Another cracking Super Saturday in Round 16 starts in Tamworth with the resurgent Warriors up against the finals bound Knights. The Sharks will surely seal up a finals position with a comfortable win over the injury-hit Cowboys. Then on Saturday night, can the Wests Tigers end the Panthers winning streak?
NRL Round 16 Saturday Betting Tips
Warriors vs Knights
Sat, Aug 29 3:00pm
After 3 wins in their last 4 outings, the Warriors are still a chance of finals and that makes this clash with the Knights a must-win. Despite losing Chanel Harris-Tavita before kick-off last week, the Warriors were able to overcome the Bulldogs in the 2nd half. Kodi Nikorima led the way with an impressive performance and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored the game-winning try in the 61st minute. Jack Murchie also enjoyed a rare double off the bench. Chanel Harris-Tavita will be back this week but halfback Paul Turner did show something in his first game last week. While in the second row, Katoa is back for Papali'i.
The Knights 12-0 win over the Cowboys last week won't be in the 2020 highlight reel but they'll take the 2 points. Despite out-gaining the Cowboys by almost 700 metres, they were sloppy with the ball and really should've of dominated the scoreboard. But they've basically shored up a top 8 position and will look to improve before the finals hit. However, a serious injury to new recruit Blake Green did sour the victory. So Mason Lino returns to the side at 5/8th.
Saturday afternoon conditions in Tamworth should be conducive to a high scoring contest and we like the Over as a result. This should be a great battle of the fullbacks - Ponga and Tuivasa-Sheck. Meanwhile, the Knights forward pack is proving hard to stop and the Warriors have scored 20 or more points in their 3 wins over the last 4 weeks.
Sharks vs Cowboys
Sat, Aug 29 5:30pm
Cronulla are holding onto 8th position at the moment but they'll be hoping they don't meet Penrith anytime soon. The Panthers once again smashed the Sharks defensively in the 38-12 result on Friday night. But to be fair, the Sharks were without Shaun Johnson after he was a late out. He's back this week and will have a new halves partner in Connor Tracey. The Sharks have lost patience with Matt Moylan who's been dropped. They will bring Briton Nikora back into the 2nd row and Talakai returns to his bench role.
Not much has gone right for the Cowboys in 2020 and the hits just keep on coming. During their 12-0 loss against the Knights, they lost Jason Taumalolo to a calf injury and their go-forward is always an issue when he's out. So they'll look for Molo and McLean to carry them up the field. There's more bad news with the exciting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow out with a hamstring issue. However, they do welcome back Valentine Holmes from injury and Daejarn Asi gets his chance at 5/8th again for Ben Hampton.
Tough to back against the Sharks here, especially with Taumalolo out for the reeling Cowboys. The Sharkies also beat the Cowboys in North QLD 26-16 in early June. During that game, Jesse Ramien scored a double and he's at very good odds to cross the line this week. He also scored last week against the tough Panthers defence.
Panthers vs Wests Tigers
Sat, Aug 29 7:35pm
Penrith will aim for their 11th straight victory on Saturday night as they host the West Tigers. So the Panthers Grand Final drought looks like it could be ending in 2020. However, they will be missing a few key players against Wests. The in-form Viliame Kikau has been suspended and the important Api Koroisau is out with injury. So Mitch Kenny comes into the side at hooker and Moses Leota gets his chance to start after impressing off the bench. It's also good to see winger Brian To'o back from injury and that will see Naden back into the centres.
Meanwhile, the Tigers awful record against the Roosters continued last Saturday as they went down 38-16. They're sitting in the familiar position of 9th on the ladder so the next few games are crucial for the Tigers top 8 hopes. But they do get some joy in the team selections. One of the finds of the season in Harry Grant will return to the side in the hooker position. They'll also get Alex Twal back into the starting side at lock.
Wests do seem to matchup well with the Panthers and we're fairly confident in their chances on Saturday night. In early July this year, they led at half-time against Penrith in the 19-12 loss and with Kikau / Koroisau out, the Panthers attack surely won't be as dominant. Tigers to cover.
