The NRL Round 15 Thread

[THE RED ROOSTER]

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

[Anita Bath]

Broncos nosedive was not down to the return of the stars but the departure of Ben Teo. Nobody at Redhill knows anything about playing defence. wabbits by plenty.

[Futtocks]

A visibly emotional Jai Arrow is applauded onto the field to ring the bell before kick-off.

Edited June 11 by Futtocks

[Graham]

 

So much love on the pitch, in the crowd and worldwide for Jai and his family.

[Graham]

Half time 

30-0 Souths!

[Graham]

Score Summary

E. Kosi 13A. Johnston 15D. Fifita 23A. Johnston 29J. Humphreys 40	Tries
L. Siegwalt 14L. Siegwalt 16L. Siegwalt 24L. Siegwalt 30L. Siegwalt 40	Conversions

[Futtocks]

Mam and Reynolds injured in quick succession. Again.

[Irish Saint]

Karapani reduces the arrears with a try in the corner.

[Irish Saint]

Afternoon all. Rabbitohs playing in a white t shirt all having the name Arrow on the back and devoid of advertising.

[Irish Saint]

Anderson grounds ball inches short of line then loses possession.

[Irish Saint]

Reynolds and Mam now both off.

Edited June 11 by Irish Saint

[Irish Saint]

Johnston completes hats trick

Rabbitohs 34-6

[Irish Saint]

Signals adds the extras 36-6 13 minutes left.

[Irish Saint]

Sullivan bursts through and passes to Radel who scores besides the posts on dayboo.

Siegwalt adds extras 42-6

Sullivan kick and  Johston gets his fourth

Rabbitohs 46-6

Siegwalt 48-6

[Irish Saint]

Into laar 5 minutes.

[Graham]

48-6 

Two minutes to go.

I thought this would be a close game, having judged that Souths would edge it.

 

[Graham]

80th minute captain’s challenge.

Cor!

[Irish Saint]

Final: Rabbitohs 48-6

[Graham]

FULL TIME

SOUTHS 48 - 6 BRISBANE 

Four tries for Johnston.

Best wishes Jai.

[Graham]

Score Summary

E. Kosi 13, A. Johnston 15, D. Fifita 23, A. Johnston 29, J. Humphreys 40, A. Johnston 66, J. Radel 72, A. Johnston 74	Tries	J. Karapani 53
L. Siegwalt 14, L. Siegwalt 16, L. Siegwalt 24, L. Siegwalt 30, L. Siegwalt 40, L. Siegwalt 67, L. Siegwalt 73, L. Siegwalt 76	Conversions

[Graham]

What a storybook start to John Radel’s NRL career with a try in his first appearance.

[Anita Bath]

5 minutes ago, Graham said:

48-6 

Two minutes to go.

I thought this would be a close game, having judged that Souths would edge it.

 

Broncos had lost the last 5, last two were at home to bottom 2 teams, conceding 34 points per game over that period…it was a banker souths win.

[Graham]

Rabbitohs’  Latrell Siegwalt and John Radel, two great signings, with promising futures in the game.

[N2022]

23 hours ago, THE RED ROOSTER said:

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

Thank you for the insights, Red Rooster. Hope you enjoy the weekend's play.

[N2022]

6 hours ago, Graham said:

80th minute captain’s challenge.

Cor!

Only seen brief highlights. Last try action. Did Sullivan's attempt to ground from the kick through knock it forward or not before the grounding?