NRL ROUND 1 PREVIEW
TONIGHT
DRAGONS V BRONCOS Jubilee Oval 7.05pm (AEST)
Played 37, Broncos 23, Dragons 14
Last met: Broncos 24-12, round 24, 2017
At last year’s Broncos’ presentation ball Wayne Bennett referred to Ben Hunt as ‘one of us’, but tonight he is the enemy. And while Hunt will be pressured by the club that put him on scholarship when he was 12, the hottest blowtorch is on the Broncos’ halves pairing of Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford. The forward clash should be absorbing with Matt Lodge under a glaring spotlight, but given an even share of possession and luck, the experienced outside backs for the Broncos should get the job done.
TIP – Broncos
TOMORROW NIGHT
KNIGHTS V SEA EAGLES McDonald Jones Stadium 5pm (AEST) History: Played 48, Sea Eagles 31, Knights 17
Last met: Sea Eagles 18-14, round 14, 2017
Since youngster Kalyn Ponga signed with the Knights in November 2016, and their aggressive recruitment campaign started, most NRL fans have eagerly awaited this day. Their trial form was ordinary but with the likes of Mitchell Pearce, Jacob Lillyman and Aiden Guerra on board, big things are expected in Newcastle. Conversely, the Sea Eagles have recruited sparsely and will start the season underdone, and minus the brilliant Dylan Walker.
TIP – Knights COWBOYS V SHARKS 13000Smiles Stadium, 7.05pm (AEST)
Played 44, Sharks 27, Cowboys 17
Last met: Cowboys 15-14, elimination final 2017
With Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott back, as well as Kangaroo prop Jordan McLean, the 2017 grand finalists deserve to be at unbackable odds to win this. The Cowboys were outstanding in dreadful conditions at Suncorp Stadium 10 days ago and few weak links appear. The Sharks will again be strong but a new halves pairing, an ageing forward pack and no recognised goalkicker will count them out in this.
TIP – Cowboys
SATURDAY
TIGERS V ROOSTERS ANZ Stadium, 3.30pm (AEST)
Played 30, Roosters 22, Tigers 8
Last met: Roosters 22-18, round 24, 2017
The hugely revamped Tigers could not have a more telling first-up test – the premiership favourites. Tigers fans will be keen to gauge their overhauled team but the remainder of us will be running the rule over the million-dollar men from Bondi. Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco won’t set the world on fire immediately but their impact will be meticulously monitored, as will the discipline of the Roosters’ forwards and their perceived goalkicking woes.
TIP – Roosters RABBITOHS V WARRIORS Perth Stadium 6pm (AEST)
Played 31, Warriors 18, Rabbitohs 13
Last met: Rabbitohs 36-8, round 24, 2017 Constantly under fire for their inconsistency, the Warriors face a demanding 2018 start – a 6½ hour flight to Perth with a five-hour time difference thrown in. But at least they meet the equally suspect Rabbitohs, with a new coach, an unsettled line-up and a hugely underdone superstar skipper. Much interest will be on whether Adam Blair and Tohu Harris can add some mongrel to the Kiwi forwards, although the fitness of Greg Inglis will intrigue most.
TIP – Rabbitohs BULLDOGS V STORM Perth Stadium 8.05pm (AEST)
Played 38, Bulldogs 21, Storm 17
Last met: Storm 12-6, round 1, 2017
Dean Pay has apparently brought major attitudinal change to the disappointing Dogs of 2017, but will that transfer to on-field performance? Like many of the refurbished clubs, gelling will take time. The Storm, however, proved in the World Club Challenge they have barely missed a beat despite the loss of influential Cooper Cronk, Jordan McLean and Tohu Harris. Billy Slater’s injury has caused a reshuffle but the Storm will jump out of the blocks in Perth.
TIP – Storm
SUNDAY
PANTHERS V EELS Panthers Stadium 3.10pm (AEST) Played 94, Eels 56, Panthers 37, drawn 1
Last met: Eels 18-12, round 8 2017
This time last year the Panthers were tipped to cause a premiership boilover but now, following their disappointing end to 2017, rumours fly that not all is well at the foot of the Blue Mountains. But the opposite is the case at Parramatta with the Eels favoured by many to spoil the planned parties of some more-favoured hot shots. Coach Brad Arthur has moulded this club into a team and they appear to have few weaknesses. All eyes will be on Jarryd Hayne.
TIP – Eels TITANS V RAIDERS Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm (AEST)
Played 20, Titans 11, Raiders 9
Last met: Raiders 42-16, round 8, 2017
The Raiders are one of the few clubs over which the Titans hold an historical edge but the gap should shrink on Sunday evening. Not only do the Titans have new owners, a new chairman and a new coach, five new faces will line up against the Raiders – not a great recipe for first-up success. Canberra though aren’t exactly settled with queries over their halves and hooker and – still – their discipline.
TIP – Raiders