2012 NRL Match Previews - Round 6 (Easter)

Paul's back to preview the Easter weekend of NRL action as Round 6 is upon us...


South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Friday 4:00pm, ANZ Stadium - live updates click here.

A Friday afternoon belter kicks off your Easter weekend in style as the Bunnies host the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. Big games like this bring out the best in the best and look no further than Michael Ennis to be chomping at the bit for his 150th NRL appearance. There are no doubt some players on the Rabbitohs roster who have not heard Ennis sledge his way through 80 minutes so be ready for the incumbent origin hooker to remedy that.

In other news, there is an actual game of football being played here and it will be the match of the round. A true rivalry as these storied clubs play against each other for the 143rd time and there will be no love lost. The edge goes to the 'Dogs with Frank Pritchard and Josh Reynolds the standouts. However, all eyes should be focussed directly on the opposing fullbacks as Ben Barba and Greg Inglis re-define the position altogether.

My tip:
Canterbury 24-20



Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos
Friday 7:30pm, Allianz Stadium - live updates click here.

Not much left to be said about the Tigers as footy fans continue to wait for the preseason premiership favourites to make their inevitable run. I'm done waiting and no doubt League Unlimited readers are done hearing about so-called wretched performances and disappointed fans. So let's talk Broncos instead: A five/eighth that is coming-of-age quicker than expected and a hooker coming off his best performance in first grade.

Corey Norman and Andrew McCullough might be the early surprises for some, but when it comes to the Broncos, their forward pack is delivering no surprises. Matt Gillett is everyone's tip as a future megastar and Alex Glenn looks like a young Bradley Clyde mixed with an old Ruben Wiki. So, before I sign off as president of the Broncos fan club, the Tigers may fight hard with their backs against the wall but it won't matter.

My tip:
Brisbane 22-14



Gold Coast Titans v Sydney Roosters
Saturday 5:30pm, Skilled Park - live updates click here.

The only joy coming out of the Gold Coast at this point is the performance of Nate Myles. Not only for the Titan's themselves, but also for my NRL fantasy team. He continues to perform admirably under what must be difficult circumstances. The boys from Robina have injury problems now, to add the list, and won't find things any easier as the 3 and 2 Roosters come to town but this is where Nate will find an extra gear.

Playing against his former club and specifically, the former teammates who decided to axe him from the squad in 2011, Myles will turn up to Skilled Park on Saturday afternoon as a man possessed. Let's hope the fans turn up as well because this game will have a little extra niggle. The Roosters have an edge according the bookies and on paper, the bookies would be right but this is where the Titans find their resolve and follow the lead of their Queensland Origin second rower. Upset.

My tip:
Gold Coast 24-18



Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons
Saturday 7:30pm, Toyota Stadium - live updates click here.

Local derby