NRL Tips and Previews, March 9-10
Penrith Panthers vs. South Sydney
March 9th
The first of several Round Two blockbusters kicks off Thursday night with the defending champions hosting the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Penrith Stadium.
The Panthers’ back-to-back title defense started miserably last weekend after they went down to the Brisbane Broncos 12-13 on home soil.
After recording the opening try via Stephen Crichton in the 7th minute, the Panthers watched on as Herbie Farnworth scored twice within four minutes and gave the Broncos what was ultimately an unassailable lead heading into the second half.
The Rabbitohs shot into the top four with an impressive nine-point win against Cronulla. While it’s notoriously difficult to win at Shark Park, the Rabbitohs took control of the match with two Campbell Graham tries in the second half and a brilliant kicking display from Latrell Mitchell. Thankfully for Rabbitohs fans, any post-match concern regarding Mitchell’s knee has been kiboshed after he was named to start in this one.
It’s hard to see the Panthers losing two straight at home, so we’ll be backing them to get off the mark in a high-quality affair.
Suggested Bet:
Penrith Panthers (-4.5) at $1.90
Parramatta Eels vs. Cronulla Sharks
March 10th
Speaking of 2022 grand finalists who are yet to hit the scoreboard, the Parramatta Eels will be looking to lock in their first win of the season against Cronulla.
The Eels went agonisingly close to ending Melbourne Storm’s incredible first-round winning record but could only watch on as Harry Grant won the game for the Storm in the 83rd minute. Before that, the Eels had control for most of the match, with 53% of possession and a 6-0 lead at half-time.
Sean Russell will come into the starting 17 for Isaac Lumelume after serving a suspension he received during last year’s NSW Cup.
The Sharks’ season opener was also disappointing after they went down to the South Sydney Rabbitohs 18-27 at Shark Park. With scores locked at 12-12 at half-time, the Sharks had no answer for Campbell Graham’s two tries in the second half.
Cronulla captain, Wade Graham, will miss the next four games after unsuccessfully fighting a grade-one reckless high tackle on South Sydney’s Davvy Moale. Connor Tracey will replace him.
The Sharks certainly have the personnel to hit back but should find it too difficult in Eels territory.
Suggested Bet:
Parramatta Eels to win at $1.50
Brisbane Broncos vs. North Queensland
March 10th
Could the season have started in any better fashion for the Brisbane Broncos? Probably not.
They may only sit in the seventh spot on the ladder following their Round One win, but it is the fact they held out the reigning champions 12-13 in Penrith that has the NRL world talking.
Herbie Farnworth was the hero of the first half for the Broncos as he found the line twice in the space of four minutes before Adam Reynolds sealed the deal with a match-winning field goal in the 70th minute.
Things will only improve for the Broncos, with Reece Walsh debuting in a Brisbane jersey after missing Round 1 with a facial fracture.
As for the Cowboys, they sit in the eighth spot after being made to work for a one-point victory over the Canberra Raiders.
It was the perfect start for the Cowboys as they scored three tries in the opening half thanks to Murray Taulagi and Scott Drinkwater (twice). The Raiders hit back with a strong performance in the second half until a late Chad Townsend field goal allowed the Cowboys to edge past.
This is primed to be a blockbuster Queensland Derby, but after the Broncos’ round 1 heroics, it’s hard to go past Kevin Walters’s men.
