NRL
ESPN staff 3y

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

NRL, Rugby League

It's the NRL Magic Round with all eight games being played at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, so you can forget about home ground advantage this week. Round 10 has thrown up a list of games which look pretty clear-cut and that has to be a concern.

Good luck with your tips.

Jump ahead to a particular game.
Tigers vs. Knights
Sea Eagles vs. Broncos
Bulldogs vs. Raiders
Sharks vs. Rabbitohs
Roosters vs. Cowboys
Warriors vs. Eels
Storm vs. Dragons
Titans vs. Panthers


Friday, May 14

Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights, Suncorp Stadium, 6:00pm (AEST)

 Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Joey Leilua 5. Tommy Talau 6. Moses Mbye 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou  9. Jacob Liddle 10. Alex Twal 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue. Bench: 14. Jock Madden 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Thomas Mikaele. Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Stefano Utoikamanu 21. Tom Amone

- Start your NRL Tipping Competition today with footytips.com.au

 Knights: 1. Tex Hoy 2. Starford To'a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Brayden Musgrove 6. Kurt Mann 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mitchell Barnett Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Brodie Jones Reserves: 18. Hymel Hunt 19. Josh King 20. Tex Hoy 21. Simi Sasagi

Verdict: The Tigers scored plenty of tries last week, but couldn't stop enough being scored by the Titans up the other end. The Knights trailed 16-0 at the break before fighting back in the second half to defeat the dysfunctional Raiders, but they have since lost Kalyn Ponga for two weeks through injury. This is a tough game to pick as neither side is going well enough to instill anyone with too much confidence. The Tigers look to be a bit too ordinary in defence to win this one.  

Tip: Knights by 10

TAB odds: Tigers $2.45 (+4.5 $1.90) Knights $1.53 (-4.5 $1.90)

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Brisbane Broncos, Suncorp Stadium, 8:05pm (AEST)

 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. Moses Suli 16. Sean Keppie 17. Toafofoa Sipley Reserves: 18. Zac Saddler 19. Tevita Funa 20. Christian Tuipulotu 21. Ben Trbojevic

 Broncos: 1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Xavier Coates 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Jesse Arthars 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. Thomas Flegler Bench: 14. Danny Levi 15. John Asiata 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Rhys Kennedy Reserves: 18. Keenan Palasia 19. David Mead 20. Tesi Niu 21. Brendan Piakura

Verdict: How do the Broncos manage to have an away game for Magic Round? Just magic, I guess. The Sea Eagles have quietly slipped up to be on the verge of a Top 8 spot, while an improved Broncos still managed to lose to the lowly Cowboys last week. If Tom Trbojevic can keep his hot streak going, the Broncos could be in for an embarrassing night.

Tip: Sea Eagles by 14

TAB odds: Sea Eagles $1.38 (-8.5 $1.95) Broncos $3 (+8.5 $1.85)


Saturday, May 15

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders, Suncorp Stadium, 3:00pm (AEST)

  Bulldogs: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Cotric 3. Will Hopoate 4. Nick Meaney 5. Tuipulotu Katoa 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Jake Averillo 8. Dylan Napa 9. Sione Katoa 10. Luke Thompson 11. Adam Elliott 12. Chris Smith 13. Renouf Atoni Bench: 14. Bradley Deitz 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Matt Doorey Reserves: 19. Kyle Flanagan 20. Joe Stimson 21. Aaron Schoupp 23. Ofahiki Ogden

 Raiders: 1. Caleb Aekins 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Curtis Scott 5. Semi Valemi 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Emre Guler 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Hudson Young Bench: 14. Josh Hodgson 15. Dunamis Lui 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Ryan James Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Matthew Timoko 20. Siliva Havili 21. Harry Rushton

Verdict: This is a battle between a team anchored to the bottom of the ladder and a team rushing to meet them. The Raiders have fallen in a deep dark hole lately with off field issues apparently tearing the team apart from within. The Bulldogs have been indescribably ordinary this year under new coach Trent Barrett. If you were going to Suncorp for Saturday's triple header, you could wait this one out at Caxton Street and not miss much really.

Tip: Raiders by 18

TAB odds: Bulldogs $5.50 (+15.5 $1.95) Raiders $1.14 (-15.5 $1.85)


Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs, Suncorp Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)

 Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Josh Dugan 4. Will Chambers 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. Matt Moylan 15. Teig Wilton 16. Jack Williams 17. Andrew Fifita Reserves: 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Billy Magoulias 20. Franklin Pele 21. Jenson Taumoepeau

  Rabbitohs: 1. Cody Walker 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Braidon Burns 5. Taane Milne 6. Benji Marshall 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Junior Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Liam Knight. Bench: 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Hame Sele 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Jai Arrow  Reserves: 18. Troy Dargan 19. Patrick Mago 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Steven Marsters

Verdict: The Rabbitohs showed last week against the Storm how much they struggle without half Adam Reynolds (good luck next year Bunnies). The Sharks were absolutely outclassed by the Panthers. Neither team bothered the scorers last week, so it will be interesting to see which of them bounces back best from the humiliation. I think the Rabbitohs have a greater desire to give their all for the club at the moment.

Tip: Rabbitohs by 8

TAB odds: Sharks $2.90 (+7.5 $1.90) Rabbitohs $1.40 (-7.5  $1.90)


Sydney Roosters vs. North Queensland Cowboys , Suncorp Stadium, 7:45pm (AEST)

 Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Lachlan Lam 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Ben Marschke 10. Isaac Liu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley Bench: 14. Adam Keighran 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho Reserves: 18. Naufahu Whyte 19. Tukupa Hau Tapuha 20. Egan Butcher 21. Joseph Suaalii

 Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Shane Wright 12. Mitchell Dunn 13. Jason Taumalolo Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Lachlan Burr 16. Francis Molo 17. Ben Condon Reseres: 18. Corey Jensen 19. Daejarn Asi 20. Tom Gilbert 21. Kane Bradley

Verdict: The battered Roosters couldn't quite beat the Eels last week, mainly because they didn't have much of the ball. The Cowboys showed some good traits in beating teh Brncos by a single point. Despite their injury concersns, teh Roosters have been a class above teams like the Cowboys this year and should get the pints in this one..

Tip: Roosters by 16

TAB odds: Roosters $1.25 (-11.5 $1.90) Cowboys $3.80 (+11.5 $1.90)


 

Sunday, May 16

New Zealand Warriors vs. Parramatta Eels, Suncorp Stadium, 1:50pm (AEST)

  Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Edward Kosi 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 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. Reece Walsh Reserves: 18. Bayley Sironen 20. Jack Murchie 21. Eliesa Katoa 22. Euan Aitken

  Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Tom Opacic 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown Bench: 14. Oregon Kaufusi 15. Shaun Lane 16. Ray Stone 17. Bryce Cartwright Reserves: 18. Joey Lussick 19. Keegan Hipgrave 20. Haze Dunster 21. Jordan Rankin

Verdict: The Warriors weren't good enough last week against the Sea Eagles, while the Eels battered their way through the Roosters' opposition. The Eels lost two key players to suspension following the win over the Rosters, but should still have enough talent to win this one in what could be a very muggy afternoon kick-off.

  

Tip: Eels by 18

TAB odds: Warriors $2.90 (+7.5 $1.90) Eels $1.40 (-7.5 $1.90)


Melbourne Storm vs. St George Illawarra Dragons, Suncorp Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)

  Storm: 19. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 1. Nicholas Hynes  7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 14. Tyson Smoothy 10. Christian Welch 9. Kenneath Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 13. Dale Finucane Bench: 6. Ryley Jacks 12. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona Reserves:  21. Dean Ieremia

 Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Max Feagai 3. Jack Bird 4. Tyrell Fuimaono 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Kerr 12. Tariq Sims 13. Josh Mcguire Bench: 14. Poasa Faamausili 15. Billy Burns 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Kaide Ellis Reserves: 18. Jackson Ford 19. Junior Amone 20. Cody Ramsey 21. Adam Clune

Verdict: The Storm were absolutely ruthless last week in dismantling the Rabbitohs, while the Dragons were ordinary even though they defeated the hapless Bulldogs. These two teams have a history of animosity, but the Dragons will have to be really fired up and switched on for an enormous effort or they could be on the end of a complete flogging.

Tip: Storm by 36

TAB odds: Storm $1.13 (-16.5 $1.95) Dragons $5.75 (+16.5 $1.85)


Gold Coast Titans vs. Penrith Panthers, Suncorp Stadium, 5:25pm (AEST)

 Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Beau Fermor 5. Phillip Sami 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tyrone Peachey Bench:  14. Moeaki Fotuaika 15. Herman Ese'ese 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Esan Marsters Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Erin Clark 20. Sam Stone 21. Jayden Campbell

 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. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. J'maine Hopgood Reserves: 18. Paul Momirovski 19. Spencer Leniu 20. Robert Jennings 21. Mitch Kenny

Verdict: The Titans found some attacking flair last week to beat the Tigers, but their defence still struggled at times. The Panthers continued their winning run, smashing the Sharks. The Titans won't find the Panthers' defence as accommodating as the Tigers and if they don't sort out their own tackling issues, they could be on the wrong end of another domination Panthers performance.   

Tip: Panthers by 20

TAB odds: Titans $7 (+19.5 $1.95) Panthers $1.09 (-19.5 $1.85)

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