PREVIEW OF NRL ROUND 16 MATCHES (all times AEST):
THURSDAY, JULY 4
St George Illawarra v Melbourne Storm at WIN Stadium, 7:50pm
Head to head: Storm 25, Dragons 10, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 17, 2019 – Storm 52 bt Dragons 30 at Aami Park
The two most depleted clubs due to State of Origin duties meet as the next generation of stars get a chance to leave their mark on the NRL. Representative honours have claimed six Melbourne players and five St George stars. The four halves have just 43 NRL games’ experience between them and all eyes will be on Melbourne debutant Billy Walters – the son of Maroons coach Kevin Walters. Storm coach Craig Bellamy looks set for his 300th win as St George have a measly 27.8% winning rate against Melbourne – their worst record against any opponent.
Key: Despite the mass changes, Melbourne still have Cameron Smith playing his 399th NRL game and he’ll likely prove the difference between the inexperienced squads.
Tip: Storm
FRIDAY, JULY 5
Wests Tigers v Sydney Roosters at Bankwest Stadium, 7:55pm.
Head to head: Roosters 24, Tigers, 9.
Last clash: Round 8, 2019 – Roosters 42 bt Tigers 12 at the SCG.
The Roosters have their best winning record (72.7%) against the Tigers and have won 16 of the past 18 clashes. Latrell Mitchell scored 26 points in their most recent match and will be hungry to fire again after failing to win a State of Origin recall for NSW. Despite their dominance against the Tigers, the Roosters are in a mid-season slump and have lost four of their past five games. The Tigers are chasing three straight wins for the first time this season. Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk will look to revitalise his side and could score his 100th NRL try.
Key: Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary (concussion) returns after five weeks out and takes on veteran Benji Marshall in a contest that could decide the game.
Tip: Roosters
SATURDAY, JULY 6
Newcastle Knights v Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7:35pm.
Head to head: Knights 19, Warriors 20, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 8, 2019 – Knights 36 bt Warriors 18 at Mt Smart Stadium.
Newcastle have won seven of their past eight games but are shot this week after losing Origin players Daniel Saifiti, Tim Glasby, David Klemmer and Mitchell Pearce, plus Edrick Lee (broken arm). The Warriors are the worst finishing team this season, averaging just 3.3 points in the final 20 minutes, while conceding the most at 8.1 points. They’ll feel the wrath of coach Stephen Kearney if they can’t get the job done against an undermanned Knights. Test hooker Issac Luke returns off the bench for the Warriors.
Key: Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck can take control of this game without having to worry about Kalyn Ponga (calf) doing the same for Newcastle.
Tip: Warriors.
SUNDAY JULY 7
Cronulla Sharks v Brisbane Broncos at Shark Park, 4:05pm.
Head to head: Broncos 36, Sharks 20
Last clash: Round 7, 2019 – Brisbane 29 bt Cronulla 6 at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane are finding out for the second time what life without Wayne Bennett feels like and it’s not pretty after just five wins through 15 rounds. Things won’t get any easier this week without Origin players Corey Oates, David Fifita, Matt Gillett and Joe Ofahengaue. Anthony Milford (knee) is also out. The Sharks were upset by the Bulldogs last week but former Australian and NSW prop Aaron Woods returns to the starting side. Expect them to bounce back through halfback Chad Townsend.
Key: Broncos fullback Darius Boyd is enduring a forgettable campaign but can get Brisbane’s season back on track with a captain’s knock back in his best position.
Tip: Sharks.
