Round 14 of the 2020 NRL kicks off with a clash worthy of a grand final as the Roosters take on the Storm. The weekend throws up plenty of questions with the Eels taking on the Dragons, the Sharks facing on the rejuvenated Titans and the Knights going into battle against the Sea Eagles.
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Jump ahead to a particular game.
Roosters vs. Storm
Warriors vs. Panthers
Eels vs. Dragons
Sharks vs. Titans
Cowboys vs. Rabbitohs
Raiders vs. Broncos
Knights vs. Sea Eagles
Tigers vs. Bulldogs
Thursday, August 13
Sydney Roosters vs. Melbourne Storm, Sydney Cricket Ground, 7:50pm (AEST)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Ryan Hall 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Luke Keary 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu
Reserves: 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Nat Butcher 17. Daniel Fifita 18. Egan Butcher 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Max Bailey 21. Kyle Flanagan
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Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Tom Eisenhuth 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane
Reserves: 14. Nicholas Hynes 15. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 16. Albert Vete 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Sandor Earl 19. Chris Lewis 20. Cooper Johns 21. Brenko Lee
Verdict: The Roosters have been a bit flat of late, but did enough to beat the Dragons last week. The Storm were missing some big-name players last week, but still managed to demolish the Bulldogs. The Roosters will be looking to play some of their best football here or they could slip closer to losing their Top 4 position.
Score: Roosters 4 - 26 Storm
Friday, August 14
New Zealand Warriors vs. Penrith Panthers, Central Coast Stadium, 6:00pm (AEST)
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Patrick Herbert 3. Adam Pompey 4. Peta Hiku 5. George Jennings 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Karl Lawton 10. Lachlan Burr 11. Eliesa Katoa 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jazz Tevaga
Reserves: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Adam Blair 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Isaiah Papali'i 18. Jack Murchie 20. Gerard Beale 21. Adam Keighran 22. Josh Curran
Panthers: 1. Caleb Aekins 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone May 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brent Naden 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Reserves: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Moses Leota 17. Zane Tetevano 18. Mitch Kenny 19. Dylan Edwards 20. Matt Burton 21. Billy Burns
Verdict: The Warriors were impressive last week in upsetting the Sea Eagles in the wet, while the Panthers continued their irresistible form against the Raiders. It would be nice to see the Warriors continue their improved run, but they are really up against it this week facing a team which is oozing confidence right across the park.
Score: Warriors 12 - 18 Panthers
Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Bankwest Stadium, 7:55pm (AEST)
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown
Reserves: 14. Ray Stone 15. Marata Niukore 16. Kane Evans 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Andrew Davey 19. Haze Dunster 20. Stefano Utoikamanu 21. Brad Takairangi
Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Euan Aitken 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Adam Clune 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Ben Hunt 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Cameron McInnes
Reserves: 14. Tristan Sailor 15. Kaide Ellis 16. Korbin Sims 17. Jacob Host 18. Brayden Wiliame 19. Eddie Blacker 20. Jason Saab 21. Jayden Sullivan
Verdict: The Eels did just enough to beat the Sharks last week, despite scoring one less try. The Dragons were competitive against the Roosters, but just couldn't get the job done. This could be an interesting challenge for the Eels who have been off their game of late, even to the point of struggling against the Bulldogs. They'll need to smarten up or risk an upset defeat here.
Score: Eels 12 - 14 Dragons
Saturday, August 15
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs. Gold Coast Titans, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 3:00pm (AEST)
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Siosifa Talakai 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf
Reserves: 14. Connor Tracey 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Jack Williams 17. Royce Hunt 18. Teig Wilton 19. Briton Nikora 20. Braydon Trindall 21. Bryson Goodwin
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Dale Copley 5. Phillip Sami 6. Ashley Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Nathan Peats 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Kevin Proctor (c) 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow
Reserves: 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Tyrone Peachey 16. Jarrod Wallace 17. Sam Lisone 18. Corey Thompson 19. Jai Whitbread 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Beau Fermor
Verdict: The Sharks were unlucky to lose to the Eels last week despite scoring three tries to two. The Titans showed some very good signs in thumping the Cowboys. This could be a tough test for the Sharks as they look to shore up their place in the finals. Are the Titans finally finding their feet under their new coach?
Score: Sharks 30-18 Titans
North Queensland Cowboys vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Tom Opacic 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 6. Ben Hampton 7. Michael Morgan 8. Josh Mcguire 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Mitchell Dunn 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo
Reserves: 14. Jake Granville 15. John Asiata 16. Emry Pere 17. Francis Molo 18. Shane Wright 19. Jake Clifford 20. Corey Jensen 22. Esan Marsters
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Campbell Graham 4. Dane Gagai 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jaydn Su'A 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Cameron Murray
Reserves: 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Liam Knight 16. Patrick Mago 17. Keaon Koloamatangi 18. Jack Johns 19. Corey Allan 20. Troy Dargan 21. Kurt Dillon
Verdict: The Cowboys were thumped last weekend by the Titans, with returning half Michael Morgan really struggling. The Rabbitohs took care of the Broncos in convincing style. The Cowboys won't want to be embarrassed at home, but the Rabbitohs should have too much class to lose this one.
Score: Cowboys 30 - 31 Rabbitohs
Canberra Raiders vs. Brisbane Broncos, GIO Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Curtis Scott 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Siliva Havili 10. Dunamis Lui 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Hudson Young
Reserves: 14. Tom Starling 15. Joseph Tapine 16. Ryan Sutton 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Sam Williams 19. Michael Oldfield 20. Kai O'Donnell 21. Matt Frawley
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Richard Kennar 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Brodie Croft 7. Tom Dearden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Ben Te'o 13. Patrick Carrigan
Reserves: 14. Cory Paix 15. Jordan Riki 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Issac Luke 19. Ethan Bullemor 20. Rhys Kennedy 21. Jesse Arthars
Verdict: The Raiders were well beaten by the Panthers last week, but coach Ricky Stuart is still happy wit the effort they are putting in despite a long list of injuries. The Broncos started well enough against the Rabbitohs last week beforr falling away. With coach Anthony Seibold out of the picture for two weeks, could we see the Broncos finally play to their true potential?
TAB odds: Raiders $1.11 (-16.5 $1.90) Broncos $6.50 (+16.5 $1.90)
Sunday, August 16
Newcastle Knights vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, McDonald Jones Stadium, 2:00pm (AEST)
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Starford To'a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Blake Green 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Kurt Mann 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitchell Barnett
Reserves: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Herman Ese'ese 17. Josh King 18. Tex Hoy 19. Brodie Jones 20. Chris Randall 21. Mason Lino
Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliot 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cade Cust 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic
Reserves: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Sean Keppie 17. Haumole Olakau'atu 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Tevita Funa 20. Abbas Miski 21. Jack Gosiewski
Verdict: The Knights smashed the Tigers last week with Blake Green slotting comfortably into the halves and adding some real value. The Sea Eagles were upset in sloppy Lottoland conditions by the Warriors. Both of these teams have been very inconsistent this year, so an upset isn't off the cards. The Knights should be too strong at home.
Tip: Knights 26 - 24 Sea Eagles
Wests Tigers vs. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Bankwest Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Tigers: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joseph Leilua 4. Moses Mbye 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Benji Marshall 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Russell Packer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Luke Garner 13. Matt Eisenhuth
Reserves: 14. Thomas Mikaele 15. Josh Reynolds 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Chris Lawrence 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Shawn Blore 20. Alex Seyfarth 21. Elijah Taylor
Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tim Lafai 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jack Cogger 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Sione Katoa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Luke Thompson
Reserves: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Aiden Tolman 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Reimis Smith 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Renouf To'omaga 21. Chris Smith 22. Matt Doorey
Verdict: The Tigers were humiliated last week by the Knights while the Bulldogs were knocked back down to earth by the Storm. Any talk of improvement for the Bulldogs was thrown out the window against the class of Melbourne. This game could go either way, but it is nearly impossible to pick the Bulldogs with any confidence.
Tip: Tigers 29 - 28 Bulldogs