Round 2 in the NRL season kicks off on Thursday night with the Melbourne Storm hosting the South Sydney Rabbitohs from AAMI Park at 8.05pm! Greg Davis is back on deck with his full preview and NRL betting tips for the clash below.
Remember, we will be providing betting tips for every game in the 2022 season, so be sure to check out our NRL Tips page for regular updates throughout Round 2 and beyond.
Storm vs Rabbitohs Betting Tips
AAMI Park, Thursday 17th March, 8.05pm (AEDT)
Squads
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tepai Moeroa 18. Chris Lewis 19. Nick Meaney 20. Bronson Garlick 21. Jayden Nikorima 22. Jonah Pezet 23. Jack Howarth 24. William Warbrick
Rabbitohs
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jaxson Paulo 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jacob Host 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Michael Chee Kam 18. Davvy Moale 19. Josh Mansour 20. Liam Knight 21. Richard Kennar 22. Peter Mamouzelos 23. Isaiah Tass 24. Dean Hawkins
Match Preview
TO use AFL-style chat, there’s a couple of very big “ins” for this Thursday’s blockbuster between the injury-hit Storm and the slow-starting Rabbitohs.
A couple of blokes you may have heard of – Melbourne’s Cameron Munster and Souths’ Latrell Mitchell – will be lacing them up for their first premiership outings of 2022 after missing the opening round through suspensions.
Munster was a naughty boy during Mad Monday celebrations to cop his whack from the NRL while Mitchell almost decapitated a former Roosters teammate late last season to earn his hefty ban.
The term “superstar’ is often over-used but it is a fitting moniker for both genuine match-winners who have razzled, dazzled and dominated on the biggest stages that the game has.
And they will both be welcomed back with open arms by their clubs for different reasons.
Melbourne were magnificent in their win over Wests Tigers last Saturday which came at a brutal cost. Newly installed co-captain - and arguably the best bloke in the NRL - Christian Welch will miss the rest of the season after sustaining an Achilles injury while winger George Jennings suffered a season-ending knee injury and Brandon Smith will be sidelined with a hand injury.
Such is the depth of talent at the Storm, Melbourne will insert Munster, hooker Harry Grant and co-captain Jesse Bromwich into their line-up for their second home game in a row.
Not only will the home ground advantage help the Storm, Melbourne has a remarkable 30-5 overall record against the Bunnies with their last meeting being a 50-0 walloping of Souths in May last year.
If a bit of luck fell Melbourne’s way in last year’s preliminary final against Penrith, this would be a grand final re-match.
While the injury toll from their season opener was horrific, the return of Munster and Grant in the attacking spine and Bromwich up front will help the Purple Powerhouse get back into the swing of things.
The Storm were very good in the second half against the Tigers and they will only get better again with Munster back in the no.6 jumper.
Souths looked decidedly clunky against the Broncos and the departure of long-time halfback Adam Reynolds will haunt the Bunnies all year as they lacked direction and organisation in attack while their kicking game was not particularly threatening.
And a better team than Brisbane would have put more than 11 points on them. The Broncos blew several golden attacking chances that could have seen them win by 20-plus.
They will have to learn to live without Reynolds but Mitchell back in the no.1 jumper will give Souths much more attacking potency.
He is clearly keen to get back on the paddock given he has been fighting teammates at training with the club successfully petitioning the NRL to count the All Stars match towards his suspension.
Reynolds made life easier for Mitchell so it will be interesting to see how the fullback copes without the star halfback steering the Rabbitohs around the park, creating time, space and opportunities for the Souths backline out wide.
The Bunnies will be hurting after being humbled by the Broncos but that won’t be enough to beat Melbourne in Melbourne, especially with Munster back.
Prop Bet:
Ryan Papenhuyzen 1st Try ($11 at Ladbrokes)
