NRL Finals Week Two

By Stephen Gallagher

FRIDAY: Eels V Raiders  – CommBank Stadium – 21.50NZT

Loser is gone. While some may say that the Raiders have already exceeded expectations, they are clearly in form with five wins in a row and are looking to tick off a huge scalp.

Ricky Stuart has never lost a finals game in the second week – a record that bodes well for Canberra.

I won’t go out and say Parramatta’s hopes fall on the fitness of Mitchell Moses, but he definitely helps their cause if he’s in.

They were thoroughly beaten last weekend, and didn’t apply enough pressure on Penrith.

Canberra have no worries playing away and winning – they will be charged up and ready to knock off Parramatta in front of their own fans.

I think the Raiders pack is in better form right now, and the Eels will have to take that personally to get up for this.

If week one was anything to go by, this week will be just as good.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Sharks V Rabbitohs  – Allianz Stadium – 22.00NZT

Both of these sides were put through the wringer last week. Cronulla, an epic 93rd-minute loss, and the Rabbitohs were beaten up on the field but won on the scoreboard convincingly.

Recovery will play a massive role in this match. The Sharks will have had an extra day to prepare compared to South Sydney.

Cronulla also have the luxury to name the same 17 as last week despite the result. Tom Burgess missing through suspension for Souths leaves a big hole in their forward pack.

Cronulla have been guilty of late committing too many errors, and that will definitely have to get tidied up. The Rabbitohs will make them pay.

I think the Sharks have just enough in them, but look, I wrote the Rabbits off last week and look what happened there.

TIP: Sharks 1-12

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