NRL Tips and Previews, March 25-26
North Queensland vs Gold Coast Titans
March 25th
Is this where the Cowboys kick-start their 2023 season? The Bet Nation market seemingly says yes at $1.45.
North Queensland are yet to get going in the first three rounds, losing two games and sitting in 15th spot on the ladder. They were no match for the Warriors last weekend, but a change to the forward structure with Griffin Neame to start at prop in place of Reuben Cotter might be an agent for change.
The Titans are back up into the sixth spot after upsetting the Storm 38-34, and they’ll go in with an unchanged line-up. That can only mean good things when trying to challenge the Cowboys at home.
Suggested Bet:
North Queensland to win at $1.45
South Sydney vs Manly Sea Eagles
March 25th
Like the Cowboys, the Bunnies desperately need a win this week but won’t find it easy as they host the undefeated Sea Eagles.
With a 1-2 record and in 10th spot on the ladder, the Rabbitohs fell to the negative side of the ledger when they lost to the Roosters in a tight two-point affair. Hame Sele failed a HIA and has been ruled out, but Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Jacob Host return to the starting side.
It’s been a dream start to Anthony Seibold’s season with Manly, and he will continue to ride the wave of positivity with the same squad that defeated the Eels by four. Souths will provide another level of competition at home, but the Sea Eagles are playing the type of rugby to get it done.
Suggested Bet:
Manly (+4.5) at $1.90
NZ Warriors vs. Canterbury Bulldogs
March 26th
The NZ Warriors worked their way into the top four last weekend when they defeated the Cowboys 12-26 in Townsville. Leading by four points at half-time, it was all Warriors in the final 40 minutes as they scored another two unanswered tries.
The Bulldogs secured their second win of the year with a four-point victory over the Tigers, but they’ll need to improve upon their second-half performance, whereby they gave up 16 points to six.
$1.79 appears fair for the Warriors as they look to cement their spot in the four.
Suggested Bet:
NZ Warriors to win at $1.79
Newcastle Knights vs. Canberra Raiders
March 26th
Are the Raiders about to start living up to their potential? At $1.46, the market suggests they’ll at least have the Knights’ measure.
After a slow start to the season, the Raiders broke through with their first win in Round Three, holding off Cronulla by four points at GIO Stadium. Prop Josh Papali’I will return from a calf injury for his first game of the year.
The Knights will change things up after they became the Dolphins’ latest victim, going down by 16 points. Greg Marzhew will replace Dom Young on the wing, Leo Thompson moves to prop, and Jack Hetherington heads to the bench.
Suggested Bet:
G. Marzhew anytime try scorer at $2.35
St George Illawarra vs. Cronulla Sharks
March 26th
They may have gone down to the Raiders by four points last week, but the vibe will be up and about at Cronulla as they prepare to welcome Nicho Hynes back into the team after recovering from a calf injury.
Their four separate try scorers will buoy them in Canberra, and the fact they had 53% of the play but will need to tighten up after allowing six line breaks.
It was a tough match for the Dragons against the ladder-leading Broncos, as they gave up seven tries and went down by 22 points. The one positive is that the Dragons led at half-time, only to give up 32 points in the second half.
