NRL Round 19 Tips & Predictions

<p>The dust has now settled on one of the craziest rounds in recent memory.</p> <p>Last week saw blowouts, blowouts, and more blowouts. When a side loses 66-0, and it’s not the biggest loss of the round, you know it wasn’t your standard round of footy.</p> <p>This week the competition will operate on a reduced schedule due to the final major bye round of the season.</p> <p>That means State of Origin Game 3 is on the horizon, but before then, there’s still plenty of regular season footy to be run and won.</p> <p>Check out our expert NRL round 19 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks Prediction</h2> <p><strong>Thursday, July 6, 7:50 pm AEST – CommBank Stadium</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Tigers fans, you can stop reading now. Seriously though, what on earth was that?</p> <p>Queensland Country Bank Stadium hosted one of the NRL’s great beatdowns last week as the Cowboys beat the toothless Tigers 74-0!</p> <p>After the Tigers put 66 on the Cows earlier in the season, Todd Payten’s men had one thing on their mind – revenge of the highest order.</p> <p>It turns out revenge is a dish best served with 13 tries to none.</p> <p>Wests have to try somehow to bounce back from this record humiliation against a Cronulla side who scored over 50 points last week.</p> <p>The Sharks were superb as they routed cellar dwellers St George and if they attack similarly this week, the scorecard could read anything come full-time.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>Sugars Final Thought</strong></h3> <p>The Tigers had massive pain in QLD last week, but let's not forget they have lost 17 of their last 18 matches in Sydney. The Sharks love beating up on the weaker teams. Kennedy scored a hat trick earlier in the year at this venue, and Mulitalo is 15 tries from 15 games.</p> <p><strong>Sugars Tips: Mulitalo &amp; Kennedy to combine for 3+ Tries</strong></p>

<h2>St George Illawarra Dragons v Canberra Raiders Prediction</h2> <p><strong>Friday, July 7, 8:00 pm AEST – Wollongong Showground</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Things are starting to get rather ugly indeed at the Dragons. The saga surrounding disgruntled star Ben Hunt continues to drag on, as do their lacklustre performances on the field.</p> <p>Their issues both on and off the field, came to a head last week as they were put to the sword by Cronulla 52-16.</p> <p>This week they face a Canberra side who hung on for a vital win against a fast-finishing Titans side.</p> <p>That win sees the Green Machine up to fifth on the ladder as they gather steam at the right time of the season.</p> <p>We’re backing them to pick up another crucial win in their unlikely top-four charge, which less than two months ago seemed impossible.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>Sugars Final Thought</strong></h3> <p>The Dragons left side remains the worst left side defence in the comp and comfortably. They let another five through that side last week, which takes the try toll down that side to a whopping 38 for the year. For context, Penrith has conceded just ten all year on their left. Take your pick from those right-sided Raiders, i.e. Rapana, Timoko &amp; Whitehead.</p> <p><strong>Sugars Tips: Try Scorer Markets - Consider Rapana, Timoko &amp; Whitehead.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Parramatta Eels v New Zealand Warriors Prediction</h2> <p><strong>Saturday, July 8, 5:30 pm AEST – CommBank Stadium</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A well-rested Parramatta plays host to a New Zealand side looking to bounce back from a disappointing showing at home last week.</p> <p>The Warriors were whacked in the wet by an undermanned Rabbitohs’ side in an uncharacteristically sloppy showing last time.</p> <p>The signs of a late-season slump are starting to show for the Warriors, who have exceeded everyone’s expectations up to this point.</p> <p>The Eels were on a five-game winning streak before the bye, and with star half Dylan Brown tipped to return to the starting side, they look good value to make it six on the spin.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>Sugars Final Thought&nbsp;</strong></h3> <p>Maika Sivo celebrates game 100. He hasn't scored in the last two weeks; very rare for him to miss three weeks in a row, so we are due for that 'SIVO' chant to go up again at Commbank. He has 83 tries in his 99 matches so far, but at Commbank, he is 41 tries from just 44 games. Its time.</p> <p><strong>Sugars Tips: Maika Sivo 1st, 2nd or 3rd try</strong></p>

<h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><strong>Saturday, July 8, 7:35 pm AEST – Stadium Australia</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Rabbits were at their brilliant best when they ambushed the Warriors on their own (extremely wet) patch last week.</p> <p>They ran out 28-6 winners, controlling the footy magnificently in the tricky conditions, with young half Lachlan Ilias in particularly fine touch.</p> <p>There was also a nice moment for 18-year-old Tyrone Munro, who scored a try on his debut.</p> <p>This week they’ll be without their Origin stars, but the way the Bulldogs have been going, we’d back the Bunnies U20s to take care of them.</p> <p>The wheels are well and truly off at Belmore, with Cameron Ciraldo’s side going down 66-0 to the Newcastle Knights.</p> <p>While star man Kalyn Ponga put in an inspired display, his exploits were aided by a Doggies defensive line that resembled soggy cardboard.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>Sugars Final Thought</strong></h3> <p>No, this isn't a typo. It's a pure price play. Since Cody Walker debuted in 2016, he has missed just ten games. They lost 8 of those. The two wins had fairly handy players wearing the 6 in his absence - Greg Inglis and Benji Marshall! throw in no Cook, Latrell, Graham, Koloamatagi or Murray; it's just a bet considering the Dogs keep Burton.</p> <p><strong>Sugars Tips: Bulldogs 13+</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Titans v The Dolphins Prediction</h2> <p><strong>Sunday, July 9, 4:05 pm AEST – Robina Stadium</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Rounding out a shortened round 19 is a Queensland derby between the Dolphins and the Titans.</p> <p>Who can forget the last time these two sides met? The Dolphins recorded a record comeback, rallying back from 26-0 at halftime to win 28-26.</p> <p>A lot has changed since then though, with injuries taking their toll on Wayne Bennett’s side, which has seen them slip to 12th on the ladder.</p> <p>Both Jeremy Marshall-King and Felise Kaufusi are in doubt for this one, and if they fail to feature, getting past the Titans at Robina Stadium could be too big of an ask.</p> <p>The Titans were valiant in defeat last week, pushing the Raiders all the way in the nation’s capital, although as has become all too common this season, they couldn’t quite seal the win.</p> <p>This game is an excellent opportunity for them to see out a crucial win, as they are still in the race for the eight.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>Sugars Final Thought</strong></h3> <p>The last time they met, the Titans botched a 26 Nil lead to go down to a brave Dolphins side. This time around, the Titans are without Brimson, Fotuiaka, Fifita and big Tino.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Titans' right side is the worst in the comp, and this talented backrower Lemuelu can easily cash in here.</p> <p><strong>Sugars Tips: Same Game Multi - Dolphins H2H/ Connelly Lemuelu Anytime Tryscorer</strong></p>

<h2>Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys, Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters, Manly Sea Eagles, Melbourne Storm – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>With State of Origin Game 3 coming up, seven teams get the week off in the last major bye round of the season.&nbsp;</p>