The NRL season continues this weekend with four matches to be played due to eight sides having a bye. We take a look at every match in our NRL Round 15 Preview and Betting Tips below.
2017 NRL Round 15 Betting Tips
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Gold Coast Titans (Friday 7.50pm AEST)
The Gold Coast Titans and South Sydney Rabbitohs find themselves near the bottom of the table and with plenty to play for in this contest. A loss in this one could be the end of the road for both teams and unfortuantely for the Titans they will be without two of their stars for this clash. Jarryd Hayne and Nathan Peats will run out for NSW next Wednesday night and will be unavailable for this Friday’s match. The Titans were embarrassed in front of their home fans in their last start against the Warriors. They got out to an early lead but they faced a 24-4 half-time deficit and were never able to get back into the match.
The Rabbitohs are coming off a tough loss for the second time this season against the Broncos. In both matches they fought their way back from a deficit but didn’t have enough to get over the line. Their forward pack stood up but it has been inconsistent this year. When their forwards play at a high level it sets the platform for the rest of the team. They are short priced favourites in this one and expected to win by a big margin, but we believe it will be closer than predicted.
TIP: Rabbitohs at the margin (1-12) – $3.00 at Sportsbet
Melbourne Storm vs North Queensland Cowboys (Saturday 5.30pm AEST)
It is a shame these two sides meet this weekend, with their stars unavailable due to Origin. This has been a great clash over the past five years but a long list of players will be out.
The Cowboys definitely have more depth and players left in the side who have the ‘x-factor’ but they still head into this match as outsiders. They earned a big win in their last start, defeating the Eels 36-6 on the road. However, Johnathan Thurston returned in that game and he won’t be lining up for them on Saturday. Lachlan Coote will take the reigns of the side and his experience will be vital while Jason Tuamalolo will need to step up in the forward pack and play a big game with Coen Hess and Gavin Cooper brought into the side for Queensland.
Meanwhile the Storm will be without their big three in Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater. Cameron Munster will have a lot of pressure on his young shoulders to run the show. They will also be without Will Chambers and Tim Glasby which leaves the side short of attacking weapons. They will be without a lot of experience and we can’t see them holding on for the win.
TIP: Cowboys to win – $2.26 at CrownBet
Cronulla Sharks vs Wests Tigers (Saturday 7.30pm AEST)
These two sides are hit by Origin with the Sharks losing four of their stars while the Tigers are without two. It is a big loss for both teams with the Tigers having less depth to cover Aaron Woods and James Tedesco. Their forward pack will miss Woods’ large work rate while Tedesco is their best attacking weapon.
Meanwhile the Sharks have proved they can win without their superstars after they earned a hardfought victory in round 12 against the Bulldogs. The side can dig deep in defence and win on the back of that while they are still capable of scoring plenty of points. The Tigers are an inconsistent side that will struggle without Woods and Tedesco.
TIP: Sharks at the margin (1-12) – $3.10 at William Hill
Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons (Sunday 4pm AEST)
The Dragons head into this match on the back of a disappointing loss and without two of their stars. Fullback Josh Dugan and backrower Tyson Frizell will pull on the Blues colours in Origin. The side was lacking options in attack in their loss against the Dogs and their defence wasn’t as strong as it has been throughout the week. They will need to dig deep in this one defensively without their two weapons.
Meanwhile the Eels are one of the lucky sides who aren’t hampered by Origin. Corey Norman made his return against the Cowboys but it wasn’t a pleasant one. The side was embarrassed on home soil and he was outclassed by Johnathan Thurston. Norman and Mitchell Moses will need time to build a halves partnership while Moses’ defence continues to come under the microscope as he fell off multiple tackles. The Dragons will put up a fight in this one but the difference will be the Eels not losing any players to Origin and nabbing a narrow win.
TIP: Eels to win at the margin (1-12) – $2.88 at Sportsbet
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