5 Things to Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in NRL Round 10

Fans will flock to Suncorp Stadium in Round 10 for a three-day festival fit for the most fanatical of rugby league fans, who will be treated with a platter of gripping contests featuring the game’s brightest stars. Here are 5 Things to Watch in Round 10.

Knights, Dogs look to climb up the ladder

It seems a little early to coin this one a “Spoon Bowl” but it is 15th vs. 16th and both sides will be desperate to jump-start their season at Magic Round. Both the Knights and Dogs are just 1-7 over their past eight and have conceded an average of over 29 per game and over 25 per game respectively across that stretch. Whilst it is only mid-May, it feels like a must-win for both teams; the Knights will be desperate to snap a seven-game losing streak, whilst the Dogs will want to take full advantage of a lighter run after a difficult start to 2022. The Knights are set to welcome back Adam Clune and Mitchell Barnett, whilst the Dogs have included Raymond Faitala-Mariner on the extended bench after complicated injury layoff. Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr has come into some try-scoring form after an adjustment period, whilst Kyle Flanagan has made the halfback spot his own after starting the year in reserve grade. Newcastle, meanwhile, are still without the likes of Tyson Frizell, Jake Clifford, Jayden Brailey, Dane Gagai and Kurt Mann. This clash kicks off Magic Round on Friday evening, with fans flocking to Brisbane for a sporting festival for the ages.

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Warriors look to defy history against Rabbitohs

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have well and truly had the wood on the Warriors in recent times, having won 11 of their past 12 against the Auckland-based club. Many of their recent clashes have been absolute points fests, including their only meeting last season which ended in a 60-22 South Sydney victory. The Rabbitohs have scored 189 points over their past five games against the Warriors, whilst winger Alex Johnston has scored eight tries in his seven appearances against them. Although the Rabbitohs have managed to pile on points against the Warriors in recent times, their defensive work has not been as impressive. In fact, the Rabbitohs have only held the Warriors to single-digits in two of their 37 meetings. History suggests that it will be a high-scoring affair, whilst the Warriors’ edge defence this season suggests that the Rabbitohs’ wingers should be try-scoring chances. The Warriors have conceded 16 tries to wingers this season and even found a way to allow Connor Tracey to cross for a double last week, despite playing with an extra player for close to 65 minutes.

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Top of the table showdown

It’s not every week you get a potential Grand Final preview, especially in front of what is expected to be a full house at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. Melbourne and Penrith have clearly been the best two sides to start this season and were the best two sides over the course of last season, with barely a hiccup between them. Over the past two seasons, the two sides have augmented quite the rivalry; Melbourne got the chocolates in 2020 and Penrith in 2021. Unfortunately, Melbourne will be without Ryan Papenhuyzen after he left their clash on Sunday with hamstring and knee issues, whilst Reimis Smith and Christian Welch are missing with longer-term injuries. Penrith, meanwhile, welcomed back Brian To’o and Moses Leota in their first loss of the season last week against Parramatta. Since the start of 2020, the two have face each other on five occasions – including the 2020 Grand Final and the 2021 Preliminary Final – with Penrith winning three and Melbourne two. Despite their last-start loss, the Panthers enter the game as favourites but beating even an understrength Storm outfit will take a near-perfect performance. Penrith lost the possession battle last week against Parramatta and conceded a handful of uncharacteristic tries in a two-point loss. Melbourne, meanwhile, continued their points avalanche with a 42-6 win over St. George Illawarra. The clash should be a belter regardless of who takes the field.

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May vs. Coates

One of the many tidbits in the Storm vs. Panthers showdown is the battle between two of the game’s brightest young wingers in Penrith’s Taylan May and Melbourne’s Xavier Coates. May is leading the Rookie of the Year race, whilst Coates is all but guaranteed another Queensland Origin jumper. Along with Papenhuyzen, they are the only players in the premiership with at least 10 tries on the season and will likely be neck-and-neck all season long for the Ken Irvine Medal. Coates has the clear size and aerial advantage, whilst May has proved a menace out of yardage for opposing teams. For the season, May is averaging 175 run metres per game, has broken 36 tackles, and made seven line breaks, whilst Coates in averaging 109 run metres per game, has broken 12 tackles, and has made eight line breaks. Both players have scored more tries than games played in 2022 and have enjoyed breakout seasons. Much of the talk in the lead-up to this one will be about Hughes vs. Cleary, Munster vs. Luai, and Olam vs. Crichton, but keep in mind the battle of the flankers down Penrith’s left and Melbourne’s right.

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Roosters tough run begins

The Sydney Roosters are yet to hit their straps and reach the lofty heights many expected them to hit in 2022 and the situation is about to become more difficult. They will face the Parramatta Eels this Sunday afternoon in Brisbane before facing the Panthers, Sharks, Raiders (without their Origin stars), Storm, Eels again and Panthers again in what is an immensely challenging two-month period. They are currently sitting sixth on the competition ladder with five wins from nine games, however, they are yet to yet to beat any of the teams sitting ahead of them and have enjoyed an up-and-down run that has included losses to the Knights, Rabbitohs, Dragons and Bulldogs. This weekend they will welcome back Connor Watson but will be without Sam Verrills and Lindsay Collins as they face a Parramatta side fresh off a huge local derby upset win over Penrith. If the Roosters cannot play themselves into some form over the next two months, they may find themselves on the outside looking in as far as the battle for the top eight goes – a situation few saw coming. Obviously anything can happen but the Roosters find themselves entering what could be a season-defining seven or so weeks.

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