NRL Weather Preview: SuperCoach winners and losers with rain set to fall on round one
Round one of the NRL looks set to be heavily affected by wet and windy weather, we take a look at every game of the round and predict the SuperCoach winners and losers.
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Round one of the NRL looks set to be heavily affected by the weather, which could play a huge role in who you decide to start, put in your reserves, and more importantly, who you will captain.
We all know how weather can have a huge influence on NRL games and how they’re played, and as a result, this can have a huge impact on SuperCoach scores.
But we can plan ahead to anticipate which games will be most affected by the weather, in order to figure out what our best SuperCoach options are. For example, If you know ahead of time that it’s going to be pouring with rain during a game, you might want to avoid certain players from that game.
Starting from today onwards, we will be taking a look at the predicted weather forecast before each round, to help you string together your highest scoring team each week.
And you will definitely need it this week, given that rain and possible storms look to be a huge factor in round one, across all games except the season opener in Melbourne.
MELBOURNE STORM VS BRISBANE BRONCOS
Date and time: Thursday 14th March 2019, 7:50pm AEDT
Location: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Conditions: Mostly sunny with some clouds and light winds. Temperature: 18 degrees.
How it will affect the game and SuperCoach: This looks to be the least weather affected game of the round and should make for some good attacking football. I’d expect this to be a great game for backs from both teams, especially the mouth-watering winger match-ups! There will be some wind around which could affect the kicking game and help whoever is running with the wind, but it shouldn’t be too much of a factor.
Winner Prediction: Storm haven’t lost a round one clash since 2001 and I think that streak will continue, with a golden point win to start the season off with a bang. Storm to win by a field goal.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS VS CRONULLA SHARKS
Date and time: Friday 15th March 2019, 6pm AEDT
Location: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Conditions: 90% chance of showers in the morning and afternoon and chance of thunderstorms. Temperature: 22 degrees
How it will affect the game and SuperCoach: From Friday onwards expect to see plenty of rain around the East Coast of NSW, with most games likely to experience some showers. Rain could make this game slower and really take some of the attack out of this game, and make it more of a forwards game, which I think slightly favours Newcastle more. Anyone thinking of captaining the likes of Kalyn Ponga or Shaun Johnson might want to reconsider, but I do like Fifita as a VC option in the rain.
Winner Prediction: While the Sharks thrashed the Knights in their pre-season trial and both their matches last year, the attacking threat of Shaun Johnson and Matt Moylan could go out the window in the rain. Despite that I still think they will have too much for Newcastle, despite the Knights having arguably the better forward pack. Sharks to win by 2 points.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS VS SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Date and time: Friday 15th March 2019, 7:55pm AEDT
Location: Sydney Cricket Ground
Conditions: Cloudy with a 90% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms. Temperature: 21 degrees
How it will affect the game and SuperCoach: Sydney expecting rain over the weekend, which could make this heavyweight clash a real grind, despite being two of the best attacking teams in the competition. The SCG pitch has already been under fire in the lead up to this clash, and it will be interesting to see how it holds up under showers. The rain does mean an increased risk of possible injuries, so fingers crossed nothing huge comes out of this game. I think Damien Cook is the best captaincy option here, and under the predicted conditions would avoid captaining James Tedesco.
Winner Prediction: The Roosters will be looking to go back-to-back in 2019, and a win over Souths here will make a statement to the rest of the competition. But if it rains I’d expect this to be a pretty low scoring game, and I think this suits the South Sydney forward pack here more. Souths by 2 points.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS VS CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Date and time: Saturday 16th March 2019m, 3pm AEDT
Location: Mt Smart Stadium
Conditions: Partly sunny with scattered showers. Temperature: 24 degrees
How it will affect the game and SuperCoach: The weather should be better in New Zealand, with only scattered showers expected throughout the day, and should have mostly cleared up in time for kick off, making for some good attacking football if the teams are up to it. Outside of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and maybe Kerrod Holland, there isn’t too many exciting SuperCoach prospects in this one.
Winner Prediction: I feel like this one could go either way, but I’m leaning towards the Warriors purely because it’s being played in New Zealand. It will be interesting to see how they will go without Shaun Johnson and Isaac Luke. Warriors by 6
WESTS TIGERS VS MANLY SEA EAGLES
Date and time: Saturday 16th March 2019, 5:30pm AEDT
Location: Leichhardt Oval
Conditions: Cloudy with an 80% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms. Temperature: 24 degrees
How it will affect the game and SuperCoach: Another likely rain affected game in Sydney this weekend, which could really take some attack out of the game. There aren’t too many exciting SuperCoach prospects outside of forwards, and the wet weather should actually be good for Manly forwards Marty Taupau and Jake Trbojevic, who are both solid captain choices this week.
Winner Prediction: My Sea Eagles will be without star fullback Tom Trbojevic, and although Des Hasler is back at the helm, I’m not sure they will have enough to beat Wests Tigers. The home team are without Moses Mbye and David Nofoaluma, but that Manly backline doesn’t instil much confidence in me. Tigers by 10.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Date and time: Saturday 16th March 2019, 7:35pm AEDT
Location: 1300SMILES Stadium
Conditions: 30% chance of rain (mostly during the morning), Temperature: 28 degrees
How it will affect the game and SuperCoach: Showers will have hopefully cleared before kick-off which should open this game up a bit and allow for some free flowing football, but rain could still be a factor. This has the potential to be a pretty high scoring game, and I think Jason Taumalolo is a good captain option regardless or the weather.
Winner Prediction: The Cowboys don’t leave Queensland until round six, and they’ll be looking for some strong wins over this time to start 2019 on a good note. JT is gone, but I think Michael Morgan will thrive as the chief playmaker, with a great forward pack setting the platform. Cowboys by 2.
PENRITH PANTHERS VS PARRAMATTA EELS
Date and time: Sunday 17th March 2019, 4:05pm AEDT
Location: Panthers Stadium
Conditions: Cloudy with a 70% chance of showers. Temperature: 23 degrees
How it will affect the game and SuperCoach: Showers are mostly expected in the morning, and the weather could have cleared up somewhat in time for kick-off. While on paper you would expect the Panthers to be comfortable favourites here, the chance of rain could actually play into the Eels hands, possibly taking out the Penrith backline out of the game somewhat. Like the other weather affected games this weekend, the rain will likely make this more of a battle of the forwards, so I may avoid people like Nathan Cleary for captaincy, but Nathan Brown could potentially be a good option if you have him.
Winner Prediction: Panthers to flex their premiership muscles early in the season with a strong win over a wooden spoon favourite. Panthers by 12.
GOLD COAST TITANS VS CANBERRA RAIDERS
Date and time: Sunday 17th March 2019, 6:10pm AEDT
Location: Cbus Super Stadium
Conditions: 60-70% for showers or storm. Temperature: 25 degrees
How it will affect the game and SuperCoach: Unfortunately the weather could once again dampen what could otherwise be a very entertaining game of footy. While the rain could see less points scored, it could very much help someone like Josh Hodgson rack up some more base points and become a captaincy option if you have him, although Damien Cook is probably better. I also really like Jai Arrow and Josh Papalii in this one, who should get plenty of work!
Winner Prediction: This game may not look exciting on paper, but I think this could be the most entertaining game of the round if the inclement weather stays away. Despite their best efforts to let this one get away, I’m tipping the Raiders to get a tight win in a high scoring match. Raiders by 2.
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