Dragons (16) v Tigers (17)
Thursday 7.50pm, WIN Stadium
On a night when the Matildas open their World Cup campaign, The Ashes goes down to the wire and the British Open golf starts, the NRL serves up the Spoonbowl. How lucky are we? Two proud clubs with huge supporter bases will try to fight off the dreaded utensil on a cold night in Wollongong. The Tigers won a cliffhanger between the two sides earlier this year during Magic Round with Ben Hunt, Tyrell Sloan and Jack Bird back for the Dragons after their narrow loss to the Raiders before the bye. Daine Laurie will partner Brandon Wakeham in the halves for the Tigers, who have had to battle another week of unwanted headlines. Tigers by 4.
Adam Pengilly
Warriors (5) v Raiders (4)
Friday 6pm, Go Media Stadium
The Warriors are on a five-day turnaround against a Canberra outfit coming off the bye, but the locals staked their top four credentials with an emphatic last-start demolition of Cronulla. Shaun Johnson is a different player in 2023 and capitalising on smart, reliable efforts from an underrated pack that welcomes Marata Niukore back from suspension. Hooker Wayde Egan is emerging as one of the most improved players in the competition and will fancy his chances around the ruck against the Raiders’ big men. The visitors have Josh Papalii and Corey Horsburgh returning up front but are still going missing for 20-30 minutes each week and letting oppositions back into the game. Warriors by 8.
Dan Walsh
Rabbitohs (8) v Broncos (2)
Friday 8pm, Sunshine Coast Stadium
This could easily double as a grand final preview. And the superstar cavalry returns for both sides. Jai Arrow‘s experience in the middle will help against a Brisbane pack that welcomes Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas. Souths have spoken about switching on for this run home to the finals and will look to make a statement, despite Latrell Mitchell’s comeback from a calf injury being delayed another week. It will be close all the way with some Cody Walker magic to prove the difference. Rabbitohs by 2.
Christian Nicolussi
Titans (12) v Roosters (14)
Saturday 3pm, Cbus Super Stadium
Can James Tedesco’s return to form in State of Origin III ignite the best of the Roosters champion? Having had a week off to rest in the Tricolours’ defeat to Melbourne last week, the skipper will no doubt be out to prove a point in an attempt to salvage his side’s disappointing campaign. The Roosters will need their forward pack to stand up to give their captain the chance to attack, and given the Titans will be without standout prop and leader Tino Fa’asuamaleaui for a three-week suspension they will get no greater chance to prove they are still among the best in the NRL. Gold Coast’s outside backs boast plenty of spark, but their opportunities will likely be reliant on Moeaki Fotuaika shouldering an even greater burden, particularly given their bench still lacks plenty of size. Roosters by 8.
James Tedesco returns for the Roosters after being rested last round following a tough Origin period.Credit: Getty
Nick Wright
Knights (10) v Storm (3)
Saturday 5.30pm, McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle did everything to lose against the Wests Tigers last week, and will need to improve tenfold to stop Melbourne. They dropped too much ball. The Storm have been playing some stiff opposition, and apart from a slip-up against Penrith, are building nicely again at the right time of year. Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes will control this one. The match-up out wide between Xavier Coates and Dominic Young will be a beauty. Storm by 12.
Christian Nicolussi
Cowboys (9) v Eels (7)
Saturday 7.35pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
The Cowboys recaptured their best form during the Origin period, despite missing several key players. Now that they are just about back at full-strength - missing only young gun edge forward Heilum Luki - there is no reason why they cannot continue. The fact that arguably the game’s most damaging lock, Jason Taumalolo, will be coming off the bench is a testament to the strength of their forward pack, which will have an easier job of getting the wood over the Eels in the absence of key enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard through suspension. If North Queensland’s pack win that battle, the combination of Tom Dearden and Scott Drinkwater should have far too much class. Cowboys by 10.
Nick Wright
Panther (1) v Bulldog (15)
Sunday 2pm, BlueBet Stadium
Canterbury are heading in the right direction under Cameron Ciraldo, but it might not look that way after 80 minutes against the team he helped steer to back-to-back premierships. Penrith are at full-strength with Nathan Cleary returning and predicted rain might be the only thing that truly hampers their attack. The Bulldogs have conceded 224 points in their last five games - heaven help them if the sun is out. Viliame Kikau is in line for his first game since March as he recovers from a pec rupture while Kyle Flanagan is playing for his future, going back to halfback after Toby Sexton’s head knock last week. Panthers by 18.
Nathan Cleary is back for his first game since suffering a hamstring injury in round 14.Credit: Getty Images
Dan Walsh
Sharks (6) v Sea Eagles (11)
Sunday 4.05pm, PointsBet Stadium
The Sharks are playing a team outside the top eight, which should mean they win, right? If there is a team as black-and-white as Cronulla this season, then we’re yet to see it. After another thumping at the hands of a finals contender (Warriors) last week, this game will say a lot about the Sharks against a desperate Sea Eagles trying to force their way into the finals picture. Craig Fitzgibbon has wielded the axe, dropping Matt Moylan and relegating Siosifa Talakai to the bench after the leaky left edge was torn apart in New Zealand. Teig Wilton is also sidelined for the year with a knee injury, meaning Jesse Colquhoun starts with Brayden Trindall and Connor Tracey to line up alongside him on that edge. Dale Finucane is back from suspension for the hosts. Matt Lodge will play his first game for the Sea Eagles after a mid-season switch from the Roosters. Sharks by 1.
Adam Pengilly
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