2016 NRL Round 12 Betting Tips
As we are now midway through the 2016 NRL season, we are met with the familiar undermanned teams as players gear up for next Wednesday’s Origin Game 1. So this week, as well as there being only 4 games, we will also have to watch many of the teams without their respective stars. Let’s take a look at the weekend with our NRL Round 12 betting tips.
Brisbane Broncos Vs Wests Tigers (Friday, May 27 at 7:50PM AEST)
Origin has depleted no team like it has Brisbane as the lose six key players to the representative competition. Losing seasoned players would hurt any side, but to lose your entire centre would almost surely mean a loss. Unfortunately for the Wests Tigers, Brisbane is still a very strong side. Jordan Kahu will shift to fullback to cover for Darius Boyd, while Greg Eden will slot onto the wing replacing Corey Oates. Sam Thaiday’s loss doesn’t sting as much as it used to, and youngster Jaydn S’ua will relish the opportunity to show WB he’s worth keeping around. Off field indiscretions have kept Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt in the line up. They will be instrumental in focusing the attack and executing the game plan.
The Tigers have, on the other hand, only really lost the impact of their Captain Aaron Woods as Robbie Farrah, who is also named for NSW, has become somewhat irrelevant this season.
With a less than stellar record this season, the Tigers would love nothing more than to knock off the Broncos at Suncorp. But we just can’t see that happening. The Broncos are an elite team. The lost of their stars will slow them down but it certainly will not expose them.
Bet On: Brisbane Broncos 1-12 – $3.20 at CrownBet
St George Illawarra Dragons Vs North Queensland Cowboys (Saturday, 28 May at 7:30PM AEST)
Like the Broncos, the Cowboys are heading into this one five players down. This of course includes reigning Dally M winner Johnathon Thurston. A very inexperienced halves pairing of Ray Thompson and Jahrome Hughes will attempt to steer the ship with both Michael Morgan and JT unavailable. Lachlan Coote will anchor the Cowboys and will be able to position himself to assure impactful possessions when the Cowboys have the ball.
The Dragons lose Josh Dugan but gain Benji Marshall who is returning from a hamstring injury. Tyson Frizzle was named for NSW but has been omitted and will now suit up for the Dragons in the back row. Kurt Mann will shift to the Wing and Jason Nightingale will play Fullback.
We were surprised to find the books have the Dragons as $1.70 favourites. It seems like a severe overreaction on their behalf. In our experience during this period, players in undermanned sides tend to lift and considering the Cowboys are one of the strongest sides in the competition we are eager to see how this one plays out.
Bet On: North Queensland Cowboys +2.5 – $1.92 at Ladbrokes
Canberra Raiders Vs Canterbury Bulldogs (Sunday, 29 May at 4:00PM AEST)
The Bulldogs and their fans certainly weren’t expecting to have Josh Morris available for Sunday’s clash. Despite being a familiar face for the Blues, he was omitted for Origin Game 1. Its safe to assume he will be leaving it all out on the field this week in an attempt to sway Coach Laurie Daley ahead of Game 2. Joshua Jackson is the only Bulldogs player missing due to Origin and with the Raiders only losing Josh Papalli, this one is looking like the match of the round.
Coming off back to back victories, the Bulldogs are slowing putting their season back on track. They tend to be dominant in attack but lacking defensively. This will need to change if they are to overcome the Raiders who are one of the most defense-orientated teams in the competition. Several Bulldogs players are surprisingly absent from Origin positions they’ve held without the worry of replacement. We expect Josh Reynolds and Josh Morris along with others to light it up on Sunday and announce they still deserve to be representing their state.
The Raiders, meanwhile, are the quiet achievers this season. Sitting on 5 wins, 5 losses and a draw, their season looks pretty average. Look closer and you’ll see they have only lost two games by more than a try and both losses came at the hand of teams over performing and producing blowouts. After back-to-back blowouts they stunned the Tigers 60-6.
Head-to-head this is a interesting one. Historically the Bulldogs have a slight advantage with 17 wins of the 31 games these two side have played. The latest result back in Round 4 saw the Raiders win 22-8. Normally we would lean toward the Raiders to win this one, but there’s something niggling away at me. Something saying that the Bulldogs will be on fire. Its tough, and so we’ll be staying away.
Bet On: No Bet
Newcastle Knights Vs Parramatta Eels (Monday, 30 May at 7:00PM AEST)
Two embattled teams will face off on Monday night. The Knights are playing so bad, their team is having emotion fuelled breakdowns on the field post match. The Eels are trapped in an endless negative news cycle. As each week goes by more and more issues arise. When will it end…
The Eels were outplayed by the Storm last Monday night losing 18-6. With the 6 points coming in the last 90 seconds of the game. Michael Jennings who scored that try is the only player missing this week. He will take the field for NSW in Origin Game 1. Vai Toutai has been recalled to the side starting in the centres.
Despite another loss for the Knights last week, they did show signs of improvement. They managed to lead the game for a period in the second half and remained competitive for majority of play. 2016 is over for the Knights if they cant win on Monday night. They enter this one without the services of Dane Gagai, Jack Stockwell and injured rookie Brock Lamb. The Knights will do yet another reshuffle naming Cory Denniss on the wing, Jaelen Feeney at Five-Eighth and Sam Mataora at prop.
With all the drama at Parramatta and a slowly improving Newcastle we’re expecting this one to be pretty tight.
Bet On: Either team by under 6.5 – $3.25 at CrownBet
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