Saturday NRL action is fast becoming the most exciting day for rugby league fans. It is 7+ hours of back-to-back rugby league action. This means plenty of opportunities for punters to return a profit. This week will start in Queensland at the Warriors adopted home of Redcliffe, as they host the Broncos.
Both teams are establishing a new direction and need this victory. NRL action heads to rural NSW, as Wagga Wagga sees the Sea Eagles host the Raiders. The form of each team has been questionable to say the least and greater consistency and execution is required over 80 minutes.
To end the evening, the surprising Cowboys host the Roosters. No one expected the form of either side to this point and this game will serve as another tester to whether teams have improved or the top teams are slow to start the season (or both!).
NRL Round 4 Saturday Betting Tips
New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos
Saturday 2nd April, Moreton Dailey Stadium, 3pm (AEDT)
Squads
New Zealand Warriors
1. Reece Walsh 2. Adam Pompey 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Rocco Berry 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh Curran Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Murchie 18. Taniela Otukolo
Brisbane Broncos
1. Tesi Nui 2. CoreyOoates 3. Katoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Albert Kelly 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Ryan James 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Keenan Palasia 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan Interchange: 14. Thomas Flegler 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Teui Robati 17. Billy Walters 18. David Mead
Match Preview
Just as the Broncos appeared to be a different team, they came crashing back to earth last week with a 38-12 loss at home to the Cowboys. It was more a matter of a near faultless display from their opponents rather than a lack of execution on their part. If they do want to address an area (or two) they can start with their 38 tackles and 12 errors. That loss will hardly knock them moving forward and they are still capable of winning here.
The Warriors were luckier in their 16-12 win over the Tigers, blessed by refereeing blunders and an opponent unable to close out the match. The odds are far closer than are warranted; had the Broncos finished closer to the Cowboys last week (or even won) they would be far shorter. The short trip to this ground will also assist the Broncos and they should cover the line and perhaps win by 13+. Their forwards are superior and their halves have more experience to be able to capitalise on their opponents errors.
Alternate Bets:
Broncos 13+ ($3.40 at Ladbrokes)
Katoni Staggs Anytime Tryscorer ($2.60 at Ladbrokes)
Broncos -3.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders
Saturday 2nd April, Glen Willow Oval, 5:30pm (AEDT)
Squads
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Sean Keppie 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Toafofoa Sipley
Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sami Valemei 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Elliott Whitehead Interchange: 14. Matt Frawley 15. Emre Guler 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Xavier Savage
Match Preview
The Sea Eagles were winless last week and were lucky to scrape past the Bulldogs 13-12 courtesy of a 76th minute FG from DCE. In unfavourable conditions, the Sea Eagles were below their best with an inferior completion rate (70%) and high error count (18). The victory will improve their confidence, but questions remain. In equal measure, the Raiders are a team which is just as puzzling. Trailing 22-nil after 40 minutes. From that point onwards, they clawed their way back into the contest and prevailed 24-22 on the back of a swing in possession.
The form ahead of this game leaves punters puzzled as to which way to invest. The fact that the Raiders are still experiencing a heavy injury toll has the Sea Eagles as favourites ($1.45 v $2.75). It is difficult to invest on this game with any confidence but if you must have a bet, expect the Sea Eagles to prevail by less than 2 converted tries. Otherwise, this is another match to avoid and enjoy the contest, get a better understand of both sides and enjoy what this game has to offer.
Sea Eagles 1-12
$2.70 (1 Unit)
North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters
Saturday 2nd April, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Squads
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Fedlt 3. Valentine Homes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Ceon Hess 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo Interchange: 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Billy Smith 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley Interchange: 14. Drew Hutchinson 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 16. Angus Crichton 17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 18. Naufahu Whyte
Match Preview
The Cowboys produced a near faultless (92% completion rate, 3 errors) performance against the Broncos last week in their 38-12 victory. Performances like this will ensure they finish in the Top 8 at the end of September. It was a different story for the Roosters who were beaten at the defensive line by the Rabbitohs, eventually suffering a 28-16 loss. Appearing off the pace, the Roosters lacked intensity at key stages and were only flattered by a 71st minute try to narrow the margin. It is a different story this week though, with the potential of both sides at the opposite end to one another.
There are only a few teams who could bounce back from such a performance and the Roosters are one of them. The Cowboys are still developing as a side, and they have hardly played a team with the same quality as the Roosters (played Bulldogs, Raiders & Broncos). This week will be a real test for them. Even with Roosters coach Trent Robinson not traveling to Townsville due to COVID, the visitors should still be too strong. After questionable performances to start the year, this could be the week they break free and run up a tally on their opponents.
Alternate Bets:
Roosters 13+ ($2.60 at Ladbrokes)
Momirovski Anytime Tryscorer ($3.10 at Ladbrokes)
Roosters -6.5
$2.00 (1.5 Units)
