<p>While all eyes will be on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/predictions/state-of-origin-game-2-tips-2025">State of Origin Game 2</a> this Wednesday night, we’re flashing a quick glance towards NRL round 16.</p> <p>The dust will barely have time to settle from another interstate showdown before we launch straight into another round of Rugby League.</p> <p>As always with a post-Origin round, the big question will be around which representative stars will back up for their club sides and which will need a little longer in the recovery room.</p> <p>How deep is your team’s squad? Let’s find out. For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this week’s action, check out our expert NRL round 16 tips and predictions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, June 20, 8:00pm AEST – Campbelltown Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>NRL round 16 gets underway with this match between the Wests Tigers and the Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Stadium on Friday night.</p> <p>The injury to Parramatta star Mitchell Moses might end up costing the Tigers just as much as the Eels, as main man Jarome Luai has been called into the NSW team to play No.6 on Wednesday night.</p> <p>With this game on Friday night, that gives Luai less than two full days to recover from what should be a bruising battle out West.</p> <p>We doubt there are enough ice baths and electrolytes in the world to have him ready to go in time and against a red-hot and fully rested Raiders side currently sitting second, his omission might be too much for the timid Tigers to overcome.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/wests-tigers-v-canberra-raiders-9304795">Canberra Raiders.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Big win little win – Raiders 13+</p>

<h2>New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 21, 3:00pm AEST – Go Media Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We must confess. We had the Warriors penned as the ‘elephant up the tree’ for season 2025. No one knows how it got up there, but everyone knows it’s just a matter of time before it comes crashing down.</p> <p>Well, what do you know, just two points off the top, the Wahs don’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.</p> <p>After a week off they now welcome Penrith to Go Media Stadium and will be looking to add another impressive scalp to their already growing collection this season.</p> <p>Speaking of Penrith. From the depths of despair to a win away from the eight, the Panthers have pulled it back and now have everyone looking over their shoulder.</p> <p>A win in NZ will have the rest of the competition on notice, but with such heavy Origin representation and the flight from Perth to Auckland being quite a big one, we doubt any of their stars will be backing up here. Up the Wahs, as they say.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/new-zealand-warriors-v-penrith-panthers-9304797">New Zealand Warriors.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Adam Pompey anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Dolphins vs Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 21, 5:30pm AEST – HBF Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Phins are definitely up at the moment. Kristian Woolf’s side are riding high in sixth and are coming off a mammoth 58-4 win over Queensland rivals the Cowboys.</p> <p>Their opponents this week, the Knights, remain uninspiring in 2025, with their drab, low-scoring loss to the Roosters last round really summing up their campaign to date.</p> <p>With this game also taking place in Perth like State of Origin Game 2, there is a very real chance both Kalyn Ponga and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will go from teammates to opposing fullbacks in the space of three days here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/dolphins-v-newcastle-knights-9304819">The Dolphins.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 21, 7:35pm AEST – Stadium Australia</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bunnies bright start to the season is now just an afterthought, as age, injuries, and bad form have taken their toll on Wayne Bennett’s side.</p> <p>They face a refreshed Storm side coming off a bye this week, although it remains to be seen who will back up for this one after Origin, so keep an eye on the late mail before locking in your final tip.</p> <p>For us, the Storm are easily the more appealing of the two teams at the moment, with the only bright side for the Bunnies at the moment, the form of veteran winger Alex Johnston.</p> <p>The Rabbitohs flyer has officially crossed the 200 try mark in the NRL and is rapidly approaching Ken Irvine’s all-time record. Look to him to take another step towards becoming the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/most-nrl-tries">greatest try scorer in NRL history</a> this weekend.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-v-melbourne-storm-9304825">Melbourne Storm.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Alex Johnston anytime try scorer.</p>

<h2>Brisbane Broncos vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, June 22, 2:00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Sharks are in the sweet spot of currently being a top team with no Origin representation.</p> <p>The same can’t be said for the Broncos in either regard at the moment. They'll have a number of players in the Origin arena and outside of a big win over the lowly Titans, haven’t resembled much of a threat for some time now.</p> <p>Suncorp Stadium is always a factor, still we’re taking the Sharks here in a close one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/brisbane-broncos-v-cronulla-sharks-9304826">Cronulla Sharks.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Braydon Trindall anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, June 22, 4:05pm AEST – Allianz Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cowboys will be hoping their Origin stars are in good enough condition to make the flight from Perth to Sydney for this one, because they showed last week just how they get on without them.</p> <p>Without the services of Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson last week, the Cows were towelled up 58-4 by the Dolphins. At home no less.</p> <p>Even if they do all backup, after a performance like that we are putting them in the ‘untippable’ category.</p> <p>Their opponents the Chooks have also recently come home to roost in the eight after winning last week, giving us all the more incentive to steer clear of the North Queenslander.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/sydney-roosters-v-nth-queensland-cowboys-9304840">Sydney Roosters.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Mark Nawaqanitawase first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, June 22, 6:15pm AEST – CommBank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of NRL round 16 is a good old-fashioned battle of the basement. Wooden spooners-elect Parramatta and the Gold Coast will duke it out at CommBank Stadium as both sides scramble to avoid that dreaded kitchen utensil.</p> <p>The Eels and NSW have been dealt a major blow with Mitchell Moses suffering yet another injury this season.</p> <p>We all know how the Eels fare without their million-dollar man and the Titans are coming off a rare win, impressively seeing off the Sea Eagles 28-8 last time out.</p> <p>All things considered, the omission of Moses has proved to be something the Eels seem unable to deal with time and time again, so we’re taking the Titans in what should be an absolute scrap.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/parramatta-eels-v-gold-coast-titans-9304842">Gold Coast Titans.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canterbury Bulldogs, St George Illawarra Dragons, Manly Sea Eagles – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>With Origin on the cards this week, there are three teams who get a week off. The Bulldogs, Dragons and Sea Eagles will all be treated to a bye in NRL round 16.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>