<p>As it enters the final week of its regular season, the NRL has a new competition leader.</p>
<p>Yes, the Brisbane Broncos have timed their run to perfection and with one game to go find themselves top of the pile.</p>
<p>Only the Melbourne Storm currently stand between them and the minor premiership, can they seal the deal? Or will there be one more twist in the tale?</p>
<p>Elsewhere, a new title contender has emerged in the Hunter Valley and two of the NRL’s fiercest rivals are set to do battle this week for a place in the finals.</p>
<p>As the curtain comes down on the regular season, make sure to check out our expert NRL round 27 tips and predictions.</p>
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<h2>Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm Prediction</h2>
<p><em><strong>Thursday, August 31, 7:50pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p>
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<p>The table-topping <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/brisbane-broncos-v-melbourne-storm-7592560">Broncos welcome the Melbourne Storm to Suncorp Stadium</a> to kick off the final round of the season.</p>
<p>A win here will see the Broncos finish first, whereas the highest the Storm can finish is third, providing the Warriors lose to the Dolphins.</p>
<p>The result of this one will largely hinge on who gets rested ahead of the finals. The minor premiership may be too much for Kevin Walters to resist and he may well wheel out his strongest 17.</p>
<p>Craig Bellamy is the more likely of the two to rest his stars in this one as no matter the result here, it is impossible for the Storm to finish outside of the top four.</p>
<p>This, coupled with the fact it’s at Suncorp and that the Broncos are playing for a trophy, makes the Brissy boys the obvious tips in this one.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar’s final thoughts: </strong>The Pap is back and isn’t it great! We should expect to see far bigger minutes from him this time around. For all those who may have forgotten - Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored 28 tries from his last 28 NRL Games.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar’s tip: </strong>Ryan Papenhuyzen Anytime Tryscorer</p>
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<h2>Manly Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers Prediction</h2>
<p><em><strong>Friday, September 1, 6:00pm AEST – Brookvale Oval</strong></em></p>
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<p>The Wests Tigers will get one last chance to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon when <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-v-wests-tigers-7592575">they face Manly at Brookvale Oval</a>.</p>
<p>They will need about a 70-point swing between them and the Dragons however to pull this off, so it looks as though they are destined to become the first (and only) team in NRL history to finish 16th one year and 17th the next.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s not all the time you finish dead last and then somehow get worse the next season, but thanks to the inclusion of the Dolphins in 2023, that’s what is about to happen to the Tigers.</p>
<p>As for the result of this one, Manly will be riding high after their attacking masterclass against the Bulldogs last week.</p>
<p>While their defence could use some work, we doubt the toothless Tigers will be able to trouble them enough to stop them ending 2023 with a win.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar’s final thoughts: </strong>Just a pure price play here and a throw at the stumps. Saab has a hot hand at the moment with five of his 12 tries this season coming in his last two games.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar’s tip: </strong>Jason Saab three or more tries.</p>
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<h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters Prediction</h2>
<p><em><strong>Friday, September 1, 8:00pm AEST – Accor Stadium</strong></em></p>
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<p>The NRL’s oldest rivals <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-v-sydney-roosters-7592578">the Rabbitohs and the Roosters</a> do battle on Friday night in what is easily the match of the round.</p>
<p>The result of this one will effectively decide who finishes eighth and plays finals, assuming North Queensland lose to Penrith.</p>
<p>There are always fireworks when these two foundation clubs meet, let alone when there is this much at stake.</p>
<p>In terms of the form guide, the Roosters are the ones with all the running. They’ve won five out of their last six to somehow remain in the fight, despite being unanimously written off.</p>
<p>The Bunnies were free falling before their bye last week and with Latrell Mitchell suspended for this one, we are backing the Tri-colours to get the best of their arch-rivals and seal the most unlikely of finals berths.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar’s final thoughts: </strong>After doing my homework this week it has become glaringly obvious that the Bunnies are having major problems defensively on their right hand side. In the last three weeks alone, they have conceded nine tries on that side and many of them were like a hot knife through butter. </p>
<p><strong>Sugar's tip: </strong>Daniel Tupou two or more tries.</p>
<h2>The Dolphins v New Zealand Warriors Prediction</h2>
<p><em><strong>Saturday, September 2, 3:00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p>
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<p>The Dolphins conclude their inaugural campaign in the NRL on Saturday afternoon <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/dolphins-v-new-zealand-warriors-7592583">when they welcome the Warriors to Suncorp Stadium.</a></p>
<p>The Phins have done well to stay off the foot of their ladder in their first season in NRL, despite many pundits predicting them to come dead last.</p>
<p>They are sure to go on to bigger and better things next season with more signings under their belt, even though they ended this campaign with a whimper. </p>
<p>Obviously, we are tipping the high-flying Warriors in this one, but the main storyline here is the battle between a couple of free scoring wingers.</p>
<p>Both Jamayne Issako and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak are vying for the Ken Irvine Medal this season, with Issako leading the way with 23 tries, while DWZ is snapping at his heels on 21.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar’s final thoughts: </strong>The Warriors win wasn’t pretty last week. Whilst they have a Top four finals spot locked and loaded, coach Webster will still want to see improvement. There are also many ‘Wahs’ players who will be fighting for a spot in the 17 next week to play finals and will be looking to have big games. </p>
<p>For the Dolphins, Jamayne Isaako is looking to be the first player to secure the Top Try Scorer/Top Points Scorer double since Mal Meninga in 1990. It’s a huge feat if he can achieve it, so he will be hunting for points all game. </p>
<p><strong>Sugar's tip: </strong>SGM - Warriors H2H & Isaako Anytime Tryscorer</p>
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<h2>Penrith Panthers v North Queensland Cowboys Prediction</h2>
<p><em><strong>Saturday, September 2, 5:30pm AEST – Penrith Stadium</strong></em></p>
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<p>Life comes at you quick in the NRL, just ask the Penrith Panthers. They lost top spot, their premiership favouritism and their five-eighth all in the space of 80 horrific minutes against western rivals Parramatta last week. </p>
<p>They were ambushed by an Eels side playing only for pride last time out, in stunning scenes. <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/penrith-panthers-v-nth-queensland-cowboys-7592585">Now they must turn their attention to North Queensland</a>, with the minor premiership still within their reach if Melbourne defeats Brisbane.</p>
<p>If they are to steal back top spot it will have to be without Origin representative Jarome Luai who dislocated his shoulder in their loss to the Eels and is set to miss the rest of the season.</p>
<p>While they should still have enough quality to take care of the Cowboys who haven’t travelled all that well this year, their hopes of a famous three-peat have taken a significant blow.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar’s final thoughts: </strong>These teams met in Round 16 where the Cowboys escaped 27-23 against an understrength Panthers’ team. There are many similarities in this one with the matchup of the teams on paper. </p>
<p>The Cowboys have it all to play for, while the Panthers (despite resting a number of their stars) will be desperate to repay the home faithful after their worst home performance in some time last week.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar's tip: </strong>Tribet – Either side to win by six points or less.</p>
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<h2>St George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2>
<p><em><strong>Saturday, September 2, 7:35pm AEST – Jubilee Stadium</strong></em></p>
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<p>The Knights successfully secured their date with eight wins straight, now <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-v-newcastle-knights-7592599">they’ll go hunting for nine in a line against the Dragons at Jubilee Stadium</a>.</p>
<p>There’s no two ways about it, Newcastle are genuine premiership contenders now after pulling into fifth on the ladder.</p>
<p>Kalyn Ponga is rivalling fellow fullback Reece Walsh as the form player of the competition and providing the AC joint injury he picked up against the Sharks isn’t serious, is set to light up the NRL finals series.</p>
<p>That being said, he will most likely be rested for this game, but with more momentum than a runaway train on their side, we are backing them to breeze past a Dragons’ side who can still finish dead last if results go against them.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar’s final thoughts: </strong>I’m expecting a massive game from Lachie Miller this week. He was told he was free to negotiate with other clubs and has since signed on to play in the Super League in England. This may be his last game in the NRL, so he will be highly motivated. </p>
<p>As for the Dragons, whilst the season has slipped away from them, they certainly haven’t given up. In their last five matches they have covered the line on each occasion.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar's tip: </strong>SGM - Dragons to cover the line & Lachie Miller Anytime Tryscorer.</p>
<h2>Gold Coast Titans v Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction</h2>
<p><em><strong>Sunday, September 3, 2:00pm AEST – Robina Stadium</strong></em></p>
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<p>A game of little to no consequence starts Sunday’s action when <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-v-newcastle-knights-7592599">the Titans take on the Bulldogs at Robina Stadium</a>.</p>
<p>Both of these sides have once again underwhelmed, leaving their fans scratching their heads pondering what could have been.</p>
<p>Neither side is short on talent, but for one reason or another it just hasn’t worked out for the Titans and Bulldogs this season.</p>
<p>This game is a chance for both sides to take stock ahead of what is sure to be a long offseason. As for the result, we think it will be the home side who are the happier of the two come full-time.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar’s final thoughts: </strong>A pure price play here. The Titans right side defence has been a wreck all year. Last week Xavier Coates claimed a hattrick and there’s no reason why the Foxx can’t achieve the same. </p>
<p>Could be a real loosey goosey affair this one as both teams have nothing to play for and will want to put on a show with nothing to lose - defence will not be the priority. </p>
<p><strong>Sugar's tip: </strong>Josh Addo-Carr three or more tries.</p>
<h2>Cronulla Sharks v Canberra Raiders Prediction</h2>
<p><em><strong>Sunday, September 3, 4:05pm AEST – Shark Park</strong></em></p>
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<p>Wrapping up round 27 and the NRL regular season are <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/cronulla-sharks-v-canberra-raiders-7594182">the Cronulla Sharks and the Canberra Raiders.</a></p>
<p>Side-by-side on the ladder, this game will decide who gets a home final, so we expect both sides to rip in.</p>
<p>The Raiders are in disarray in terms of personnel with Corey Horsburgh and Jordan Rapana both facing bans.</p>
<p>Sharks’ superstar Nicho Hynes was a late scratching before his side’s loss to Newcastle last week and provided he is fit for this one, we are backing them to get the best of an undermanned and inconsistent Raiders side.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar’s final thoughts: </strong>The Raiders Achilles heel right now is their left hand side In defence. Tries have been getting scored there on a regular basis and many of those with great ease. </p>
<p>It was a procession there last week with the Broncos - Cobbo got three while Walsh and Staggs also cashed in on that side. Before that the Storm killed them there and even the Bulldogs attacked there with great profit.</p>
<p><strong>Sugar's tip: </strong>Sione Katoa two or more tries.</p>
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<h2>Parramatta Eels – BYE</h2>
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<p>The Eels get to celebrate Mad Monday a week earlier than the other teams who also won’t be playing in the finals thanks to the bye. </p>
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