Caveman’s NRL Week 2
Caveman's NRL weekend. NRL best bets, free tips, best bets this weekend for footy betting. Get the NRL best bets today with Caveman's sports betting tips. In-depth analysis, research, and a commitment to long-term betting strategy give you footy tips that are the best tips today in Rugby League. NRL free betting tips and bet prediction for almost every game this season.
Last week was a great first week for members of Black Swan Bets who got sent my premier play of the week in a winning $41.75 SGM. Black Swan Bets Smart Stakes members also had a great week going 3-0-1 on premier plays for a great bankroll boost. This week with more information after round 1 we have a mixture of aggressive and conservative plays which I am giving away FREE on the Caveman blog!! Enjoy the footy, team.
Cheers, Caveman.
Storm @ Eels
Thursday 18th March 2021
Game Breakdown
Both teams got off the mark with good wins in week one. However, there are many issues to address for both teams going forward.
The Storm's biggest problems surround their right-edge defence, where Remis Smith and George Jennings looked out of their depth. Now, with big Maika Sivo thundering at them, this isn't going to get any easier. The Storm will need to put in an 80-minute performance this week after dropping off in the middle of the game last week.
The Eels looked confused at points during their match against the Broncos and were outplayed by last year's wooden spooners in the first half, especially on the flanks. The playmakers and back-rowers side switch will need time to set in as they lacked cohesion in attack.
This game should be played up the middle, with both teams sending their big boys forward early and often. The wingers won't get involved too much with the grunt work and will mainly dot down on the corner posts.
The Eel's right-side defence looked the weaker, so Josh Addo Carr looks the best of the Storm backs to get over the line on Thursday. Addo-Carr has two doubles in his last four matches vs the Eels. (Although The Fox doesn't care about our multis.)
Both Fullbacks looked good last week, but I expect a quieter game from both this week, with the middle of the field not being as open.
SGM; Maika Sivo Try, Josh Addo-Carr To Score 2 Tries $14.25
Knights @ Warriors
Friday 19 March 2021
Game Breakdown
The Warriors were strong through the middle of last week, with the new big men all doing their part in what looks like a formidable middle rotation. Tohu Harris looks deadly at lock and could be a game-breaker once he gets a few more games under his belt there. The Warriors look solid, moving the ball to the right, but they need work when going left.
The Knights were good but not great last week. They did manage to beat a poor Bulldogs outfit thanks to the success of their middle rotation. Jayden Brailey looks excellent when running the ball and will become a threat close to the try line. Daniel Safiti and David Klemmer could be the best set of starting props in the competition.
The Knights left edge to let in a couple of tries to DWZ last week, and this is where I expect the Warriors to try and exploit this week. With Euan Aitken out, David Fusitua should become involved a bit more closer to the goal line.
The Warrior’s right edge was also their weaker side defensively last week. The Knights should have no issue attacking that side with Bradman Best and Mitch Barnett. They look to be a formidable attacking duo this season.
This game looks to be a higher scoring affair with both teams able to move down the field with ease, so look for the total score to go over the total.
SGM; David Fusitu’a Try, Bradman Best Try, Total Points Over 39.5 $8.75
Broncos @ Titans
Friday 19th March 2021
Game Breakdown
The Titans looked sluggish last week but will benefit from the run. The heat wasn't their friend at all (imagine that for the Gold Coast). Their debutants were not the best in the park, but both Tino and Fifita showed promise. Thompson was his usual electrifying for 2-3 plays per game and then a non-factor.
The Broncos look a lot better than they did at any point last season and the Kevin Walters back-to-basics approach looks to be the way to go. The right side flashes excellent potential this season, with Xavier Coates crossing for a first-half double before heading to the hospital.
I can see the Broncos running this one up the middle where the Warriors punished the Titans last week. Anthony Milford should be able to dictate the play to wear down the Titans big guys.
When getting close to the line, Xavier Coates should come back to try scoring contention if healthy, and I could see Milford running one in himself this week. Herbie Farnworth also could be due, especially if Xavier Coates is not 100%.
The Titans heavily favoured moving the ball left last week. However, I expect them to change that up this week to take advantage of Anthony Don and Phillip Sami's impressive try-scoring records against the Broncos.
SGM; Anthony Don Try, Phillip Sami Try, Anthony Milford Try. $27.25
Panthers @ Bulldogs
Saturday 20th March
Game Breakdown
The Panthers looked good but not great in week one, with another week or two needed to get back up to game speed. The left edge looks just as potent as ever in the attack, and each player on that side of the field has a high work rate. The right edge will take a few weeks to build chemistry. The new right-wing/centre duo is being put to the test defensively over the coming rounds.
The Bulldogs look like a team that could have done with another month of the preseason. There is a lot to like with the new unit, but it will take some time for them to start clicking. Don't be surprised if they snap off a winning streak in a month or two once the team begins to gel. The right side attack is the most match-ready. However, they face a tricky assignment this week.
The Panthers left edge gets the better attacking treat this week and will look to take full advantage of that. Brian To'o got on the score sheet against the Dogs last year, and his centre partner managed a double, so I can see Crichton getting in as well.
Watch out for the other wing, and the young Charlie Stains went close a couple of times, and it won't take long for him to get off the mark this season.
SGM; Brian To’o Try, Stephen Crichton Try, Panthers team total Over 28.5. $4.50
Rabbitohs @ Sea Eagles
Saturday 20th March
Game Breakdown
The Roosters created the blueprint last week for how to put a cricket score on the Sea Eagles. The Manly left edge was abysmal defensively, with the Roosters scoring on over 50% of attacks down that edge. There's not a lot Manly will be able to do to stop the Rabbitoh's attack down that flank this week, with the Rabbitohs stronger down that side.
The Rabbitohs didn't look great themselves, mainly down the middle with poor play from the forwards on the whole last week. Fortunately for them, though, the Sea Eagles look to be severely missing Addin Fonua-Blake and are desperate to get Cade Cust into that #9 role.
Alex Johnston will be set up for a field day this week, with Latrell Mitchell and Dane Gagai feeding him the ball. All 3 of these guys look capable of scoring doubles, and the ones that do get them will come down to teammates' generosity.
Reuben Garrick scored Manly's lone try last week and is on the left edge, which is more attacking for the Sea Eagles. If Manly will get on the board this week, there's a good chance it comes through Garrick, who grabbed a double against the Bunnies last year.
SGM; Latrell Mitchell Try, Dane Gagai Try, Alex Johnston 2+ Tries. $23.25
Dragons @ Cowboys
Saturday 20th March
Game Breakdown
Does Todd Payten and the Cowboys realize that the ball has to travel backward when you pass it? There were many flat passes in that game, and they were pinged for a few of them. I expect them to continue to concede weak penalties until they get this sorted. The rotations also need to get fixed up as Taumololo was barely a factor. They could do with an extra big man on the bench instead of running more hookers than Potts Point.
Can I say that the Dragons played better than I expected? I'm not saying they're going to be competitive this season. However, there is a chance they may not end up with the spoon if they keep working on their fundamentals. Cameron McInnes is a massive loss as McCullough is not a like-for-like replacement in the middle. However, the rest of the forward rotation shows promise this season, lead by Paul Vaughn.
This week's left-edge for the Dragons is intriguing, with Jack Bird and speedster Cody Ramsey showing potential last week. The left-centre for the Dragons has scored in the previous three games against the Cowboys, which bodes well for Jack Bird to be able to muscle over.
Matt Dufty was explosive last week, and this looks like a great view of things to come. Dylan Edwards tore apart the Cowboys through the middle of last week, and they are going to be susceptible there until they get their rotations sorted out.
The Dragon's defence was lacking on the fringes last week. I expect the Cowboys to attack those relentlessly when inside the 20. Valentine Holmes had a quiet game last week, and Payten should make sure to get him involved a lot more this week before the chants start for him to move back to fullback.
SGM; Jack Bird Try, Matt Dufty Try, Valentine Holmes Try. $17.75
Tigers @ Roosters
Sunday 21st March
Game Breakdown
The Roosters looked great last week, but everyone’s going to look great against that Manly team. The biggest takeaway apart from the two hat tricks is the missing players for this week in Angus Crichton, Jake Friend, and Adam Keighran to a lesser extent. These outs will affect the Rooster’s cohesion and ability to move through the middle against a strong Tigers’ middle.
The Tigers showed much improvement through the middle of the park last week, and even though they struggled to break the Raider’s stout defence too often, they showed much promise for this season.
Unlike last week where the Roosters kept moving the ball right, this week, the match-up advantage moves to their left side of the field against the Tiger’s right edge. Daniel Tupou should be in the scorers this week, as well as the ever-present Josh Morris.
James Tedesco is a man you can never discount for a try. However, I don’t believe he’s going to be able to run as freely as he did last week, so that I won’t be backing him for multiples this time around.
For the Tigers, the left edge will have the attacking advantage (although not much at that). On that side of the field, the most dangerous man looks to be Luciano Leilua, who has brilliant burst at the line.
SGM; Daniel Tupou Try, Josh Morris Try, Luciano Leilua Try. $20.50
Raiders @ Sharks
Sunday 21st March
Game Breakdown
The Raiders started the season off with an impressive defensive display against a relentless Tigers attack that was ultimately held in check. The Raiders have loads of depth in the forwards, with players to return, and Ryan James is looking as impressive as ever. Jordan Rapana was outstanding in attack and is building a great combination with Curtis Scott.
The Sharks last week struck around the edges where they found their advantage over the Dragons. They will have to continue this tactic this week as attacking the middle at the line will prove difficult against a robust goal-line defence. Jesse Ramien will not suit up for the Sharks in this one.
It’s going to be a tough ask for the Sharks to overcome the Raider’s defence this week. However, if they have any shot, it will have to come from attacking the left edge against Simonson and Kris. Ronaldo Mulitalo has four tries against the Raiders in his last three games against them and will be looking to keep that scoring form going.
The Raiders will look to pound the ball through the middle and then attack with their left edge against Sione Katoa and seven-game newbie Mawene Hiroti. This matchup is excellent news for Jordan Rapana, a confident player who picked up a double last week.
The Raiders have found great success against the Sharks with their halves crossing the line. Last season the Raiders halves combined for six tries against the Sharks and will look to get the running game going again, with Jack Wighton looking the most deadly on his feet last week.
This matchup has been a try-fest over the last few years, with seven of the previous eight games scoring 40 total points or more. With the early season fitness levels still in play, I see this game continuing the trend and hitting the 40 point mark once again.
SGM; Ronaldo Mulitalo Try, Jordan Rapana Try, Alt Total Points Over 38.5. $5.25
