Who's Playing Who?

Everyone’s favourite time of the week, Megatips time! A big week of sport begins with the NRL, AFL and Super Rugby this weekend. In the NRL, Origin on Wednesday means a shortened round, with just the five games over the weekend, although with Origin players out, some interesting clashes present themselves. In the AFL, the logjam around the middle of the table remains, with only 2 wins separating 11th and 6th, and some big clashes for the sides at the top chasing leaders Geelong. In the Super Rugby, we’re in the penultimate weekend, with the teams in the inaugural final to be decided by Sunday morning. So make sure you read on, and get all the expert tips and opinions before seeing all the action!

Standings

 

Match of the Round Previews

NRL

Roosters vs Raiders

Matt says…”Monday night footy brings us another big game this week, with the Raiders travelling up to Sydney looking to back-up their morale boosting win over the Eels last week with another against the struggling Roosters. There are plenty of rookies on show for the Roosters, with Origin and injuries hampering their side, but there is still plenty of class in the halves with Anasta and Carney. They also have energy off the bench in new recruit Anthony Mitchell, and with Perrett and Kenny-Dowell in the outside backs they should be more dangerous than they have been. But to be honest, they simply haven’t been dangerous. The Raiders have started to switch on for the year, typically late, but the form of young Josh Papalii, who is keeping international and vice-captain Bronson Harrison on the bench, has been devastating. If he can keep going forward with the rest of the Raiders pack, they’ll make the job easy for their quality young halves McCrone and Williams. I also have to give a shout-out to my fellow Country man Joel Thompson, who was great on his return last week. Having said all that, I’m going with the Roosters in a tight one. I think the travel will be too much for a young Raiders side, and the Roosters have to click soon, so why not now? Unfortunately only The Phantom agrees with me…”

AFL

Fremantle vs Gold Coast

The Phantom says…“The Gold Coast travel to WA to take on a Fremantle side missing a few of their big names. Last week they welcomed back the biggest man in the game, Sandilands, but that big toe of his played up again, costing him another month on the sidelines. They welcome back Antoni Grover, Hayden Ballantyne, Tendai Mzungu, Jonathon Griffin, which should soften the blow somewhat. The most notable exclusion for the Suns is Michael Rischitelli, with plenty of other changes made… This is Pav’s 250th game for the Dockers, and I’m picking his side will give him the victory in this milestone game.”

Super Rugby

Reds vs Blues

David Shipton says… “As mentioned above, the Reds will be getting several players back, while the Blues have lost lock Anthony Boric to an ankle injury. Last time these two met the Reds raced out to a 24 point lead, only for the Blues to come back to almost level the scores before the Reds pulled away again to take out the match. The Blues will not want to start that badly again this time. Nor will they want a repeat of the first half against the Waratahs last week. If the Waratahs were more clinical they could have been 15 – 20 points up at half time. Against the Reds they very well may well be. The Reds will also not want to start badly, with the possibility of being a bit rusty. The Blues have the fire power to punish them.  Both teams will be looking to play attacking rugby, with the Blues having to shut down Quade Cooper and Will Genia to have a shot. For me, the Blues were not that special last week and will struggle against a quality side such as the Reds. I’m backing the Reds to take this one out by 12 points or less.”

Stormers vs Crusaders

David Shipton says… “The Stormers are coming off a much needed bye, whilst the Crusaders will have to travel half way across the globe for this game. They have traveled 82,000 kilometers already in this Super Rugby campaign, which is quite a lot when you think about it. The Crusaders were great in the second half last week, but were not that great in the first, making too many errors. Against a side with as good a defence as the Stormers, the Crusaders are going to have to be at their clinical best and will have to cut down on the error rate. For the Stormers, they will want their attack to get into motion as it has let them down over this season. They have also lost three of the last four games at home.  The last game between these two sides was a classic, with the Crusaders winning 20 – 14. For me, this will be a game too far for the Crusaders, who will be weary from all the travelling they have been doing. This game will be tight though, with the Stormers just squeaking past the Crusaders. This one will probably go down to the wire, with the Stormers taking it out by 1 – 12 points.”

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Matt

NRL

Eels vs Broncos

Panthers vs Bulldogs

Sharks vs Rabbitohs

Dragons vs Knights

Roosters vs Raiders

 

AFL

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne

Richmond vs Carlton

Fremantle vs Gold Coast

Essendon vs Geelong

Adelaide vs Sydney

Brisbane vs Port Adelaide

Collingwood vs Hawthorn

North Melbourne vs St Kilda

 

Super Rugby

Reds vs Blues

Stormers vs Crusaders

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Adrian

NRL

Eels vs Broncos

Panthers vs Bulldogs

Sharks vs Rabbitohs

Dragons vs Knights

Roosters vs Raiders

 

AFL

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne

Richmond vs Carlton

Fremantle vs Gold Coast

Essendon vs Geelong

Adelaide vs Sydney

Brisbane vs Port Adelaide

Collingwood vs Hawthorn

North Melbourne vs St Kilda

 

Super Rugby

Reds vs Blues

Stormers vs Crusaders

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The Phantom

NRL

Eels vs Broncos

Panthers vs Bulldogs

Sharks vs Rabbitohs

Dragons vs Knights

Roosters vs Raiders

 

AFL

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne

Richmond vs Carlton

Fremantle vs Gold Coast

Essendon vs Geelong

Adelaide vs Sydney

Brisbane vs Port Adelaide

Collingwood vs Hawthorn

North Melbourne vs St Kilda

 

Super Rugby

Reds vs Blues

Stormers vs Crusaders

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Tomo

NRL

Eels vs Broncos

Panthers vs Bulldogs

Sharks vs Rabbitohs

Dragons vs Knights

Roosters vs Raiders

 

AFL

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne

Richmond vs Carlton

Fremantle vs Gold Coast

Essendon vs Geelong

Adelaide vs Sydney

Brisbane vs Port Adelaide

Collingwood vs Hawthorn

North Melbourne vs St Kilda

 

Super Rugby

Reds vs Blues

Stormers vs Crusaders

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David

NRL

Eels vs Broncos

Panthers vs Bulldogs

Sharks vs Rabbitohs

Dragons vs Knights

Roosters vs Raiders

 

AFL

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne

Richmond vs Carlton

Fremantle vs Gold Coast

Essendon vs Geelong

Adelaide vs Sydney

Brisbane vs Port Adelaide

Collingwood vs Hawthorn

North Melbourne vs St Kilda

 

Super Rugby

Reds vs Blues

Stormers vs Crusaders

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