NRL Round 8 Line-ups, verdicts, tips, odds, everything you need to know for the weekend


ESPN staff	3y
NRL Round 8 Line-ups, verdicts, tips, odds, everything you need to know for the weekend
NRL, Rugby League





This week's NRL action will answer some big questions when it comes to the finals' credentials of several teams. We start the round with the struggling Raiders keen to prove they are still in the running when they host the Rabbitohs. The Panthers will look to sort out the Tom Trbojevic led Sea Eagles recovery in Bathurst on Saturday, while the Knights hope to prove they are not done when they face the Roosters. On Sunday the Warriors, Cowboys, Dragons and Tigers look to just about end each other's hopes. Good luck with your tips. Jump ahead to a particular game. Raiders vs. Rabbitohs Storm vs. Sharks Broncos vs. Titans Panthers vs. Sea Eagles Bulldogs vs. Eels Knights vs. Roosters Warriors vs. Cowboys Dragons vs. Tigers Thursday, April 29 Canberra Raiders vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs, GIO Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST) Raiders: 1. Caleb Aekins 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Curtis Scott 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Ryan James 9. Tom Starling 10. Emre Guler 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton Bench: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Joseph Tapine 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Hudson Young Reserves: 18. Matthew Timoko 19. Iosia Soliola 20. Matt Frawley 21. Dunamis Lui - Start your NRL Tipping Competition today with footytips.com.au Rabbitohs: 1. Cody Walker 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Benji Marshall 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Cameron Murray Bench: 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Liam Knight 16. Jacob Host 17. Jai Arrow Reserves: 18. Steven Marsters 19. Hame Sele 20. Patrick Mago 21. Dean Hawkins Verdict: The Raiders have had a horrible run lately, succumbing to the Cowboys last week. The Rabbitohs were lucky to beat the Titans thanks to a mountain of possession and some Benji Marshall brilliance. The Raiders are more than due for a bounce back performance, their entire season is looking very shaky at the moment. I don't think it will be this week against the Bunnies. Tip: Rabbitohs by 6 TAB odds: Raiders $2.35 (+3.5 $1.95 ) Rabbitohs $1.58 (-3.5 $1.85) Friday, April 30 Melbourne Storm vs. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks, AAMI Park, 6:00pm (AEST) Storm: 1. Nicholas Hynes 2. Reimis Smith 3. Tom Eisenhuth 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Tui Kamikamica Bench: 14. Harry Grant 15. Dale Finucane 16. Chris Lewis 17. Ryley Jacks Reserves: 18. Aaron Pene 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Trent Loiero 21. Isaac Lumelume Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Will Chambers 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Connor Tracey 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf Bench: 14. Teig Wilton 15. Braydon Trindall 16. Jack Williams 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18. Matt Moylan 19. Billy Magoulias 20. Franklin Pele 21. Josh Dugan Verdict: The Storm were too good for the Warriors on Anzac Day, running away to a convincing victory, while the Shark became the first team this year to lose to the Bulldogs. The turmoil at the Sharks looks like it could be surfacing on the field and they are in danger of being lapped by a merciless Storm side. Tip: Storm by 24 TAB odds: Storm $1.09 (-17.5 $1.85) Sharks $7 (+17.5 $1.95) Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans, Suncorp Stadium, 7:55pm (AEST) Broncos: 1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Xavier Coates 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Corey Oates 6. Anthony Milford 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Jordan Riki 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. Danny Levi 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Rhys Kennedy Reserves: 18. Tesi Niu 19. John Asiata 20. David Mead 21. Brodie Croft Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Corey Thompson 6. Ashley Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tyrone Peachey Bench: 14. Erin Clark 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Herman Ese'ese 17. Sam McIntyre Reserves: 18. Beau Fermor 19. Tanah Boyd 20. Jai Whitbread 21. Darius Farmer Verdict: The Broncos continue to struggle, last week they were blown away by the Eels after a solid start. The Titans were unlucky to lose to the Rabbitohs. Neither of these teams likes losing this derby, and the Titans are already one up after taking the points 28-16 in Round 2 of this season. Broncos coach Kevin Walters will be laying down the law again before this one, but it might not help. Tip: Titans by 8 TAB odds: Broncos $3.80 (+12.5 $1.85) Titans $1.25 (-12.5 $1.95) Saturday, May 1 Penrith Panthers vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Carrington Park, Bathurst, 3:00pm (AEST) Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Liam Martin Reserves: 18. Scott Sorensen 19. Mitch Kenny 20. Robert Jennings 21. Brent Naden Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Cade Cust 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Sean Keppie 17. Toafofoa Sipley Reserves: 18. Zac Saddler 19. Tevita Funa 20. Christian Tuipulotu 21. Ben Trbojevic Verdict: The Panthers continued their unbeaten run last week, despite being tested early by the Knights. The Sea Eagles continued their Tom Trbojevic-led revival, smashing the Tigers on Anzac Day. When they met in Round 4, the Panthers smashed the Sea Eagles 46-6 at Brookvale. This clash in Bathurst should be a lot closer, with the Sea Eagles playing with much more confidence. Tip: Panthers by 12 TAB odds: Panthers $1.17 (-13.5 $1.85) Sea Eagles $4.80 (+13.5 $1.95) Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Parramatta Eels, ANZ Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST) Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Nick Cotric 3. Will Hopoate 4. Corey Allan 5. Tui Katoa 6. Jake Averillo 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Dylan Napa 9. Sione Katoa 10. Luke Thompson 11. Adam Elliott 12. Chris Smith 13. Corey Waddell Bench: 14. Bradley Deitz 15. Renouf Atoni 16. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Matt Doorey Reserves: 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Joe Stimson 21. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 23. Ofahiki Ogden Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Tom Opacic 4. Marata Niukore 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Nathan Brown Bench: 14. Oregon Kaufusi 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Haze Dunster 17. Bryce Cartwright Reserves: 18. Joey Lussick 19. Keegan Hipgrave 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Jordan Rankin Verdict: The Bulldogs finally broke their 2021 season duck last week with a gutsy victory over the Sharks. The Eels were brutal in their dismissal of the Broncos. This is a traditionally fierce contest, and there is nothing the Bulldogs players and fans would like more than to notch back-to-back victories at the expense of the Eels. Parramatta will have too much class in this one. Tip: Eels by 22 TAB odds: Bulldogs $7 (+19.5 $1.90) Eels $1.09 (-19.5 $1.90) Newcastle Knights vs. Sydney Roosters, McDonald Jones Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST) Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Starford To'a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Brayden Musgrove 6. Kurt Mann 7. Blake Green 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson Bench: 14. Sauaso Sue 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones Reserves: 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Phoenix Crossland 20. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 21. Tex Hoy Roosters: 4. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 5. Brett Morris 19. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Sam Walker 8. Isaac Liu 9. Sam Verrills 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley Bench: 14. Benjamin Marsce 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho Reserves: 18. Fletcher Baker 20. Egan Butcher 21. Joseph Suaalii Verdict: The Knights started strongly last week against the Panthers before fading. The Roosters were ruthless in their Anzac Day clash with the Dragons. The Knights should lift for this home game, but they won't be able to stop a Roosters victory. Tip: Roosters by 18 TAB odds: Knights $2.75 (+6.5 $1.80) Roosters $1.44 (-6.5 $2) Sunday, May 2 New Zealand Warriors vs. North Queensland Cowboys, Central Coast Stadium, 2:00pm (AEST) Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu'a 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Reece Walsh 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Wayde Egan 10. Kane Evans 11. Josh Curran 12. Ben Murdoch-Masila 13. Tohu Harris Bench: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Bayley Sironen Reserves: 18. Jack Murchie 20. Sean O'Sullivan 21. Tom Ale 22. Taniela Otukolo Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Ben Hampton 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Shane Wright 12. Ben Condon 13. Jason Taumalolo Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Lachlan Burr 16. Francis Molo 17. Corey Jensen Reserves: 18. Peter Hola 19. Javid Bowen 20. Tom Gilbert 21. Jake Clifford Verdict: The Warriors were soundly beaten by the Storm last week, while the Cowboys won their third straight game, upsetting the Raiders. You can never be sure what the Warriors are going to serve up and they would have been the pick to win this one a couple of weeks ago, but with the Cowboys finding form, it's going to be a battle to come up with a winner. Tip: Cowboys by 6 TAB odds: Warriors $1.62 (-3.5 $1.90) Cowboys $2.30 (+3.5 $1.90) St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Wests Tigers, WIN Stadium, 4:05pm (AEDT) Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Cody Ramsey 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Max Feagai 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Kerr 12. Tariq Sims 13. Tyrell Fuimaono Bench: 14. Adam Clune 15. Josh Mcguire 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Billy Burns Reserves: 18. Kaide Ellis 19. Jackson Ford 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Junior Amone Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joey Leilua 4. James Roberts 5. Tommy Talau 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Alex Twal 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue Bench: 14. Moses Mbye 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Thomas Mikaele Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Zane Musgrove 20. Tom Amone 21. Jacob Liddle Verdict: The Dragons would have been very disappointed with their effort last week on the big stage against the Roosters. The Tigers are in complete free-fall after being thumped by the Sea Eagles, with calls for yet another coach sacking echoing around Concord. Both teams need to shake off last week and get their focus back, in Wollongong the Dragons should prevail. Tip: Dragons by 16 TAB odds: Dragons $1.28 (-10.5 $1.95) Tigers $3.60 (+10.5 $1.85)