Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 7:50pm, Thursday March 21
Team News: Blake Lawrie replaces Tyson Frizell at lock, with Indigenous All Star Josh Kerr making his NRL debut from the bench. Premiership-winning back-rower Kyle Turner replaces Corey Allan on the interchange bench.
Prediction: The Rabbitohs emerge at the end of the first week with arguably the round's best performance, while the Dragons new look spine was clunky and their forward pack weak at the hands of Jason Taumalolo. They've lost Tyson Frizell for this clash, and with Adam Reynolds hitting the ground running despite no trial time under his belt, the South Sydney pack should have the mercurial halfback in fine form for this one, and 88% Superbu tipsters agree. Rabbitohs by 12.
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GIO Stadium, 6:00pm, Friday March 22
Team News: Jordan Rapana makes a shock return from injury, replacing youngster Bailey Simonsson on the wing. Patrick Kaufusi comes in for Tom Eisenhuth on Melbourne's bench.
Prediction: No one predicted to see Jordan Rapana back this early, possibly at the risk of re-injury. Melbourne were clinical as usual against Brisbane, and while Canberra did complete a 21-0 win over the Gold Coast Titans, their opponents were heavily depleted and an already weak squad. John Bateman was fantastic on debut for the Raiders, but their forward pack will be no match for Melbourne's, and with an incredibly superior spine, the Storm should go 2-0 in Canberra, as predicted by 76% of tipsters. Melbourne by 8.
Suncorp Stadium, 7:55pm, Friday March 22
Team News: Matt Lodge has been handed a two-week suspension, which sees Tevita Panjai Jnr start at prop and Shaun Fensom join the bench. David Fifita and Jaydn Su'A swap places between the bench and the second-row. North Queensland are unchanged.
Prediction: The Cowboys will be just fine without JT. Michael Morgan was fantastic in his return, while Taumalolo ran riot against a weak Dragon's pack. Brisbane was disappointing but will be better for the run. Returning to Suncorp Stadium for the first time in 2019, the Broncos should improve on home turf and against their arch enemies, but its a 50-50 split from Superbru punters. Brisbane by 2.
Shark Park, 3:00pm, Saturday March 23
Team News: Cronulla are unchanged. Ryley Jacks replaces Tyrone Roberts in the halves, while Anthony Don re-joins the side on the wing, with Phillip Sami dropping to the bench, and pushing Dale Copley out.
Prediction: The only way is up for the Titans. Ryley Jacks is one of the most understated players in the game and should improve a fractured Gold Coast attack, but Cronulla will be eager to pit a stop to that. Cronulla were below par against Newcastle, their only try coming in the form of a controversial penalty try. Shaun Johnson will be better for the run and keen to perform in front of a home ground, they should easily get over the line in this one, and 90% of Superbru tipsters are on their bandwagon in this one. Cronulla by 14.
McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:30pm, Saturday March 23
Team News: Herman Ese'ese replaces Daniel Saifiti on the bench for Newcastle. Sione Kato returns for Penrith, pushing Wayde Egan to the bench and Jarome Luai out of the side. Frank Winterstein will make his club debut with Tyrell Fuimaono dropping off the bench.
Prediction: The Ponga-Pearce combination will be taking baby steps, but their was a solid foundation there last weekend. Penrith were upset by a rejuvenated Parramatta outfit, and looked scrappy throughout the contest. While they'll be better for the run, it takes a brave man to bet against Newcastle at home, and I'm not that brave, nor or 75% of punters who tipped the Knights. Newcastle by 4.
Lottoland, 7:35pm, Saturday March 23
Team News: Addin Fonua-Blake are out for Manly, pushing Toafofoa Sipley into the starting side, with Manase Fainu and Corey Waddell join the bench. The Roosters are unchanged.
Prediction: Landslide incoming. Manly summed their season ahead up with the bombed Brad Parker try, meanwhile the Roosters' handling errors cost them any shot at victory over their arch-rivals. I can't see Manly even being in the contest for this one, Latrell let himself get baited last week and will be eager to prove himself. Poor Moses Suli. Manly, unfortunately, don't stand a chance against the Roosters forward pack, expect Angus Crichton to get a few more minutes. 82% of Superbu tipsters are also on the reining premiers here. Roosters by 20.
ANZ Stadium, 4:05pm, Sunday March 24
Team News: The Bulldogs are unchanged. Michael Jennings, Nathan Brown and Will Smith are all out for Parramatta, with Josh Hoffman starting at centre, Junior Paulo's inclusion at prop pushing Tepai Moeroa to lock, and Jaemon Salmon joining the bench.
Prediction: Parramatta took advantage of a distracted Penrith outfit last week, but the Bulldogs will have this game front and centre after being embarrassed last weekend. Canterbury did nothing but prove their wooden spoon favourtism is on the money, and Parramatta showed they wouldn't be hanging around to collect the dreaded utensil again. The definition if insanity is trying the exact same thing twice, and hoping for different results. For example, Dean Pay naming an unchanged line-up. 79% of fans are backing that Parramatta will role through the Dogs, even without some of their stars. Parramatta by 12.
Campbelltown Stadium, 6:10pm, Sunday March 24
Team News: The Tigers are unchanged, with Moses Mbye being included on the reserves. Isaiah Papali'i returns in place of Blake Ayshford, with Isaac Luke in the reserves.
Prediction: This could be the match of the round. Both teams had solid wins last weekend, Robbie Farah proved his last season in the NRL will be a memorable one. The Warriors put a cricket score on the Bulldogs, but you only had to look at Peta Hiku's try to see how good an opponent the Bulldog's are. The competition's newest half in Adam Keighran will face off against one of the NRL's most experienced in Benji Marshall. It's a flip of a coin, but with home ground advantage, the Tigers should sneak home, while 52% went the other way . Tigers by 1.
The Dragons' fullback failed to truly inject himself last weekend as St George Illawarra still work out their clunky attack. Wayne Bennett has poured fuel on the fire this week saying Widdop shouldn't be playing at fullback at all. Up against Wayne this week, the England international will be keen to prove himself on his home turf.
Marcelo Montoya. The Bulldogs centre was shocking last weekend, and incredibly lucky to still be in first-grade this week. His assignment becomes easier this week with Michael Jennings suspended, but another poor defensive display and we'll see Hopoate in that centre spot with Nick Meaney at fullback - and no Montoya.
The front-rower became the second player in rugby league history this year to play for the Indigenous All Stars before making his NRL debut. He scored a try in that contest and will be eager to do the same here when he comes off the bench.
The Chooks won't want to go 0-2, and should dispose of a weakened Manly outfit fairly easily. Backing Latrell to score 2 or more tries might be handy as well.
The Bulldogs are already working on a contract extension for Dean Pay despite last week's showing. The board are a big reason the Bulldogs are in this mess and the re-signing of Pay will prove it.