NRL PREVIEWS & PLAYS
...with OTP's National Rugby League expert
Updated 8:47 PM AEST, Thursday 2 September
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NRL ROUND TWENTY-SIX
Titans -4.0 v Tigers
2 at 1.92
?
The Titans five game winning streak came to
an abrupt end last week when they were thrashed by the Sharks with the
loss being a timely reminder for them and I'm sure they'll use it as a
wake up call leading into the finals, they do welcome Laffranchi back to
the side this week which will aid their cause against a Tigers side hign
on confidence but with a few injury concerns. The Titans risk this being
their last match of the season at Skilled Park if they lose but a win
would ensure them home advantage for at least one more match - so the
stakes are high. The Tigers win over the Storm took a toll on the side
and they'll struggle to match up with the Titans here. The Bookies have
the home side as favourites but the line is not large and they'll cover
it. Pick - 2 units on Titans -5.5 poiint start
Eels to bt Warriors
3 at 1.91
It's been a disgraceful end to the
season from the Eels and the lack of intensity in them last week in
losing to the Rabbitohs was hard to stomach but with this now officially
being their last game of the season they at least have a chance to end
it on somewhat of a high and send their long serving captain Nathan
Cayless out with a bang. The Eels have named close to their strongest
available side for this match - most of whom featured in last years
Grand Final - and I'm sure they will shelve their little pre-teen
attitude problems for just one match and send Cayless, and others, off
in style with a good win over a Warriors side who we all know tend to
struggle more often than not playing away from New Zealand. Credit must
be given to the Warriors for the excellent performance last week in
thrashing a very very poor Broncos side and cementing their spot in the
final eight, however, with nothing to lose and a big crowd behind them
we're going to see the Eels chance their hand at everything here which
spells big trouble for the Warriors as there are few sides more
devastating on their day than the Eels.....and this will be their day.
The Bookies can't split these sides which is good for us as the Eels
offer very good value. Pick - 3 units on Eels to win
(BEST BET)
Sharks +9.5 v Panthers
3 at 1.92
?
Whilst they are languishing down the bottom
of the table the Sharks are still a very dangerous side as they proved
last week in dismantling the Titan. Since Shane Flanagan has taken over
as coach of the Sharks he's installed a freshness throughout the side
that's definitely showing on the field with extra enthusiasm and
direction. The Panthers are without thier captain Petero Civonciva
(suspencded) and Halfback Luke Walsh (injured) here - two big blows, and
up against a born again Sharks side who are out to farewell Luke Covell
and Trent Barrett in style. The Bookies have given the Sharks a decent
point start which we'll happily accept. Pick - 3 units on Sharks +9.5
point start
NRL ROUND TWENTY-FIVE
Eels -5.0 v Rabbitohs
2 at 1.92
-2
With their seasons at stake and everything
to play for both these sides put in a couple of D-Grade performances
last week and all but eliminated themselves from the race for a top
eight finish in 2010. The Bunnies loss to the Panthers was particularly
toothless given the huge margin whilst the Eels came close to the Tigers
but never really lifted the intensity to where it needed to be – the
question this week though is which of these sides will still have that
fairytale belief that the oh-so faint glimmer of hope they have of
making the finals is worth putting everything on the line for…my money
is on the Eels as they have the leadership and quality through the side
to demand they at least die trying in 2010. This is the penultimate game
in the marathon career of Nathan Cayless and his side will rally for
their long-time leader. Mortimer has been brought back in to five-eighth
for the Eels and I’m sure we’ll see something special from him as he’s
given this chance to impress, the key though for the Eels is their
execution as they have the game breakers in Mateo, Moimoi, Hayne and co
to worry any defensive line but their error rate is hurting them. The
Bunnies miss Sutton in the Halves, with Sandow and Capewell struggling
for cohesion, and this has affected the sides general attack, the Eels
however have options galore and will certainly not struggle for points
against what’s been a paper thin Bunnies defensive line of late. Pick –
2 units on Eels -5.0 point start
Sharks +8.5 v Titans
3 at 1.80
+2.4
The Titans continued their run of
impressive form with an upset win over the Roosters last week but face a
different build up to this clash as they are hot favourites and up
against a Sharks side playing their final home game of 2010, as well as
this being Trent Barrett’s final game at Shark Park of his career. The
Titans are also down on personnel with Laffranchi and Campbell both out
injured for this clash. We saw two weeks ago in their win over the
Roosters that this Sharks side are capable of good things on their day
and with Shane Flanagan having had a good few weeks as head coach he’ll
have his side charging for a positive end to the season. The Bookies
have given the Sharks a decent point start which offers good value
against a Titans side that will be punished if they underestimate this
Sharks side in the slightest, this has boil-over potential but we’ll
play it safe. Pick – 3 units on Sharks +8.5 point start
(BEST BET)
Storm to bt Tigers
2 at 2.70
-2
The Storm have endured a season that
nightmares are made of and they certainly won’t be upset that they’ve
just two games remaining, what will get the emotions running high though
is the fact so many members of this team of champions are going their
separate ways very shortly and I will be very surprised if they don’t go
out with their heads held high in victory. This is a great match for the
Storm to make a statement and remind us all that whilst they’ve been
stripped of all points they’re still one of the better (if not best)
sides in the competition and what better way to do this than against the
high flying Tigers who’re currently third on the points table. The Storm
have close to their best available side taking the field in this match
and will be have it over the Tigers with talent to burn in nearly every
position. It’s a measure of the weakness of this years competition that
a side like the Tigers are sitting two points away from the top of the
table and this week could be a rude awakening for them. The Bookies have
the Storm at good value and we’ll have a piece of it.
Pick – 2 units on Storm to win
2010 BRITISH OPEN
Tiger Woods 4.50
Lee Westwood 13.00
Phil Mickelson 15.00
P Harrington 17.00
Rory Mcilroy 17.00
Ernie Els 21.00
Ian Poulter 31.00
Adam Scott 34.00
Anthony Kim 34.00
Paul Casey 34.00
Martin Kaymer 34.00
Sergio Garcia 41.00
Jim Furyk 41.00
Geoff Ogilvy 41.00
Luke Donald 41.00
Retief Goosen 41.00
Hunter Mahan 41.00
Steve Stricker 41.00
Ross Fisher 41.00
G Mcdowell 41.00
-2
+2.4
RECORD
