Couch Critic previews the NRL matches taking place on 18th and 19th March including his best bets and tryscorer specials with @Olimp_SA
NRL ROUND 2 – THURSDAY & FRIDAY MATCHES
Week 1 didn’t quite pan out the way I had hoped. The Broncos vs Eels game went close to how I saw it going down but the Bulldogs were still mere poodles on the park and the Rabbitohs were way too slow out of the blocks.
Let’s delve into Round 2 in search of some value.
PARRAMATTA EELS vs MELBOURNE STORM – Thu 18 Mar @ 11:05, Parramatta
It was two contrasting stories for these two sides this past weekend. The Storm were all lightning and thunder right out the gate whilst the Eels needed a second half resurgence to get the job done in Brisbane. Parramatta will be hoping to kick on from their effort in the second forty against the Broncos if they are to challenge the clinical Storm who look to have no early issues with adapting to life after Cam Smith.
Verdict
The Eels are a slippery outfit - not the type of team you just blow off the park. I expect this to be a tight, tactical affair with the visitors grinding their way to victory in the end.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS vs NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS – Fri 19 Mar @ 09:00, Gosford
Both teams proved a touch more resilient than I expected in their openers. In wet weather the Newcastle pack led by Daniel Saifiti bullied the Dogs into submission. The Titans were expected to perform much better in Gosford last week (certainly by yours truly) but we were left wondering whether it was the Warriors who were better than anticipated or the Titans who were worse…
Verdict
The Knights will be delighted that Bradman Best and Kurt Mann are available despite Round 1 knocks and I expect them to play a major part against a Warriors side who don’t really have the benefit of home ground advantage. Throw in a pack that has the likes of Clemmer, Saifiti and Frizell at their disposal and I am favouring the visitors.
GOLD COAST TITANS vs BRISBANE BRONCOS – Fri 12 Mar @ 11:05, Gold Coast
We have ourselves a neighbourly derby at the beach for this one. The Titans left me in tears as they failed to deliver as expected against the Kiwis. David Fifita might be invited for some beers in the visitors changeroom at the conclusion of the contest but for the 80 minutes on the park the ex-Bronco is sure to have a big red target on his back. Personally I can’t wait to see the collision between Pangai Jnr and Fifita.
Verdict
The Broncos started with fire and passion but ended the game on their hands and knees. Fitness and mental capacity was where the Brisbane side were caught well short in 2020 and they need to turn that around asap in 2021 if they are looking for a different outcome.
BETOLIMP BETS
Knights to beat the Warriors @ 1.86 (Best Bet)
Double: Storm to win onto Broncos +13.5 @ 2.03
Round 2 Exotics:
Eels vs Storm
HT/FT Margin: Storm (9+) /Storm (1-12) @ 10.78
Last Tryscorer - Isaiah Papali'i @ 40.18
The Storms started strong in their previous match whilst the Eels were caught cold. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same type of match flow in Round 2. Papali’i was an absolute beast off the bench last week and he is a nice price about being the last man to visit the pie shop in this encounter.
Warriors vs Knights
Anytime Tryscorer – Daniel Saifiti @ 7.35
To score two or more tries – Bradman Best @ 8.33
I expect a very tight first forty but Knights to take it in the end. Best got himself off and running in the opener and I expect him to keep it rolling. Off the back of a double against the Doggies one has to think there is some value about Saifiti to roam loose and dangerously yet again.
Titans vs Broncos
HT/FT Margin: Broncos (1-8) / Titans (1-12) @ 9.80
Wincast: Xavier Coates to score the first try and Titans to win the game @ 20.58
This combination almost worked for us last week. At the price it’s worth another go since I expect Coates to keep scoring and the Broncos to start fast again.
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