Uncool Dad’s Bunnies TV Round 7 Preview
There’s no rest in the NRL when it comes to reviewing and previewing games with the last round only finishing yesterday. But wall to wall league is the way I like it so let’s see what this week has in store.
Having a quick glance at the games before I do my deep dive, it doesn’t take a league fanatic to notice that it’s going to be hard to pick winners. Adding to the closeness of the contests is the rising injury toll amongst most of the teams. Is it just me or does it seem like there’s more injuries this year? I suppose the 11 day stand down for concussion is having an impact but there seems to be a lot of other major injury setbacks happening too.
Last Week
Unfortunately, last week was probably my worst tipping wise since I’ve been doing these write-ups. I only managed 4/8 which isn’t terrible but obviously I’m hoping to do better than that. The bets went 4/8 also which would have left you slightly behind had you backed them all at level stakes. Again, not tragic but hoping for more success this time around. Only 1 more sleep till the Bunnies kick us off on Thursday so let’s get stuck in!
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Robert Jennings 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. JJ Collins 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. Mason Teague 20. Edrick Lee 21. Jack Bostock 22. Valynce Te Whare
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Jai Arrow 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 16. Davvy Moale 17. Hame Sele 18. Taane Milne 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Ben Lovett 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Tallis Duncan
Dolphins +11.5, Rabbitohs -11.5
The Match
Two last start winners face off in the Round 7 opener and there’s plenty of interest for all in this match. Not only do you have two sides that have found form, you’ve got the first game between the master (Bennett) and the apprentice (Demetriou). Anyone who thinks this is a normal game is kidding themselves as it will mean everything to both men. As a Souths fan, I’m personally very worried about what the crafty old fox has planned.
In team news, a big boost for Souths with Arrow and Johnston returning. However, this is balanced by the loss of Tatola and the likely out of Thompson. Jesse Bromwich comes back for the Dolphins which will no doubt add to their already over-achieving pack.
The Tip
As you know, I always tip Souths but so will most in this fixture. The Rabbitohs team looks much stronger on paper and should get the win if they perform to potential. But we’re talking about the Dolphins here as an opponent and when you underestimate them you suffer. I hope Souths aren’t another team which falls to this fate which has been so common in 2023.
The Bet
No bet. I’d love to see the Rabbitohs rack up another score like on Good Friday but will be happy with the 2 points.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Royce Hunt 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Wade Graham 15. Jack Williams 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Connor Tracey 20. Tuku Hau Tapuha 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Jayden Berrell
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Terrell May 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Corey Allan 19. Siua Wong 20. Paul Momirovski 21. Jake Turpin 22. Elie El Zakhem
Sharks +2.5, Roosters -2.5
The Match
The Sharks/Roosters clash looks one of quality and a very strange choice for the graveyard shift of 6pm on a Friday. Both sides look more or less full-strength but the Sharks are missing Finucane and Rudolf which is significant. Graham returns on the bench which may help a little. For the Roosters, Tedesco comes back after an 11 day stand down and Lodge has his first game in a while.
The Tip
The Rabbitoh in me wanted to go with the Sharks at home but I think the Roosters is the best choice. They look a lot better with Tedesco at the back and Lodge is a good inclusion too. They will be very keen to make amends after a bit of a disaster in Melbourne last week. The Sharks can definitely win but I think the loss of Finucane and Rudolf may hurt them.
The Bet
Roosters straight out at $1.73 seems decent.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 6. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Aaron Woods 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Sean Keppie 19. Samuela Fainu 20. Ben Condon 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 22. Josh Schuster
Storm team: 1. Cameron Munster 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Tariq Sims 18. Grant Anderson 19. Aaron Pene 20. Tyran Wishart 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Jack Howarth
Sea-Eagles +4.5, Storm -4.5
The Match
In Round 6, the Sea-Eagles put in their most disappointing performance of the year. They were very uninspiring against a red-hot Penrith when some gave them a chance. The Storm however, have really hit form and looked on song against the Roosters. Once again, it looks as if Souths has got a team into form… Melbourne are starting to look good now with their forwards doing their job and their stars delivering.
In team news, Manly have Garrick missing due to concussion which isn’t great and there would have to be a bit of doubt over Tommy Turbo. Schuster is on the extended bench too which means he may not suit up either. I suppose we’ll know closer to kick-off.
The Storm have lost the red-hot Meaney due to concussion but don’t suffer too much as Munster is at fullback. He often goes even better there! Pezet takes his spot in the halves and has done well in his few appearances.
The Tip
This game may be at Brookie and Manly will be looking to bounce back but I like the look of Melbourne here. After a shaky start they look to be building back to that Storm side of old which performs every week. Manly look to have lost a bit of confidence in recent weeks and have a few guys under injury clouds.
The Bet
Storm at $1.62 isn’t sensational value but looks solid. I think I may play the -4.5 instead though as I can see them winning by more than a converted try.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Dylan Walker 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Tohu Harris 14. Taine Tuaupiki 15. Josh Curran 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Tom Ale 18. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Demitric Sifakula 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Zyon Maiu’u
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Mitchell Dunn 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Tomas Chester 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Riley Price 18. Jack Gosiewski 19. Ben Hampton 20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Taniela Sadrugu
Warriors -0.5, Cowboys +0.5
The Match
The early Saturday match has two last start losers lined up ready to go for the much needed 2 points. The Warriors bubble burst at Newcastle last week but they weren’t at all disgraced. More disappointment for the Cowboys though, losing at home as heavy favourites to the Dolphins.
There’s a couple of noteworthy changes for both teams in this game. Harris is back for NZ but Martin and Egan are missing. Dylan Walker fills in at 5/8 whilst Lussick comes in at hooker. Not bad replacements but probably a downgrade. Not so much with Walker who has been good at his new club.
The Cowboys are starting to look a lot stronger with Nanai and Taulagi returning but Neame is out for a while. I think he’s been a standout in a pretty ordinary start for the Cows.
The Tip
This is a really 50/50 game as indicated by the betting but I’m going to side with the Warriors despite their outs. The Cowboys could put it all together here but for me they’ve been very underwhelming so far. The Warriors have been the opposite and I don’t mind them at all in front of a big Kiwi crowd. It’s 5pm NZ time so it should have a good night-game atmosphere in Auckland.
The Bet
I like Warriors straight out at $1.89. Also either team 1-12 looks good as it will likely be tight.
Knights team: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mathew Croker 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Jack Johns 17. Brodie Jones 18. Enari Tuala 19. Dylan Lucas 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Ryan Rivett
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Tyrone Peachey 19. Jack Cogger 20. Liam Martin 21. Luke Garner 22. Thomas Jenkins
Knights +15.5, Panthers -15.5
The Match
The Knights look to have finally found their mojo in 2023. Their new signings have been great and the guys that have been there a while look to have found some enthusiasm. Unsurprisingly, Penrith were also last-start winners racking up another huge score for the 2nd week in a row.
Still no Ponga for Newcastle but is that really a negative? They seem to be going better than ever without him. A massive out though is Jayden Brailey who has done his ACL for the 2nd time. This got lost in the Adam Doueihi news from yesterday but is just as horrible. They’ll fight on but that’s a massive loss.
Penrith look unchanged from last round but Martin has been named on an extended bench so there’s a good chance he’ll be there.
The Tip
I hate to say it but Penrith are starting to look very ominous again. I expect Newcastle to be a lot better than Canberra and Manly were but I still expect a Panthers victory.
The Bet
Even though I expect a Penrith win, the line of -15.5 looks a little big to take. I can’t be confident of Newcastle covering either so I think I’ll leave it.
Titans team: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Jo Vuna 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Klese Haas 19. Jojo Fifita 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Thomas Weaver 22. Sam McIntyre
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 18. Jordan Pereira 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Brendan Frei 21. Jock Madden 22. Xavier Willison
Titans +11.5, Broncos -11.5
The Match
These QLD derbies are getting out of control with one or more every week. I know it’s good for the game but give me a Sydney battle anyday! The Broncos come off a shock loss to Canberra whilst Gold Coast grabbed a tough win over St George-Illawarra.
In team news, Foran comes back into the GC line-up whilst Flegler misses for Brisbane and is replaced by Jensen. Hetherington also returns and may add a bit of spark off the bench.
The Tip
Brisbane were pretty poor last week but I like them to bounce back here. Their errors caught up with them and their forwards were out-enthused. They couldn’t even rely on Reynolds to get them out of trouble like they usually do. There’s a chance this could happen again but I think they’re a much better side than the Titans.
The Bet
I’ll take the Broncos to bounce back strongly here with the -11.5.
Raiders team: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Harley Smith-Shields 19. Trey Mooney 20. Peter Hola 21. James Schiller 22. Brad Schneider
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird 14. Moses Mbye 15. Jack de Belin 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr 18. Michael Molo 19. Max Feagai 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Viliami Fifita
Raiders -6.5, Dragons +6.5
The Match
What a difference a week in the NRL can make? The struggling Raiders knock off the undefeated Broncos and the Dragons get nailed by the Titans at the death. It certainly makes Canberra look a lot stronger than previously.
The addition of Wighton helps them even more. There has been so much press about his potential move to another club and he’ll be keen to make an impact. Two other guns in Cotric and Tapine also return. The Dragons lose Molo and Ravalawa who are replaced by Musgrove and Moga. Not shocking losses but definitely a downgrade.
The Tip
The Raiders can disappoint when you least expect them to but I really like them here. It looks a great chance to build on last round’s upset win in front of a big Sunday arvo crowd. The Dragons have been decent this year but they’re only a breath away from capitulation with their unstable coaching situation.
The Bet
I like Raiders -6.5. I’ll take over 41.5 too as I can see some points, mostly from Canberra.
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson 14. J’maine Hopgood 15. Brendan Hands 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Jack Murchie 22. Waqa Blake
Bulldogs team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Braidon Burns 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Jayden Okunbor 16. Corey Waddell 17. Ryan Sutton 19. Karl Oloapu 20. Jackson Topine 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Declan Casey 23. Andrew Davey
Eels -7.5, Bulldogs +7.5
The Match
Two teams that were involved in the traditional Easter afternoon clashes face off here in the late Sunday game. The Eels scraped home against the Tigers whilst the Doggies got belted by Souths. You’d have to say neither side was that impressive last week and will be looking for a stronger performance in Round 7.
A few notable changes amongst both teams. Paulo returns for Parra which is a huge plus whilst Kikau equally adds to the Dogs. Pengai Jnr also makes his 2023 debut for Canterbury. I’ve always thought he was a bit of an over-hyped player but he will add to their pack. Faitala-Mariner is also back, they certainly look a lot better in the forwards this week. A massive loss though is Addo-Carr who is simply irreplaceable.
The Tip
These two sides don’t like each other much and this should be an awesome way to finish the round. I see this as being a close match but I think the Eels are still a better team and like them to get the win. I rate Junior Paulo highly as a player and I think he adds a massive amount to an Eels pack which now also includes Lane.
The Bet
I’m going to gamble on it being close but Parra to eventually prevail. Eels 1-12.
Another round in the can. It always takes an age to go through all these games but I’m always glad to do it. It forces me to look at everything closely and usually helps my tipping and punting. Hopefully it does with yours too.
Thursday night hasn’t been a great night for Souths lately, here’s hoping for a comfortable win. Or just a win… Go Souths! Watch out for Uncool Dad’s Round 7 Recap after the weekend’s footy concludes.
Match info from NRL.com
Team info from foxsports.com.au
Betting info from Sportsbet.com.au
Uncool Dad’s Bunnies TV Round 7 Preview.
By Greg Allan for Bunnies TV.
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