NRL Predictions

NRL Round 2 Predictions by NRLnews.com

FRIDAY
Dragons v Newcastle, at OKI Jubilee Oval 7.30pm
Home ground is enough to tip this one the Dragons way. Both teams won in close games last week, and improvement is needed. I think the defensive irregularities will hurt the Knights, prediction: Dragons by 8


Penrith v Bulldogs, at CUA Stadium 7.30pm
It gets harder for the Panthers in Rnd 2, while the Dogs lost last week - their commitment and attack was scintillating against the Knights. The Dogs forwards will be too strong here. Dogs by 12

SATURDAY
WESTS TIGERS v MANLY, at Leichhardt Oval (5.30pm AEDT)
This will be a great match to watch, both teams played well in Round 1 and a full house at Old Leichhardt. Careful not to get splinters in your bottom from the old seats, I think the Tigers will be up for this game after missing the win last week. Tigers in a close one.

CANBERRA v MELBOURNE, at Canberra Stadium (7.30pm AEDT).
Canberra will need divine intervention here, watch for weather conditions here - if rain appears, Canberra may upset the Storm. However, Storm should win comfortably. Storm by 12+

NORTH QUEENSLAND v SYDNEY ROOSTERS, at Dairy Farmers Stadium (8.30pm AEDT)
The Roosters must forget the 1 man marker ploy here, otherwise Cowboys will put a cricket score on them. Cowboys scrumbase combo will get even better, which spells trouble for the Roosters. The Chooks need more experience at 6 and 7. Cowboys by 10

SUNDAY
NEW ZEALAND v BRISBANE at Mt Smart Stadium (2.00pm AEDT)
Another strong match-up here, Brisbane will miss Lockyer badly in this one. In what should be a huge forward match up, NRLnews.com predicts the Warriors to string 2 wins together. Their giant backline will have too much size for the Broncos. Warriors by 8

SOUTH SYDNEY v PARRAMATTA, at Telstra Stadium (3.00pm AEDT).
Things will get tougher for the out of sorts Eels. They face a confident Souths team, boosted by their Rooster rolling. Watch for Souths to play an expansive game here and outshine the poor defending Eels. Eels conceded the most points in Rnd 1 and will leak again. Souths by 14

MONDAY
GOLD COAST v SHARKS, at Carrara Stadium (7.00pm AEDT)
In the Monday night desert match, the travel and occasion might get the better of the young Sharks. The Titans will be better for the run last week, and while they will miss Walker - I think they will notch their first win of 2007. Titans by 4