Round 8 rolls on as we look towards our usual Sunday double header to see out the weekend. The Warriors take on the Cowboys while the Dragons play host to the Wests Tigers. Both matches looks set to be interesting with arguably the four most inconsistent teams in the competition all in action.
NRL Round 8 Sunday Betting Tips
Warriors vs Cowboys
Both sides come into this match with 3 wins and 4 losses as they look to move into the top half of the ladder. The Cowboys have won three on the bounce as they continue to develop well under new coach Todd Payten. Valentine Holmes continues his stellar form and we may even see Jason Taumalolo return this weekend.
The Warriors had one of the more unusual lineups last week as they continue to experience plenty of injuries throughout their squad. Skipper Roger Tuivasa Sheck even found himself on the wing to make way for young gun fullback Reece Walsh. Walsh moves into the halves today and RTS back to his normal fullback role.
Both teams have been extremely inconsistent so far this season and it looks a match which could go right down to the wire.
Verdict
Think the Cowboys can continue their strong run of form today as they start to be looking more like a side who can play finals footy this year. Valentine Holmes has been outstanding in recent weeks as he builds towards another Maroons call up. If Taumaolol returns it will only boost their chances and they look a tempting bet as outsiders at the moment.
The Warriors are just impossible to catch. Their best footy would see them beat any side in the competition, while their worst is shocking, and it’s just a matter of trying to figure out which one will show up today. They have however won three of their last four against the Cowboys.
I’m happy to lean towards the in-form Cowboys, especially with the start and looks a safe bet.
Dragons vs Wests Tigers
The Dragons come into this off the back of two straight losses after winning four straight before that. They will be desperate to turn their form around and face a Tigers side who are now in crisis mode.
The Tigers have lost four straight games now and were completely outplayed by Manly last week in a 40-6 drubbing. It is becoming desperate for Michael Maguire and his side as pressure is mounting for them to put together some good performances.
Verdict
It’s hard to see how the Tigers are going to turn it around as they come up against the Dragons who have one of the strongest forward packs in the competition. The Dragons themselves will need to lift on recent weeks however, as they look to rediscover the form that saw them beat the Knights and Eels earlier this year.
The return to Wollongong will be a massive boost for the home side and I think they will be too classy for the Tigers today. They may also be boosted by the return of Ben Hunt who was instrumental in some of their early season form. The Tigers will be without James Roberts which will put more pressure on their already-struggling backline. The Tigers have only scored three tries in their last two matches and the heat will be on Luke Brooks to lift.
Think St George should be too good here today and they will look to put on a big score to build some much needed confidence.
