Will EvansNRL Round 9 Preview
May 8th 2009 05:12
North Queensland vs St. George-Illawarra
Rep players backing up: NQ - 2 ST G-ILL 7
The strain of a long trip to Townsville and having six players backing up 24 hours after rep duty could be the deciding factor for the Dragons hopes against the Cowboys on Saturday night. They will be boosted by the naming of Matt Cooper and Ben Hornby however, who failed a medical for the Country Origin side. Jeremy Smith will be missing however, after being ruled out of the Test with injury. Jonathon Thurston is sure to be drained after a torrid Test match, and Travis Burns and Aaron Payne need to take some of the ball-playing strain off their skipper.
Prediciton: Dragons by 8
Newcastle vs Gold Coast
Rep players backing up: NEW 3 GC 3
Both sides have three players backing up, but the difference is the Knights' rep trio are backs, while the Titans have three forwards with dual commitments. This could be telling at the back end of the match. The two sides staged a great battle in Round 1, with the Gold Coast coming back from a large deficit, so Newcastle will be wary of their opponent's ability to pile on quick points.
Prediction: Knights by 12
Brisbane vs Manly
Rep players backing up: BRIS 4 MAN 6
Manly have to overcome the rep drain and the premiership favourites to keep their title defence on track on Sunday. After a 2-6 start, it is starting to get desperate for Des Hasler's men. Brisbane have four of their star-studded backline backing up after rep duty, but the Sea Eagles have four of their international forwards playing two games in 48 hours, and could run out of puff. 2008 Dally M winner Matt Orford has to put his stamp on the game for his side to have any sort of a chance.
Prediction: Brisbane by 16
Sydney vs Melboune
Rep players backing up: SYD 3 MEL 6
Sunday represents a chance for the Roosters to kickstart their season against a weary Storm outfit, who have star backs Slater and Inglis, and four fowards back up from Friday's festivities. Sydney battled to put away last-placed Cronulla last weekend, while the Storm disposed of grand final nemesis Manly easily, but this game is anybody's. Anasta, Mason, Pearce et al will be out to avenge their rep snubbings with big performances against high-profile opposition, and an upset is on the cards.
Prediction: Roosters by 1
Rep players backing up: NQ - 2 ST G-ILL 7
The strain of a long trip to Townsville and having six players backing up 24 hours after rep duty could be the deciding factor for the Dragons hopes against the Cowboys on Saturday night. They will be boosted by the naming of Matt Cooper and Ben Hornby however, who failed a medical for the Country Origin side. Jeremy Smith will be missing however, after being ruled out of the Test with injury. Jonathon Thurston is sure to be drained after a torrid Test match, and Travis Burns and Aaron Payne need to take some of the ball-playing strain off their skipper.
Newcastle vs Gold Coast
Rep players backing up: NEW 3 GC 3
Both sides have three players backing up, but the difference is the Knights' rep trio are backs, while the Titans have three forwards with dual commitments. This could be telling at the back end of the match. The two sides staged a great battle in Round 1, with the Gold Coast coming back from a large deficit, so Newcastle will be wary of their opponent's ability to pile on quick points.
Prediction: Knights by 12
Brisbane vs Manly
Rep players backing up: BRIS 4 MAN 6
Manly have to overcome the rep drain and the premiership favourites to keep their title defence on track on Sunday. After a 2-6 start, it is starting to get desperate for Des Hasler's men. Brisbane have four of their star-studded backline backing up after rep duty, but the Sea Eagles have four of their international forwards playing two games in 48 hours, and could run out of puff. 2008 Dally M winner Matt Orford has to put his stamp on the game for his side to have any sort of a chance.
Sydney vs Melboune
Rep players backing up: SYD 3 MEL 6
Sunday represents a chance for the Roosters to kickstart their season against a weary Storm outfit, who have star backs Slater and Inglis, and four fowards back up from Friday's festivities. Sydney battled to put away last-placed Cronulla last weekend, while the Storm disposed of grand final nemesis Manly easily, but this game is anybody's. Anasta, Mason, Pearce et al will be out to avenge their rep snubbings with big performances against high-profile opposition, and an upset is on the cards.
Prediction: Roosters by 1
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