It’s a massive NRL Saturday ahead with Origin affecting both clashes as the Warriors host the Broncos and the Raiders take on a depleted South Sydney.
So who do the odds like?
NZ WARRIORS: $1.44 (via bet365)
BRISBANE BRONCOS: $2.95 (via Ladbrokes)
McLean Park (Napier), Saturday 5:30pm AEST
Full CODE Bet Match Centre here
Two depleted contenders will try to grind out wins without their Origin stars, but we’re not having any of it.
Brisbane’s non-Origin players travel all the way to Napier across the ditch, attempting to collect an important two competition points.
The ‘Baby Broncos’ are tasked with ending the club’s two-game losing skid in New Zealand. Are they any chance?
NO ‘WARRIES’ IN NZ
Warriors fans can worry less, with their side fresh off a bye and ready to enjoy home ground advantage against a depleted Broncos outfit.
New Zealand’s got no players tied up in the Origin opener. It’s, in theory, bad. But helpful for the cause this week.
Addin Fonua-Blake has been on a minor rampage, scoring four tries from his last five games.
BRONCOS’ ODDS AGAINST THEM
The Broncos are missing five key contributors, but still have Adam Reynolds to lead them around the park.
The problem is the go-forward they’ll miss, with all three usual starting middles unavailable (Flegler, Haas, Carrigan). This won’t help the side get to favourable positions on the park, against a stout defence, even if there’s still some quality in the team out wide.
Tohu Harris of the Warriors in round 11. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
New Zealand will overpower this inexperienced forward pack, but will also aim to suffocate them and grind it out, keeping to total points under.
WHO WINS?
New Zealand has been a covering machine this season at 7-2-2 and should have no problems against this understrength Broncos squad.
BEST BET: NZ Warriors -7.5, $1.91 (via bet365)
Elliott Whitehead of the Raiders celebrates scoring a try during round 12. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS: $1.78 (via Ladbrokes)
CANBERRA RAIDERS: $2.12 (via Betr)
Accor Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm AEST
Full CODE Bet Match Centre here
Spoiler alert, the Origin absentees are impacting this match as well.
The Rabbitohs have a few vital stars out, while the Raiders won’t have Hudson Young.
DEPLETED RABBITS START AS FAVOURITES
The Rabbits hold favouritism despite missing Cam Murray, Latrell Mitchell and Jai Arrow.
It’s the home ground advantage and Canberra’s shock loss that swings the odds in Souths’ direction here.
Each of the Rabbits’ last six home games against the Raiders have hit the overs. That comes to an end here, without the strike of Latrell.
CANBERRA SET TO RAID THE RABBITS
We talked up Canberra’s sneaky top four claims last week and one disappointing loss isn’t going to change how we feel about this side.
They’re a decent football side and should be good enough to bounce back and make amends.
The Raiders’ forward pack has enough muscle to win the middle and the backline remains unaffected by Origin 1.
BEST BET: Canberra Raiders – H2H, $2.12 (via Betr)
[all odds as of May 26]
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