NRL Preview: Round 10
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A point to prove: Scott Prince leads a swag of players looking to prove State of Origin selectors wrong this weekend. (AAP: Colin Whelan)
After three weeks of shortened rounds it is back to a full complement of fixtures this weekend.
With many of the pacesetters missing regulars due to State of Origin selection, some of the competition outsiders get a chance to steal valuable points over their usually star-studded opponents.
Eels v Roosters, Parramatta Stadium, Friday 7.45pm AEST
The Roosters bounced back from consecutive losses but now face life without Mason, Myles, Tupou and Fitzgibbon in the forward pack. On the plus side their halves combination of Pearce and Anasta is untouched and Mitch Aubusson gets a crack at lock after a strong performance last week. In contrast, the Eels have lost only Jarryd Hayne to Origin duty and are gathering momentum.
The Roosters base their performances on dominating the opening stages - winning seven out of eight first halves this year compared to Parramatta's miserly two. At home the Eels will be looking to get out of the blocks quicker and grab their fifth straight win over the weakened tri-colours.
*Raman's tip: Eels
Titans v Bulldogs, Skilled Park, Friday 7.45pm
Coming off an away loss and a bye the Titans will welcome a return to their Robina fortress. Their right-hand side attack will miss the dependable Anthony Laffranchi and livewire Preston Campbell (ankle) but Scott Prince will still have the likes of Minichiello and Harrison to feed off his shoulder not to mention his fit-again co-captain Luke Bailey. The Bulldogs have won one from their last five matches and their aimless attack could only manage four points against Penrith. The experience of the returning Luke Patten will at least give the Dogs' halves a dangerous outside option while Sonny Bill Williams also rejoins the fray.
The Gold Coast are five from five at home and despite losing on both occasions to the Bulldogs last year, their points scoring ability at Skilled Park (averaging just over 24 points a game) should be the difference.
*Raman's tip: Titans
Sharks v Broncos, Shark Park, Saturday 5.30pm
The Sharks finally cracked the 20-point barrier last week and took their away record to an enviable 5-1. But they still have the lowest try scoring average in the NRL and this week they will have to find the line without the hard running of Greg Bird and Paul Gallen. In their favour is the fact they are taking on an unrecognisable Broncos outfit missing eight regulars including creative linchpins Wallace, Hunt and Lockyer. Shane Perry takes the number seven while the pressure will be on Michael Ennis to make some decisive calls after his side's second-half capitulation last week.
The Broncos have won seven of the last eight between the two but the Sharks will be desperate to avenge their two earlier home losses this season with Brett Kimmorley likely to pummel Brisbane's wingers with a flurry of bombs.
*Raman's tip: Sharks
Sea Eagles v Cowboys, BlueTongue Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm
Manly has flown under the radar recently claiming five wins from their last six matches. Matt Orford and Jamie Lyon were terrific last week and together with Brent Kite the trio will be fired up after Origin snubs. Those three in particular helped their side overcome a lack of possession before the Sea Eagles' notorious defence kept their opponents scoreless in the second half for the third time this season. The Cowboys on the other hand are conceding an average of 4.1 tries a match struggling even to repel the limited points scoring ability of the Sharks last week.
Add to that the absence of Johnathan Thurston, Matt Bowen and even Travis Burns (shoulder) it will be a long night for the aspiring Anthony Watts filling in the Cowboys' half-back role.
*Raman's tip: Sea Eagles
Dragons v Storm, Sydney's Olympic stadium, Saturday 7.30pm
Melbourne had nine players in Origin camp plus coach Craig Bellamy and is digging deep into its talent pool to name a 17-man side. But no doubt the Storm would have been well aware of their inevitable representative commitments and have altered their approach to recent matches accordingly. Nevertheless, the Dragons have a fantastic chance to register a valuable win despite losing Gasnier, Cooper and Hornby. St George Illawarra will need to work on keeping its composure from last week when it conceded vital tries only minutes after missing golden opportunities of its own.
Rangi Chase and Jamie Soward reunite in the Dragons' halves hoping to direct a stronger and more experienced forward pack to only their third win in 18 matches against Melbourne.
*Raman's tip: Dragons
Panthers v Warriors, CUA Stadium, Sunday 2pm
The Panthers showed a lot of character last week rebounding from a frustrating loss to the Eels. Luke Lewis was a shock standout at half-back and will wear the number seven this week. But Jarrod Sammut has been named on bench and will no doubt be used to inject some more creativity over Lewis' straight-forward approach. That spark will be important as Penrith faces a Warriors outfit desperate to tighten up their defence on the road. The Warriors have had a week off to prepare themselves and are a good chance of pulling off an upset at CUA where the Panthers are surprisingly ordinary.
Penrith will sorely miss the inspirational Petero Civoniceva who is top of the props averaging an astonishing 153 metres per game. But out wide the Panthers boast loads of speed and finishing ability against a Warriors side missing Brent Tate.
* Raman's tip: Warriors
Knights v Tigers, EnergyAustralia Stadium, Sunday 3:00pm
Playmakers will be the highlight in this contest and there are changes on both sides of the ledger. The Tigers are boosted by the availability of Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah with Mathew Head favourite to start at half-back despite being named on the bench behind John Morris. The Knights' hooking role has taken a hit with both Danny Buderus and Matt Hilder missing while the loss of Kurt Gidley adds to their attacking woes. Even with Scott Dureau returning, the young Knights pack (without Ben Cross) may struggle with the lack of direction out of dummy half especially considering the momentum Farah builds from his mobile pack.
The Tigers are getting back to their ominous form will ball in hand, evident in an entertaining loss before the bye. The Knights fought admirably against the Storm on Monday night but the short turnaround might prove their undoing.
*Raman's tip: Tigers
Raiders v Rabbitohs, Canberra Stadium, Monday 7:00pm
The Rabbitohs would have been itching to get on the park following their first win of the season but have had to wait 15 days for their next match. The attacking combination of half-back Isaac Luke, hooker George Ndaira and lock John Sutton is the key to Souths' point-scoring potential while their forwards will be keen to run over a Raiders pack consistently out-muscled by their opponents. Canberra's ball control will also need significant improvement from 38 errors in the last two matches if it is to make the most of its home conditions. Meanwhile, Marshall Chalk is the latest admission to the Canberra casualty ward with a thumb injury.
Both sides have accumulated the least points in the NRL so a dour, no-nonsense contest based on field position is on the cards. The Raiders just get the nod thanks to a superior kicking game, slicker backline and the home ground advantage.
*Raman's tip: Raiders
