no hesitation in tipping SGI. I still would with the game at Kogarah but it will be a close one. 

Gold Coast Titans v Melbourne Storm 

Gold Coast making some positional changes and should have all three Origin players return but there has to be a doubt surrounding Tino Fa’asuamaleaui who is the beating heart of a side that seems to put it together once in every four games 

Melbourne back to full strength at Robina as far as the team list shows but Harry Grant got a battering during Origin so may be a doubt. The form of Cameron Munster both for the Storm and Queensland should be a concern but Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papernhuyzen are rested and ready to go. 

Melbourne have a habit of not losing two in a row so the probability is more despair for Des. 

North Queensland Cowboys v West Tigers 

The Cows have all their Queensland and NSW players backing up and Jaxson Paulo making his debut. Reuben Cotter returning from suspension in a side which is solid rather than spectacular but dies have a habit of spotting a lead to their opponents before attempting to haul it back in the second half sometimes successfully other times not so. 

Only change for Wests is Heath Mason for the departed Lachlan Galvin. 

It’s always hard tip win in Tropical Townsville but both the Sharkies and the Silvertails have managed it this season. A lot will depend upon the Tigers mind-set in this game. With Galvin’s departure is this going to be a “team-first” statement game of which they are capable or will they collapse in a heap as was the case on the visit to Melbourne?. 

Manly Sea Eagles v Brisbane Broncos 

Getting to the mid-point of the season and a must win game for both clubs currently sitting on a 5-6 record. 

No Turbo for Manly with DCE backing up after an Origin performance for Queensland that has led to calls for him to be dropped from the rep side and Tommy Talau returning.  

Both Pat Corrigan and Payne Haas back up for the Bronx and were the only two in action on Wednesday for opposing states. No Reece Walsh again but otherwise a strong looking XIII on paper reliant as ever on Adam Reynolds. 

Four Pines Park is not the fortress it once was this season and I am tilting towards Anthony Siebold being the coach on the hot seat at the game’s end. 

South Sydney v New Zealand Warriors 

I have posted before I am not sold on the Wahs but ended up tipping them last week  because they were at home.  

Latrell backing up for Souths. The Wahs welcome back James Fisher-Haros, Rocco Berry from injury and Mitch Barnett from Origin. 

The Wahs can defend but have that + 1 points differential with their success based upon their defence. Souths have been gritty this season n adversity and have Latrell who, as ever is the key to the Rabbitohs performance as he has the talent to unlock any defence. 

Bookies going for the Wahs but this game will be closer than they think. 

Penrith Panthers v Paramatta Eels 
Its beginning to come together for Jason Ryles, Eels with a superb win over Manly last time out. For the bottom placed Penny Panthers things are more coming apart than together. Paul Alamoti pays the price for a poor Panther cubs outing at Bathurst 

All five Origin players are slated to return for the Panthers, with little chance to rest and rotate for Ivan Cleary if the Penny Panthers are to salvage their season. 

Mitch Moses and Zak Lomax return for the Eels after a successful Origin outing for NSW to an Eels side that smashed the Silvertails last week. 

The keys to this game are twofold, firstly how origin injuries affect either side and secondly how Penrith react not just to their lowly position but playing a “home” game at Comm Bank the home of the Eels who should have the bulk of the crowd for the battle of the west. 

Leaning towards the Eels in this one and would I have posted this 13 rounds ago?

Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders 

Memo to self – Never write off the Raiders, Roosters bringing back all five Origin players while Hudson Young returns from Origin Duty. Tom Starling suspended for Ricky’s returning Raiders. 

The Game of the round with a clash between two sides where success this season has been through an emphasis on youth and very close to call with both sides on a roll at present. 

Roosters at home should have the advantage here but as per my opening sentence never write off the Raiders. A game to mull over before tipping. 

[Graham]

Game 1 tips so far…

Dragons to win 12

Knights to win 3

At least two more tipsters will enter the comp. I’d love to see a new or returning tipster or two or three give this week’s comp a go.

[Farmduck]

Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 21. Nathan Lawson 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart

14. Jacob Liddle 15. Toby Couchman 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie

19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 22. Hame Sele

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker

14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Thomas Cant

18. Jack Cogger 19. Jermaine McEwen

[Farmduck]

On 29/05/2025 at 16:00, THE RED ROOSTER said:

 

 

St George Illawarra v Newcastle Knights 

The “money man” Christian Tuipulotu is back for SGI and Luciano Leilua starts with Valentine Holmes expected to back up. 

 

Quote

Dragons recruit Nathan Lawson is set to make his NRL debut after switching codes from Rugby Sevens.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan confirmed on Thursday that Lawson would come into the team to replace Christian Tuipulotu, who had been named to return from a hamstring injury but the team is instead going to give him an extra week to recover.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-st-george-illawarra-dragons-vs-newcastle-knights-live-scores-teams-videos-blog-stream-clint-gutherson-fletcher-sharpe/news-story/de8522fcb31b74eb990edb678279711e

There's an unfortunate stat to your weekend's prognostications.

[Farmduck]

[Irish Saint]

Good morning all, appears to be no Ponga in Knights line-up  I may regret tipping the Dragons

[Irish Saint]

Gane just underway.

[Irish Saint]

Lawton denied first try as Holmes threw a forward pass..

[Irish Saint]

Knights short drop out collected by Dragons ends with poor kick from Flanagan on last and his dad ain't happy.10 minutes gone scoreless.

[Irish Saint]

Dragons take lead running on last Flanagan to Su'a who has been hobbling all game with first try. Su'a now receiving treatment.

Holmes adds extras Dragons 6-0 22 minutes gone.

Su'a now leaving field Vossy says gone for the night 

[Irish Saint]

De Belin runs through Knights defence pass to King Gutho .

Holmes makes it 12 -0 26 minutes gone

Su'a has ankle injury.

[Irish Saint]

Fletcherr Sharpe line drop -out goes out of play  half way to the dead ball line.

[Irish Saint]

Pasifiki Tonga barges over for his first try

Holmes again with extras 18-0 2 minutes remain first half

[Irish Saint]

Dragons deny Knights in last minute 

Half Time Dragons 18-0

[Irish Saint]

Mullett of the year Fletcher Hunt out jumps Sloan but denied by bunker

[Irish Saint]

Half way through arm wrestle of second half remains Dragons 18-0

[Irish Saint]

Holmes pen 22-0 17 minutes remain.

[Irish Saint]

Sloan denied by Fletcher Hunt.

Apparently Gavin now officially signed for Bulldogs.

[Futtocks]

KPP finally gets the Knights on the board!

[Irish Saint]

Great pass from Leo Thompson to Pearce-Paul to open Knights account.

Gagai with extras Dragons 20-6 into last 10 minutes.

[Irish Saint]

Flanagan grubber Holmes gets hands to ball off to bunker

No Try knock on

 

[Irish Saint]

Final Dragoms 20-6

[Graham]

Storm FT

GCT 16 - 28 Storm

[Graham]

Latest 26-6 Cowboys

Cowboys on top.

Cobbo just in on the left corner.

No goal.

 

[Graham]

Tigers struggling to handle the Cowboys hard running forwards.