NRL Predictions

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters: top meets fourth, with a semi-final spot on the line Penrith clinched the minor premiership on the final day of round 27. The Roosters were still in the hunt until a shock loss to the Wests Tigers. This qualifying final takes place on Sunday 13 September at CommBank Stadium in…

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys: two slipping sides meet in a knockout tie The Sharks have lost four of their last five games. The Cowboys come in off a 50-30 beating in Canberra. Those two rough patches collide on Saturday 12 September at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, with kick-off set for 19:50 local time…

New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins: 13 straight wins between them in Auckland The Warriors come in on a six-game winning streak, the Dolphins on seven. No other fixture in the opening week of the finals pits together two runs this long. The showdown is set for Saturday, 12 September at 18:05 New Zealand time, or…

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights: 34 points apiece, and a season and a match on the line Fourteen wins, ten losses, 34 points: South Sydney and Newcastle finished the NRL regular season with exactly the same record. Only points difference separates them in the table, 113 for the Rabbitohs and 42 for the Knights.…

Warriors vs Sea Eagles: the numbers behind a side in full flight The Warriors have put 40 points or more on the board in four of their last five outings. Five straight wins round off the picture ahead of Manly’s visit. This final regular-season game takes place at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Saturday,…

Sharks vs Storm: five key men rested by the Sharks, one number that changes everything Craig Fitzgibbon has left Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey, Teig Wilton and KL Iro out of the squad for the final round. Add Tom Hazelton’s one-match ban for a hip drop and the picture becomes even clearer. The game is at…

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders: seven wins from eight, and the numbers back it up The Cowboys have won seven of their last eight meetings with Canberra. The record between these two clubs leaves little room for debate. This one closes out the 27th and final round of the Telstra Premiership regular season, on…

Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers: a minor premiership decided by a single point difference Penrith and the New Zealand Warriors are both on 40 points after 23 rounds. Just one points-difference point separates the two clubs, +309 for Auckland against +308 for Penrith. That tiny bit of bookkeeping decides the minor premiership, and it goes…

St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels : 88 points conceded in two games, the red and white defence has fallen apart The Dragons have shipped 88 points across their last two matches, both defeats. That about sums up a season that has left them bottom of the Telstra Premiership. It all wraps up for…