Canterbury Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors (Sun 2pm AEST, ANZ)
Last Five: Canterbury 3 wins, New Zealand Warriors 2 wins
Sunday’s game in Sydney could finally confirm without doubt the New Zealand Warriors place in this years finals series, an achievement seven years in the making.ย After their win in Wollongong, they backed it up with victory over the Knights at home.ย This side has the potential to shake up September if they can keep their spine fit.
Canterbury went down to Manly at Lottoland last week and could be staring down the barrel of the wooden spoon if they can’t convert one of their final three games into two competition points.ย Lachlan Lewis comes back into the side this week after withdrawing last week due to personal issues.ย Hard to see anything but a Warriors victory here.
PREDICTION: Warriors 30 Bulldogs 12
https://nothingbutleague.com/2017/06/24/four-pointers-new-zealand-warriors-21-canterbury-bulldogs-14/
Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters (Sun 4:10pm, GIO)
Last Five: Sydney Roosters 3 wins, Canberra 2 wins
Canberra’s had the wind taken out of their sails since that four point loss against Cronulla at Southern Cross Group on July 20.ย Their failure to close out the game in Penrith, followed by a home loss to the Tigers has seen them slide to tenth and well out of contention.ย With all the coaching stories surrounding Wayne Bennett and Trent Barrett, should Ricky Stuart’s future in the Nation’s Capital also be questioned?ย Nick Cotric was going well at the back, but has been switched to the wing for Brad Abbey.
At the top of the table and with five straight, it’s hard to see the Roosters getting cooked here.ย It’s a good nine-day layoff from their table topping win over South Sydney, combined with the class of Teddy, Latrell, Cooper Cronk and a tough forward pack.ย Roosters could make the same light work of Canberra as they did at Lottoland a few weeks back.
PREDICTION: Roosters 48 Raiders 18
https://nothingbutleague.com/2017/05/28/four-pointers-canberra-raiders-24-sydney-roosters-16/