2016 NRL Round 16 Betting Tips
After a thrilling Origin Game 2 on Wednesday it’s time for us to return our focus to the regular 2016 Rugby League season as we offer our NRL Round 16 betting tips.
Penrith Panthers Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Friday, June 24))
The Bunnies have named a new-look line up that now includes the services of both Adam Reynolds and Greg Inglis who are returning from Origin duties. Their return shifts Cody Walker to fullback, while Luke Keary comes in to the halves with Reynolds, Alex Johnson moves across to his preferred position on the wing and Inglis will slot back into the centres. Tautalatasi Tasi is also set to make his NRL debut after being named on the rightside wing. Aaron Gray is also named in the centres with Dane Nielsen, Kirisome Auva’a, Siosifa Talakai have all been omitted. Paul Carter has been suspended for one match after a stupid mid-kick tackle on Corey Norman during last weeks loss to the Eels. He has been replaced on the bench by Jack Gosiewski.
The Panthers are sticking with the same side that downed the Sea Eagles two weeks ago. Coming off the bye, the Panthers will be well rested and ready to fire.
The Bunnies are so up and down this season. If this week’s combination can work hard for at least 50% of the time, the will trouble the Panthers. Its do-or-die for both teams and if the Rabbitohs want to play finals, they’ll need to start winning with some form of consistency. Meanwhile, if the Panthers, who are on the cusp in 9th position, want to break in to the eight and cement a place in the finals, they too can’t afford to miss this opportunity.
Coming off the break and the fact both Inglis and Reynolds are backing up after Game Two, i’ts safe to assume the Panthers will have an edge in this one – though I do believe it will be closer then many predict and the Rabbitohs could even snag a win.
Tip: South Sydney Rabbitohs +8.5 – $1.92 at CrownBet
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Vs Brisbane Broncos (Saturday, June 25)
Brisbane has six players backing up from Origin on Saturday night. Backing up is a massive effort for even one player, but a third of your team is going to raise some concerns.
Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett and Corey Parker all had big games for the Maroons on Wednesday night. This will of course take its toll by slowing them down, making the contest slightly more even. With the rest off the team coming off a bye, and considering mastermind Wayne Bennett is at the helm, I cant imagine the Broncos losing this one.
The Bulldogs are persistent this season, as well as consistent as they are sticking with the same line-up as a fortnight ago when the beat the Dragons 34-16. They have scored 20+ points in each of their last 5 matches. Joshua Jackson and David Kemmer are the only bulldogs who appeared in Game Two. They will both take the field on Saturday night after it was announced the Bulldogs will be with out Josh Morris, Greg Eastwood, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Tim Browne. Losing these guys definitely shifts the momentum back toward the Broncos.
Before the late withdrawals, this one looked like the Broncos in a tight contest. These changes will really open up the gap between these two sides and we should see the Broncos overpower the Bulldogs for the 80 minutes.
Tip: Brisbane Broncos 13+ – $4.75 at CrownBet
Melbourne Storm Vs Wests Tigers (Sunday, June 26)
Cam Smith is notorious for having huge games when he is backing up from a representative match. He also likes to continuously show Robbie Farrah why he’s been Australia’s hooker for the last decade. Robbie has had a tough season and would no longer be in consideration this time, though that wont stop Smith rubbing it in a little.
Cooper Cronk is also backing up and after a solid performance on Wednesday night we are expecting Cooper to have a bit of fun against the Tigers. Cameron Munster also returns to the side after missing last week as a late withdrawal, while Blake Green has been named at five-eighth.
Refreshed after last week’s bye, the Tigers welcome back Captain Aaron Woods and Robbie Farrah who are both returning from Origin duties. The only other change comes from Jordan Rankin who will replace Josh Addo-Carr on the wing. The Tigers have found some form since their Round 7 loss to Melbourne, though a full strength Storm will be a huge test for them.
Storm are coming into this one off the back of a loss to the Dragons. It was the first time this season they had given up 20 points. The inclusion of Smith, Cronk and Munster will right the ship and Melbourne will get back to their dominating ways.
Tip: Melbourne Strom -13.5 – $1.92 at CrownBet
North Queensland Cowboys Vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (Monday, June 27)
This one is looking pretty boring. The Cowboys will win, the only question is by how much. Unlike many other teams, the Cowboys never seem to slowdown when facing a weaker opposition. This season alone we’ve seen them demoralise the Roosters 40-0, the Dragons 36-0, the Rabbitohs 44-18, the Knights 46-16 and back in Round 9 they traveled to Brookvale and beat the Sea Eagles 34-18.
Townsville is one of the toughest assignments in NRL football today. The Cowboys are a tough side and this week is no exception. Johnathan Thurston will look to back-up after winning his 35th straight Origin appearance as will Matt Scott. Michael Morgan, however, will not take the field on Monday after he suffered a PCL Knee injury on Wednesday night. James Tamou has also been named to back up after his Origin performance.
The Sea Eagles are looking forward to the return Daly Cherry-Evans who they have missed the last few weeks with injury. DCE will line up at halfback, while Apisai Koroisau will shift to hooker. Dylan Walker is unlikely to back up after his Origin appearance. This will likely see Pita Godinet stay at five-eighth.
Losing Michael Morgan hurts the Cowboys. He is very good at playing off JT and their pairing is one of the best in the league. His withdrawal shouldn’t effect the Cowboys overall performance and they will still enjoy a sizeable victory.
Tip: North Queensland Cowboys -15.5 – $1.92 at Ladbrokes
+ Tip: Total Points Over 46.5 – $1.90 at CrownBet
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