NSW CUP PREVIEWS - ROUND 12
26/05/2011 3:32:17 PM
Leichhardt Oval, Saturday, May 28
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Shane Charman
Broadcast: NSWRL Match of the Round to be aired on Fox Sports 2 HD and Fox Sports 2, Wednesday, June 1, 4.30pm
Broadcast: Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM (Link available via www.nswrl.com.au’s Weekend Game-Cast)
Summary: The Tigers returned empty handed from their trip across the Tasman last weekend which saw them thoroughly defeated by a rampant Auckland Vulcans outfit who now sit top-of-the-table. The Wolves had a well earned bye where they were able to nurse a few niggling injuries. Dayne Weston, Sandor Earl and Yileen Gordon have all been named on an extended Penrith Panthers bench for their clash against South Sydney on Monday night so you would assume these players may drop off and head to Leichhardt Oval should Matt Elliot not require their services. For the Tigers, crafty hooker Chris Corby returns to the fray after an extended period out and will no doubt add some much needed impetus into the Tigers ruck play. Corby was on the verge of first grade selection last year when Robbie Farah was unavailable and Paul Fletcher will be happy with his return at such a crucial time of the season.
Game Breaker: Daine Laurie - Laurie returns from a stint in France in a bid to re-establish his NRL career. Can be one of the most devastating forwards going around on his day and a forward showing is to be expected here.
Prediction: The Wolves in a close one.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Vs Cronulla Sharks
The Crest Stadium, Saturday, May 28
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Henry Perenara
Broadcast: www.nswrl.com.au’s Weekend Game-Cast, proudly brought to you by Teamm8
Summary: This was scheduled to be a first versus second match up before both teams suffered shock losses last weekend at the hands of Newtown and Manly. The Dogs looked pedestrian against an under strength Jets side and Coach Justin Holbrook better have his chargers back for this game because the Sharks can be a dangerous outfit. Part of a three match program including Bundaberg Red Cup and NYC, this game shapes up as an absolute cracker. The last time they played the Dogs snuck home by two points at Toyota Stadium so expect another close one here. Josh Reynolds returns from his NRL debut with the confidence he can compete at the highest level. The Dogs will be further boosted by the return of classy outside back Jonathan Wright from injury. The Sharks are in the midst of an injury crisis at present but still field a quality team. All in all, Saturday at The Crest will be a smorgasbord of Rugby League for any Bulldogs fan.
Game Breaker: Gary Warburton - Warburton has quickly established himself as one of the biggest hitters in the NSW Cup. He has also been floating around the fringes causing havoc for opposition defences. A return to the NRL won’t be far away.
Prediction: The Dogs don’t lose two in a row often (or ever) so expect that trend to continue.
Manly Sea Eagles Vs Western Suburbs Magpies
Brookvale Oval, Saturday, May 28
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Gavin Morris
Summary: Both sides are coming off hard-fought wins against good opposition here in the second ‘fibros V silvertails’ clash of 2011. Last weekend Manly shocked the then second placed Cronulla 20-10 at Brookvale and Wests grinded out a 16-4 victory over Wentworthville at Campbelltown Stadium. Andrew Everingham continues to be a pillar of strength for the Magpies in both attack and defense. The lanky centre is their go to man on the field and was superb last weekend. For Manly, Michael Oldfield continues to impress and wouldn’t be far off gaining NSW Cup Representative honours ahead of State of Origin Game Three. Manly have also been strengthened with the inclusion of junior representative centre Josh Portlock who makes his return from injury. Portlock partners Dean Whare in a centre pairing which ranks as one of the best in the competition.
Game Breaker: Ben Shorter - Shorter continues to find the line for the Sea Eagles and his try-scoring form isn’t going unnoticed by NRL coach Des Hasler.
Prediction: Manly to win in a free flowing affair.
Newtown Jets Vs North Sydney Bears
Henson Park, Saturday, May 28
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Justin Davis
Broadcast: Triple H 100.1FM (Link available via www.nswrl.com.au’s Weekend Game-Cast)
Summary: The second installment of the Frank Hyde Shield sees the Bears having to turn it around from their 34-24 loss to the Jets in Round 4. Both sides are coming off impressive wins in Round 11 with the Jets handing the Bulldogs their second loss of the season and the Bears demolished the Central Coast Centurions 42-10 at Harker Oval. The Bears will be without Deon Apps for the second week in a row as Apps will hopefully make his first grade debut for the Bunnies against Penrith on Monday night. Apps has been the Bears best in recent years and will not look out of place in the NRL. Mark Kheirallah returns for the Jets on the wing and Cabramatta Bundaberg Red Cup star James Trotter retains his bench position after making a try-scoring debut last week.
Game Breaker: George Burgess – Burgess is a monster of a human being and he was at his dominant best against the Centurions last weekend. His match up with another huge human in Francis Tuigamala will shake the very foundations of North Sydney Oval.
Prediction: The Jets will be confident after their good win over the Dogs but I think Norths have a lot of upside and I am tipping the upset here.
Wentworthville Magpies Vs Auckland Vulcans
Ringrose Park, Saturday, May 28
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Matt Noyen
Summary: The Wentworthville Magpies will have their hands full this Saturday afternoon when the top of the table Vulcans head to Ringrose Park. Auckland was packing too many guns for the Tigers last weekend while Wenty were never really in it against Wests. Wenty have gained the services of Tom Humble and Karl Filiga again recently and it would not completely surprise to see either Reni Maitua or Daniel Mortimer pulling on the black and white this week. The Vulcans field one of the fastest and most explosive backlines in the competition which has yielded on average 36 points a game.
Game Breaker: Sione Lousi – Lousi has missed plenty of football thus far in 2011 but I’m sure he is ready to remind some people of just how talented he is. A rangy backrower who hits hard, runs hard and has the ability to off load in traffic. Wenty will need to be on high alert for the full eighty minutes.
Prediction: Not quite sure where the Magpies are at just at present, and the Vulcans should have too many big guns for them.
Central Coast Centurions have the BYE
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