NRL 80 words in 80 minutes: Round 20
0By Stephen Gallagher
THURSDAY: Wests Tigers V North Queensland Cowboys, 21.50 – Leichhardt Oval.
It’s now time for the Tigers to do it for their retiring hooker Robbie Farah.
Leichhardt Oval is the perfect place to start his farewell tour, and the Tigers will be looking to go back to back with a win over the Cowboys.
North Queensland have the return of Michael Morgan from concussion, but their form has been so inconsistent it’s hard to know if they’re going to get up for this one. Tigers should do enough.
TIP: Tigers 1-12
FRIDAY: New Zealand Warriors V Canberra Raiders, 20.00NZT – Mount Smart Stadium
The Warriors biggest loss over the last six weeks was by two points last week. They’ve been really consistent with their efforts, but still lacking that x factor punch to turn games.
They come against a red hot Raiders side who are in the running for a top four finish.
The Green Machine have plenty of points in them, and they have the discipline and the patience to string a very good win together in this match up.
TIP: Raiders 13+
Brisbane Broncos V Melbourne Storm, 22.00NZT – Suncorp Stadium
It’s will they or won’t they for the Broncos who have a finals berth waiting if they can capture it.
Melbourne will definitely have a say in that.
I can’t see the Storm losing two weeks in a row, they have such a slick determination that sees them almost always turn this around.
Brisbane haven’t been at their best against good sides in 2019, but here’s a real finals test for them.
TIP: Storm 1-12
SATURDAY: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles V Newcastle Knights, 17.00NZT – Lottoland
The Knights downward slide has been something wicked to witness, and it doesn’t get any easier playing the Sea Eagles at Lottoland.
After another lacklustre performance, pressure is now mounting on the Knights to get some wins before it’s too late.
The Sea Eagles are just too strong for them in this instance though. Especially with the same 17 backing up from the win over the Storm.
TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs V Penrith Panthers, 19.30NZT – Bankwest Stadium
The Bulldogs at Bankwest will try topple the Panthers in a tight one.
And how inconsistent the Panthers were last week, they will definitely have to step up or the Bulldogs might catch them cat-napping.
Penrith will have to overcome the Bulldogs, who have nothing to lose, and showed it against the Roosters last week where they only went down by a eight points.
TIP: Panthers 1-12
Cronulla Sharks V South Sydney Rabbitohs, 21.30NZT – PointsBet Stadium
It’s all to play for in this one. With Cronulla sitting in 10th, and finally getting a win last week they will be looking to build some form in to the final five weeks of the regular season.
A win here for Souths however will solidify them in second for another week.
There’s plenty to like about this clash, and both sides have some inclusions which will help their cause.
Hard to separate the two, but I think the Rabbitohs have the mental edge.
TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12
SUNDAY: Sydney Roosters V Gold Coast Titans, 16.00NZT – Sydney Cricket Ground
Even without two of their best forwards, the Roosters should be able to get the job done.
Gold Coast has had the season from hell, but would love the scalp of the reigning Premiers.
At the Sydney Cricket Ground, it will be hard for the Titans to get the W. Roosters are more than capable of putting up a cricket score.
Let’s just hope the Titans throw everything at them to stem the bleeding.
TIP: Roosters 13+
St George Illawarra Dragons V Parramatta Eels, 18.00NZT – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
With their season all but over, the Dragons have one real final shot to finish off with some pride.
They were pantsed by a Parra comeback earlier in the season, but they’ve retained the same 17 that almost got the job done over Souths last week.
The Eels strength is their backline, and if they can get their backs in space, the Dragons will well and truly be put under pressure.
It’ll be a tussle for 80 minutes. I think the Eels will win by a try.
TIP: Eels 1-12
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