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Craig HillWeek 2 NRL Semi-Final Preview
September 15th 2006 01:13
NRL Club Previews and Teams for Week 2 of the NRL Semi Finals
First Semi-Final
St George-Illawarra Dragons VS Manly Warringah Sea-Eagles at Aussie Stadium, Friday 15th September, 2006
- Clint Greenshields, Wes Naiqama, Daryl Millard, Matt Cooper, Brett Morris, Trent Barrett (c), Ben Hornby, Luke Bailey, Aaron Gorrell, Jason Ryles, Matt Bickerstaff, Ashton Sims, Ben Creagh. Reserves – Danny Wicks, Justin Poore, Michael Henderson, Sam Isemonger, Shaun Timmins, Matthew Head
- Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Chris Hicks, Steve Matai, Paul Stephenson, Travis Burns, Matt Orford, Jason King, Michael Monaghan, Brent Kite, Steve Menzies, Anthony Watmough, Ben Kennedy. Reserves – Shane Dunley, Kylie Leuluai, Mark Bryant, George Rose, Luke Williamson
Referee – Paul Simpkins
VERDICT:
The loss of both sides’ star centres will detract from the overall spectacle of what will still be a cracking game, with both teams set to unleash their monstrous forwards upon each other. Neither side contains any real weakness for the opposition to exploit, with St George-Illawarra seemingly having a slight advantage in impact off the bench.
Matthew Head’s injection into the game could be the game breaking move in what will be a tight, physical encounter, and his short kicking game and combination with Trent Barrett may just snag a crucial, match winning try. Meanwhile the connection between Manly’s Brett Stewart and Matt Orford could also lay on a game breaking try when there is seemingly nothing on, a fact that the Dragons will be more than aware of.
Prediction – St George-Illawarra Dragons by 4
Second Semi-Final
Newcastle Knights VS Brisbane Broncos at Aussie Stadium, Saturday 16th September, 2006
- Kurt Gidley, Brian Carney, Matt Gidley, George Carmont, Anthony Quinn, Jarrod Mullen, Andrew Johns (c), Josh Perry, Luke Quigley, Adam Woolnough, Kirk Reynoldson, Clint Newton, Reegan Tanner. Reserves – Luke Davico, Craig Smith, Riley Brown, Todd Lowrie, Daniel Abraham
- Justin Hodges, Darius Boyd, Brent Tate, David Stagg, Karmichael Hunt, Darren Lockyer (c), Shane Perry, Shane Webcke, Shaun Berrigan, Petero Civoniceva, Sam Thaiday, Brad Thorn, Tonie Carroll. Reserves – Corey Parker, Dane Carlaw, Ben Hannant, Casey McGuire
Referee – Steve Clark
VERDICT:
In what is a good sign for the struggling Brisbane side, Newcastle’s inspirational backrower Steve Simpson has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, in what is a double blow after the suspension of Test hooker Danny Buderus.
The Knights will still have a load of attacking, play making options, with Johns, Mullen and Kurt Gidley all capable of laying on a try, whilst the Knights centres seemingly have an advantage over their Broncos centre counterparts. However, the loss of Simpson and Buderus have given the Brisbane team a huge advantage in the forwards, and it will be no real surprise for the Broncos to gain ascendancy in this area of the field.
The battle between Lockyer and Johns will have a large bearing on which side will win the match, and their game will largely depend on the service they receive from their relatively inexperienced dummy half players. As with Friday nights game, expect a close, physical encounter, and with the loss of Simpson and Buderus for the Knights, it would seem the Broncos would be deemed favourites.
Prediction – Brisbane Broncos by 8
Be sure to check back tomorrow for a continuing profile on the Gold Coast Titans.
Cheers,
StephenP
First Semi-Final
St George-Illawarra Dragons VS Manly Warringah Sea-Eagles at Aussie Stadium, Friday 15th September, 2006
Referee – Paul Simpkins
VERDICT:
The loss of both sides’ star centres will detract from the overall spectacle of what will still be a cracking game, with both teams set to unleash their monstrous forwards upon each other. Neither side contains any real weakness for the opposition to exploit, with St George-Illawarra seemingly having a slight advantage in impact off the bench.
Matthew Head’s injection into the game could be the game breaking move in what will be a tight, physical encounter, and his short kicking game and combination with Trent Barrett may just snag a crucial, match winning try. Meanwhile the connection between Manly’s Brett Stewart and Matt Orford could also lay on a game breaking try when there is seemingly nothing on, a fact that the Dragons will be more than aware of.
Prediction – St George-Illawarra Dragons by 4
Second Semi-Final
Newcastle Knights VS Brisbane Broncos at Aussie Stadium, Saturday 16th September, 2006
Referee – Steve Clark
VERDICT:
In what is a good sign for the struggling Brisbane side, Newcastle’s inspirational backrower Steve Simpson has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, in what is a double blow after the suspension of Test hooker Danny Buderus.
The Knights will still have a load of attacking, play making options, with Johns, Mullen and Kurt Gidley all capable of laying on a try, whilst the Knights centres seemingly have an advantage over their Broncos centre counterparts. However, the loss of Simpson and Buderus have given the Brisbane team a huge advantage in the forwards, and it will be no real surprise for the Broncos to gain ascendancy in this area of the field.
The battle between Lockyer and Johns will have a large bearing on which side will win the match, and their game will largely depend on the service they receive from their relatively inexperienced dummy half players. As with Friday nights game, expect a close, physical encounter, and with the loss of Simpson and Buderus for the Knights, it would seem the Broncos would be deemed favourites.
Prediction – Brisbane Broncos by 8
Be sure to check back tomorrow for a continuing profile on the Gold Coast Titans.
Cheers,
StephenP
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