NRL Round 27 – Preview

Melbourne Storm winger Xavier Coates is having a career-best season at the club which has seen him score 19 tries in 18 appearances.

Making his long-awaited return from injury, Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has dominated the Broncos in recent seasons which has seen him score 12 tries in 12 matches against them.

In his last 11 matches against the New Zealand Warriors, Tom Trbojevic holds a 100 per cent strike rate with 11 tries.

In his last three matches, Warriors centre Adam Pompey has been able to find the try-line with ease, scoring four tries on the right edge of the field.

Two tries away from Ken Irvine’s try-scoring record, it’s hard to go past Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston.

It’s do-or-die for the Roosters this week, a win guarantees them to play finals football while a loss will see the Dolphins move into the top eight.

One of the most underrated players in the competition, dummy-half Jacob Liddle, has been in outstanding form and is also not afraid to cross the try-line.

With all their players returning this weekend, it’s hard to go past the Penrith Panthers, who should be able to cruise past their opposition.

Described as a “generational talent”, centre Heamasi Makasini will make his debut this week for the Wests Tigers and will look to pull off a try in his first outing.

After claiming three consecutive wooden spoons, the Wests Tigers will look to end the season on a high this week against the current wooden spooners.

He may have missed a big chunk of the season due to injury, but Cronulla Sharks centre KL Iro has no difficulty in finding the try-line with ten tries in ten matches.

In most matches between the two sides, the score-line normally falls under the total points market with the market hitting the unders in three of the last outings between the two clubs.

It’s do-or-die for the Dolphins this week. Having it all to play for on Sunday, a dominant (and large) victory could see them surpass the Roosters and make the top eight.

While the Canberra Raiders may be resting several players, it provides others the opportunity to stand up in their place…enter debutant and former Under-19s NSW Blues winger Michael Asomua.

In 21 matches this season, Josh Addo-Carr has rekindled his fine form, scoring 16 total tries.

Scoring against the New Zealand Warriors last week, Jack Williams will be eager to go back-to-back and has been one of the stronger performers for the Eels in recent weeks.