Rugby League

One of the biggest rivalries in rugby begins anew on Wednesday as the Queensland Maroons prepare to face New South Wales Blues in the opening match of this year's State of Origin series.

The first of three fixtures between the two powerhouses of rugby league promises to be a barnburner—as is always the case in this series—and Queensland are chasing a third consecutive title in 2017.

This year's head-to-head kicks off at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium before a three-week respite until Game 2 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on June 21, with the final meeting scheduled to take place back in Brisbane on July 12.

Two of the last three State of Origin series have been decided after the first two matches, however, and both teams will be jostling to get that all-important tilt towards victory in Game 1 on Wednesday.

Here, we provide a look at all the essential match details to ensure you don't miss out on the action, complete with live-stream information and a preview of the midweek opener in Brisbane.

         

Date: Wednesday, May 31

Time: 11 a.m. BST/8 p.m. AEST/6 a.m. ET

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live Stream: Premier Sports (UK), Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S.), Fox Sports (AUS)

Preview

One of the biggest discussion points leading into this year's three-parter was the news that 10-time State Of Origin winner Johnathan Thurston would play no part in the first match of the series due to a shoulder injury.

The official Queensland Rugby League website confirmed Thurston's absence on Thursday, and Dominique Loudon of 9 News Gold Coast provided a shot of the statement with quotes from the Maroons talisman:

Johnathan Thurston ruled out of Origin Game 1. @GCTitans Jarrod Wallace moves to 18th man @9NewsGoldCoast pic.twitter.com/CmPvZMSKvK

— Dominique Loudon (@DominiqueLoudon) May 24, 2017

This will be the first time in his career that Thurston will fail to feature in all three games of an Origin series—provided he recovers for Games 2 and 3—giving New South Wales hope in their efforts to breaks the Maroons' current streak.

Meanwhile, Blues coach Laurie Daley named his squad for the 2017 blockbuster on May 22, per Fox Sports:

JUST IN:
Laurie Daley names his @NSWRL #StateOfOrigin squad for game one at Suncorp Stadium pic.twitter.com/nmZhargofg

— FOX SPORTS News (@FOXSportsNews) May 22, 2017

Second row Boyd Cordner will captain the New South Wales team in place of National Rugby League icon Paul Gallen after the 35-year-old announced his retirement from Origin play.

One notable absence from Daley's lineup is Parramatta Eels star Michael Jennings, although the centre responded with humility after learning of his omission from the Game 1 squad, via 7 News Sydney:

State of Origin veteran @M_Jennings_03 says he's fine to be overlooked from @NSWRL squad. @JarrydHayne could take his place. @josh_massoud pic.twitter.com/QYqsZ7reQD

— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) May 19, 2017

There's no overstating just how dramatic Thurston's absence could be for Queensland as 22-year-old debutant Anthony Milford prepares to take his place at five-eighth.

However, Brisbane Broncos centre Justin Hodges expects his club team-mate to stand up well to the pressure, per Phil Lutton of the Sydney Morning Herald:

"It's going to be tough for him. Until you are out there, until you are in the battle and especially in those tight games, it's like you are going to hell and back.

"They are going to throw bodies at him, put him under the pump defensively, throw shape at him. He has to stay composed and he's there for a reason—because he's very, very good.

"There is a lot of pressure ... they are massive shoes and you can never replace a guy like Johnno, even for one game. He is going to have to put his body through things he never thought he could. But it will only make him a better player."

Only on Wednesday will we know the impact it has on the Maroons to see their evergreen star on the sidelines with a rookie taking his spot, even if Samoa international Milford is regarded as one of the brightest prospects on the circuit.

That said, no one individual decides a State of Origin fixture, and while some may say the series has lost some of its feud in recent years, a monstrous tug of war awaits in Wednesday's curtain-raiser.

The State of Origin period is the most crucial time of the year for those NRL teams looking to build momentum in their season. Some clubs endure a difficult run with absentees across the next eight weeks, while others can make up considerable ground knowing they will have full-strength sides at their disposal.

It's a really difficult time for rugby league punters, who have to assess exactly how big a difference some teams having their best players unavailable will make. This Saturday's match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Brisbane Broncos is the perfect example.

The Warriors, currently 14th with a 4-7 record, are $1.40 AUD favourites according to AustralianGambling.com.au against the Broncos, who sit second on the table and have won six straight matches but are $3.

The fact this match is in Auckland exacerbates the nature of the market, with Brisbane short of their top six players in this and the Warriors minus just one.

Any team is going to struggle without their six best players, and the fact the Broncos have played so well over the past month probably hurts them because more of their players stood out for selection with Queensland.

Unfortunately being the best team in Queensland, it comes with the territory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mayaqSj5V0

It's a similar issue for the Cronulla Sharks, with the premiers missing Origin quartet James Maloney, Andrew Fifita, Jack Bird and Wade Graham for their clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs on Saturday night.

The Sharks start $1.56 favourites and do have Valentine Holmes available after he was left out of the Queensland squad. The Bulldogs are $2.45 favourites and without New South Wales trio Brett Morris, Josh Jackson and David Klemmer.

In contrast, Friday night's match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Parramatta Eels features two full-strength sides, with neither of those teams having players called up. It's a bonus that both coaches could probably do without as it reflects both sides' poor start to the season.

The Rabbitohs are 4-7 but go into this match as $1.75 favourites with the Eels, who are also 4-7 at $2.10. These two sides need to make the most of the advantage they gain during this period and start winning if they are to be considered contenders for finals footy.

Much has been expected of the Canberra Raiders this season, and after a hard-fought win over the Eels last week, the Raiders are back to 5-6 and just inside the eight.

They are relatively unscathed by Origin, losing only Josh Papalii, and are $1.42 to knock over the Sydney Roosters ($2.95) when they host them on Sunday.

The Roosters have had a good first 11 weeks of the season, winning eight and losing three, but are without Origin reps Blake Ferguson, Mitchell Pearce, Boyd Cordner, Dylan Napa and Aidan Guerra. It would be a massive effort for them to win their first game in the national capital since 2010.

The momentum is building for a Cronulla Sharks premiership defense off the back of a run that has included six wins in their past seven matches. They will hope to continue that rich vein of form when they host an under-manned North Queensland Cowboys side on Thursday night.

The Sharks, who are $1.52 AUD to win this match, according to AustralianGambling.com.au, have moved into second on the NRL ladder, just a game behind Melbourne Storm, the team they beat in last year's Grand Final.

A win here would put substantial heat on the Storm, who must travel to Perth in an away game against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday. The Storm are $1.38 favourites to win that match, with Souths the $3.10 outsiders, but matches in strange places can often produce strange results.

Back to the task ahead of the Sharks, and the Cowboys ($2.56) will hardly be pushovers after showing last week that they are far from a one-man side, hammering the Bulldogs 30-14 despite being without playmaker Johnathan Thurston.

The Sharks can expect a difficult night, but it is a match they should walk away from with the points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOdRZTCLnVQ

The St George Illawarra Dragons were top of the ladder three weeks ago but have now slumped to fifth off the back of three consecutive losses to the top three sides. Theoretically the task gets easier when they play the New Zealand Warriors, against whom they've won 12 of their last 13 matches.

But their recent slump, plus the fact this match will be played in Waikato, has the Warriors as $1.48 favourites, with the Dragons at $2.68. Those odds on the Dragons are tempting.

The other Friday night match pits the in-form Brisbane Broncos against the battling Wests Tigers. The Broncos are $1.18 to make it six wins on the trot, while the Tigers at $5 are the longest price of any team this round.

Saturday sees the Gold Coast Titans, who are on a three-match winning streak, take on the Manly Sea Eagles. The Titans knocked off the Storm last week and are $1.60 to win this match with the Sea Eagles at $2.38.

The Canberra Raiders have been a punter's worst nightmare this year, but they are favourites again at $1.53 when they travel to ANZ Stadium to play the Parramatta Eels ($2.55). Most wouldn't back the Raiders with someone else's money after they lost to the Newcastle Knights last week.

Speaking of the Knights, they are $3.60 outsiders to register back-to-back wins when they host the Penrith Panthers ($1.30) on Sunday.

Sunday also sees the third-placed Sydney Roosters as $1.46 favourites against the Canterbury Bulldogs ($2.75) as well as the match between the Rabbitohs and the Storm in Perth.

St. George Illawarra's NRL premiership credentials face their third major test in as many matches when they play host to premiers, the Cronulla Sharks, on Friday night at the Jubilee Oval.

The Dragons were top of the table after seven rounds with a 6-1 record, but they lost to fellow top four-sides the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm in the two weeks before last week's representative break.

They are now $3 AUD outsiders to defeat the Sharks, who are $1.40 having won five of their past six matches, according to AustralianGambling.com.au.

The market belies the fact that the Dragons were able to knock off the Sharks just seven weeks ago in their first meeting of the season and that Cronulla haven't won at this ground since 2007.

The Dragons have lost Josh Dugan for this match after he broke his cheekbone in the Anzac Test, forcing a shuffle with Jason Nightingale fitting it at full-back. The Sharks are also injury-struck with  Tony Williams out for the rest of the season with an ACL, allowing Luke Lewis to return to the back row.

While there are plenty of questions about the Dragons, there are even more about the North Queensland Cowboys, who will be without their skipper Johnathan Thurston for another six weeks.

Thurston injured his shoulder playing for Australia and his absence is a massive blow for the battling Cowboys, who sit just outside the eight.

They come to Sydney to take on the Canterbury Bulldogs on Thursday night at ANZ Stadium and, without their star half-back, they are $2.40 outsiders, with the Bulldogs $1.58 favourites.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya-9Kme4Olo

If the Wests Tigers or the South Sydney Rabbitohs are going to more than just make up the numbers this season, they need to start winning games. The two sides are 3-6 and face off at ANZ on Friday night both desperate for the win.

The oddsmakers are expecting a close game with the Rabbitohs $1.82 favourites ahead of the Tigers at $2. The line is just 1.5.

It's a similarly tight market for the Penrith Panthers versus New Zealand Warriors match on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers are $1.75 to beat the Warriors ($2.10) having won their last three matches against New Zealand at Pepper Stadium.

Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium hosts a double-header with premiership favourites the Melbourne Storm expected to prevail over the Gold Coast Titans in what is a home match for them. The Storm are $1.36 to win that, with the Titans at $3.20.

In the second match, the Manly Sea Eagles also play a host side, against usual Suncorp tenants the Brisbane Broncos. Manly are the outsiders at $2.37, with Brisbane at $1.60.

On Sunday, the Canberra Raiders are $1.20 when they travel to Newcastle to take on the Knights ($4.60), while the Sydney Roosters are $1.50 favourites against the Parramatta Eels, who are $2.62.

An unidentified French Rugby League player could be banned from the sport for life after punching referee Benjamin Casty, the brother of Catalan Dragons' Remi Casty, during a junior French Cup match.

According to The Independent's Jack de Menezes, the incident took place in the match between Saint-Esteve and Toulouse. The culprit, who plays for the former side, was sin-binned and responded by knocking down the official.

IBTimes Sport shared this photo of the incident and confirmed Casty had to be taken to a hospital:

French rugby league official Benjamin Casty hospitalised after being knocked out during a match https://t.co/ie7d7xQg6C pic.twitter.com/AsujgsCh6b

— IBTimes Sport (@IBTimesUKSport) April 28, 2017

Derek John Beaumont showed video of the entire incident:

This makes @gazhock12 look like a saint! Wonder what grade the RFL would give this one @drmarwanK the alphabet probably not long enough!👊😩 pic.twitter.com/4Fj61nAmf2

— Derek John Beaumont (@derek_beaumont) April 27, 2017

The punch prompted a brawl on the pitch, as Toulouse players went to confront the aggressor.

Per the report, Casty suffered injuries to his cheekbone and jaw. Club president Christian Cozza told reporters the player had already been suspended for four matches earlier this season, and he did not want him to play for his team.

Marc Palanques, who heads the French Rugby Federation, spoke out about the incident: "I hope that the National Disciplinary Commission, which will meet on Wednesday, will be uncompromising."

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Round 9 of the National Rugby League season is highlighted by a clash between the top two teams on the ladder, Melbourne Storm and St. George Illawarra Dragons.

The Storm ascended back to the top of the table courtesy of a hard-fought win over the New Zealand Warriors on Anzac Day, and they have just five days to recover ahead of this Sunday's game at WIN Stadium.

But the Dragons are coming off the same break, having suffered the disappointment of an extra-point defeat against the Roosters, and are set for another stern test of their Premiership credentials.

The Storm have not won in Wollongong since 2005 but are $1.45 favourites to prevail, according to AustralianGambling.com.au, with the Dragons at $2.80. The line is six points in the home team's favour which is the margin or less in which seven of the eight matches were decided by last week.

The team who would benefit most from a Dragons loss would be their conquerors of last week, the Sydney Roosters. They could rise to second if they can get the two points when they travel to Auckland to face the New Zealand Warriors earlier on Sunday.

The oddsmakers have given the Roosters favouritism in that match, but not by much at $1.82 to the Warriors at $2. The line is just 1.5 with the visitors having lost five of their past seven matches in New Zealand, including a 12-10 defeat there last year.

The Brisbane Broncos have ridden the rollercoaster this season but are back on track after a hat-trick of wins moved them to fifth. They are $1.42 to make that four straight successes when they host the out-of-form Penrith Panthers, who are $2.90 outsiders in the Thursday night match.

The Panthers' season is starting to fall apart off the back of three straight losses, including an upset loss to the Parramatta Eels last week, and they are 14th and already two games out of the fight for the eight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDGavPNK27I

On Friday night, South Sydney will be hoping to resolve their puzzling home form against the Manly Sea Eagles at Allianz Arena. The Rabbitohs are $2.04 to record their first home win of the season, while the Sea Eagles—fresh off an upset win over the Canberra Raiders last week—are $1.80 betting favourites.

Later on Friday, the North Queensland Cowboys are $1.52 to defeat Parramatta in Townsville, having got back to form with a win over the Newcastle Knights. The Cowboys could get four-time Dally M winner Johnathan Thurston back, which makes their odds look appealing with the Eels currently $2.55 outsiders.

With Jarryd Hayne back in form and flying, the Gold Coast Titans go into their match as $1.24 favourites against the Newcastle Knights ($4.15). The Titans haven't won back-to-back matches since Round 24 last year, while the Knights have won just one of their past 26.

The other Saturday games sees the Canberra Raiders at $1.50 when they visit the Canterbury Bulldogs ($2.65), while the Cronulla Sharks are $1.53 to get their Premiership defence back on track against the Wests Tigers ($2.55).

The battle for the top spot in the National Rugby League will be on in earnest on Anzac Day as three of the top four teams feature on the traditional day of remembrance across Australia and New Zealand.

The top-placed St George Illawarra Dragons and the fourth-placed Sydney Roosters will play off in their traditional public holiday blockbuster on Tuesday. A slip-up from the Dragons could allow Melbourne Storm to reclaim the top spot when they play New Zealand Warriors later that night.

The oddsmakers have the Roosters vs. Dragons clash priced as one of the closest for the round, with the Roosters $1.62 (AUD) favourites and the Dragons $2.33 outsiders despite winning six of their first seven, according to AustralianGambling.com.au.

The line in that match is at four points, reflecting the fact that three of the past four matches between these two have been decided by less than a converted try.

It's worth noting the Roosters have lost 10 of the 15 Anzac Day clashes between these two teams, including the last two, while they thrashed the Dragons when they last met in Round 24 last year.

The Melbourne Storm haven't been at their best in recent weeks but are expected to make light work of the Warriors when they meet them.

The oddsmakers have the Storm at $1.30 to win this having won their past three against the New Zealand side and their past four clashes at AAMI Park. The Warriors are $3.60 to upset the Storm on Anzac Day for just the third time in eight tries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu96JdbQgGw

Four days earlier, the Canberra Raiders and the Manly Sea Eagles get things under way in the national capital on Friday night. The Raiders have won three straight by convincing margins to put forward their credentials for the title this year, despite sitting 4-3 on the win-loss ledger.

They are $1.25 to defeat the Sea Eagles, who are going in the opposite direction on the ladder after a narrow loss to Melbourne Storm last week. Manly are $4.10 to win this one having lost three of their past four against Canberra.

Later on Friday, the inconsistent Brisbane Broncos head to Sydney for Friday night football against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Round 7 win over the Titans might have been the first time the Broncos had put together back-to-back wins for the season, but it was far from convincing, and after opening $1.38 for this one at the start of the week, they have now drifted out to $1.50.

Souths' hopes of winning this were boosted when Sam Burgess was cleared to play by the judiciary, and they are $2.63 to win this coming off a disappointing performance against the Bulldogs last week.

Cronulla Sharks' premiership defence is gathering momentum, and they find themselves as $1.28 favourite to win Saturday night's clash with the Gold Coast Titans, who are $3.75.

In the afternoon game, the battle of the west sees Parramatta Eels host Penrith Panthers, with the Panthers $1.65 to snap a three-matching losing streak and the 3-4 Eels $2.26 outsiders.

The North Queensland Cowboys are missing Johnathan Thurston and have lost their past two, but they aren't expected to be too worried by the Newcastle Knights. The market in that one sees the Cowboys as $1.31 favourites and the Knights at $3.50.

The lone Sunday game sees the Canterbury Bulldogs at $1.55 to beat the Wests Tigers at $2.48. The Dogs are back in form after a win over the Rabbitohs last week, while the Tigers coughed up a 12-point second-half lead against the Eels and seem to lack confidence at the moment.

A Good Friday tripleheader kicks off National Rugby League Round 7, with the Sydney Roosters heavily favored to bounce back from consecutive losses when they travel to Newcastle to take on the bottom of the table Knights.

The Roosters were unbeaten after four matches, but losses to Manly Sea Eagles and Brisbane Broncos have brought them right back to the pack after their promising start.

They have a great chance to get things going again against the hapless Knights, who lost their fourth straight when they hosted the Canterbury Bulldogs last Friday night.

The oddsmakers have the Roosters at $1.27 AUD for this match, according to AustralianGambling.com.au, with the Knights at $3.85 and the line at 10.5 points.

Earlier, the Canterbury Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs battle it out at ANZ Stadium as they both look to get back inside the eight. The Rabbitohs are ninth and the Bulldogs are 11th, both with 3-3 records, and are coming off last start wins.

It is tipped to be the closest match of the round, with the Rabbitohs given a +1.5 start at the line. The Dogs are $1.80 on the betting lines and Souths are at $2.04.

From the tightest match to the most lopsided, with the Brisbane Broncos hosting a Queensland derby against the struggling Gold Coast Titans.

The Broncos finally look to have found their rhythm after an indifferent start to the season and are $1.17 to continue their long winning streak over Gold Coast at this venue. The Titans haven't beaten the Broncos on home turf in 10 years and accordingly are $5.15.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFbSiLNA4Hc

Bitter rivals Manly and Melbourne Storm face off at Brookvale on Saturday afternoon, with Storm still seething after dropping their first match of the season against Cronulla last week.

The furious reaction of coach Craig Bellamy tells you all you need to know about the impeccable standards the Storm keep themselves to and they are $1.60 to bounce back here, despite Manly hosting the match. The Sea Eagles, currently 3-3 after a big loss to the Dragons last week, are $2.38 to win this.

Canberra Raiders' 2017 campaign is back on track after three wins from their past four matches, and they are heavily favored at $1.37 to beat the New Zealand Warriors ($3.15) on Saturday evening.

The ladder-leading St. George Illawarra Dragons can further extend their impressive start to the season when they host an injury-depleted North Queensland Cowboys at WIN Stadium. The Dragons are $1.40 to win this one, with the Cowboys, who are missing superstar Johnathan Thurston, at $3.00.

Reigning premiers Cronulla Sharks are plotting their second Sunday upset in as many weeks when they travel to Penrith to play the Panthers.

The Sharks may have beaten the Storm last week, but they are $2.25 to win this match at Pepper Stadium, where they have won three of their past four. The Panthers are $1.66.

The final match is an Easter Monday clash between Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium.
The Eels are $1.65 favorites for this match despite losing to the Warriors last week to slump to 2-4. The Tigers produced the biggest upset of the season when they rolled the Cowboys last week, but they are $2.26 to do it again here.

The Brisbane Broncos' season hits a bit of a crossroads Thursday night when they host the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium having lost three of their first five games of the National Rugby League season.

The Broncos have missed the finals just twice in the past 25 seasons, but they look vulnerable in 2017 having fallen to the Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys and, most recently, the Canterbury Bulldogs. All three of those losses were by one or two points.

The Roosters are coming off their first loss of the season, an 18-12 defeat by Manly last week, and enter this match as $2.03 AUD outsiders, according to AustralianGambling.com.au. They have lost their last three matches in Brisbane. The Broncos are $1.80, and with the line at just +1.5 in the Roosters' favor it is expected to be the tightest match of the round.

Friday night's two matches are expected to be relatively clear-cut with the second-from-bottom Newcastle Knights at $2.54 at home against the back-in-form Canterbury Bulldogs, who are $1.54.

The later match sees South Sydney, thrashed by the Cowboys 20-6 last week, head to Penrith to take on the Panthers. Both teams may be 2-3, but the oddsmakers have the Panthers at $1.60 with the Rabbitohs at $2.38.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnVuiJv4YV0

Saturday afternoon footy at Brookvale will surely attract a good crowd as the Manly Sea Eagles, fresh from knocking off the Roosters, are $1.50 on the betting lines to end the St George Illawarra Dragons' three-match winning streak. The Dragons may be sitting second on the table, but punters think that's an early-season anomaly, and they are $2.62 to win their first game at Brooky in nine years.

The Canberra Raiders' season is getting back on track after a shaky start and they are $1.42 to win when they travel to Gold Coast to play the struggling Titans, who are $2.90 having not won in seven matches at home.

Further north, the North Queensland Cowboys are expected to make light work of the bottom-of-the-table Wests Tigers. The Cowboys have won 15 of their past 17 matches at their home ground and are at $1.14 to rack up another win, with the Tigers at $5.85.

Sunday's matches are expected to provide better entertainment for the neutral with the New Zealand Warriors at $1.74 hosting the Parramatta Eels ($2.12) in what is an important match with both teams at 2-3.

The round finishes off with a Grand Final re-match from last year between the Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday evening at Melbourne's AAMI Park.

The Storm, who are clear premiership favorites, are unbeaten and favoured to continue on that path at $1.44, with the Sharks at $2.82 having won three of five matches to date. Cronulla have lost all seven matches at AAMI Park.

It's taken five weeks into the season for the oddsmakers to get a read on the form teams of the National Rugby League, and Round 5 features six games where the line is set at six points or longer, according to AustralianGambling.com.au.

There has been a wealth of games early this season where those who set the markets have been unable to pick a favourite, reflecting a ladder where there is just one game between fifth and 16th.

But there is a lot more betting confidence with this round of matches, with the closest predicted to be the final clash of the round between the Wests Tigers and the St George Illawarra Dragons.

The Tigers, under interim coach Andrew Webster for the first time, put up a good fight against the Storm last week and are rated a $2.25 (AUD) chance to end their three-match losing streak when they host the Dragons ($1.66) at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night. The Dragons are third in the ladder with a 3-1 record.

A full four days earlier at the same venue, the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Brisbane Broncos kick off the round with what is expected to be a one-sided match.

The Broncos got a crucial but narrow win over the Canberra Raiders last week and are $1.35 to go back-to-back in this match, with the Bulldogs at $3.25 after being thrashed by the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles last week.

The Sea Eagles front-up Friday night in an intriguing clash with the Sydney Roosters, one of two unbeaten teams in the competition. As you'd expect, the Roosters are $1.41 favourites, but Manly are far from without hope at $2.95 having won three of their past four against the Roosters, including their lone encounter last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTrl7QqXSbM

Friday night's other match sees the North Queensland Cowboys, who are 3-1 and in fourth place, host the 10th place South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Cowboys have only lost to the Rabbitohs once in Townsville since 2008. Accordingly, they are $1.30 with the Rabbitohs at $3.60.

Reigning premiers Cronulla Sharks are the shortest priced favourite for the round when they host the struggling Newcastle Knights. The Sharkies may have lost both their home games to date, but they are $1.13 to break that mini drought, with the Knights at $6.20.

The Canberra Raiders are $1.40 to beat the Parramatta Eels ($3) with both sides desperate for a win after so-so starts to the season, while the other Saturday night match sees premiership favourites Melbourne Storm at $1.57 to continue their unbeaten start to the season against the Penrith Panthers, who are $2.45.

In the remaining game for the round, the New Zealand Warriors play host to the Gold Coast Titans in Auckland on Sunday with both sides at 1-3 and really needing a victory. The home side are $1.46, with the Titans the outsiders at $2.75.