SuperCoach NRL: Wilfred Zee’s Fearless Predictions for Round 19
ROBBIE Farah will fire against his old club, while Shaun Johnson will flop without his partners in crime. Former SuperCoach NRL champion Wilfred Zee has his say on round 19.
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LATE MAIL: Round 19 NRL team news
NRL SuperCoach: Copes’ captaincy options
IT seems like when my SuperCoach team goes well, so do my predictions. After a strong six or so weeks where I climbed into the top 200 (peaked at 159th !) – during which I averaged some three or four predictions per week – I’ve gotten three consecutive red arrows in a row to drop to 388th this week. My predictions have suffered accordingly, getting one or two each of those weeks! However, I’ve sat the team down this week, read the riot act to them and put them all on notice. I’m ready to get back on track for a strong finish to the season.
It’s officially the home stretch now, so let’s have a look at Round 19 — presented by hipages.
1. Captain Pick – Damien Cook
I’m going back with a safe option this week – after all, Anthony Seibold has proven to be the one NRL coach who has been fairly consistent and reliable in how he uses his players. I mean, I’m not bitter at all that Paul Green randomly decided to play Taumalolo for just 54 minutes last week, and make Gavin Cooper back up from Origin and play another 80 minutes again. Makes perfect sense doesn’t it! This week, Cook will be relatively fresh compared to last week and is playing the Tigers who are amongst the friendlier teams for opposition hookers to come up against. Throw in the fact that it’s Sutton’s 300th, and the fact that he is facing off against his recent former ‘mentor turned understudy’ in Robbie Farah, and he’ll be up for a big game.
2. Stud of the Week – Robbie Farah
Speaking of which, I expect a massive game from Farah in his 250th game as well. A milestone game up against the only club he has ever played for aside from the Tigers, and against the hooker who took his starting spot! Hollywood couldn’t have scripted it much better and it’s going to be a massive game this week and the highlight will be the hooking battle. Speaking of which, did you realise that Farah has played four games this year for an average of 84.3, with a high score of just 97 and a low score of 64. He’s certainly captaincy material as well if you are chasing a POD option!
3. Flop of the Week – Shaun Johnson
He’s sitting on three and five round averages of 41.0 and 52.4 respectively, and now comes up against one of the best defensive teams in the competition. SJ is still missing his partner in crime in Tohu Harris, and Peta Hiku has been in such bad form that he’s been benched or may even drop out of the squad (and Gerard Beale is just not as threatening in attack). In no way am I saying to bench SJ, as he’s still the premiere half in SuperCoach at the moment (unless you already have say, Nathan Cleary or Mitchell Pearce at halfback, or Anthony Milford or Cody Walker at five eighth as alternative back-up POD options), but I’d be very wary of putting the Captaincy armband on him.
4. The SuperCoach Gold Mine
It was a highscoring round but unfortunately a dominant Warriors shut down the Broncos and also shut down the majority of their SuperCoach scorers too. Another rough pick from me unfortunately! This week, I have a feeling it’s going to be a highscoring game between the Sea Eagles and the Roosters – both teams with all their Origin players back, and plenty of SuperCoach talent in both rosters too. Throw in the fact that it’s a Sunday afternoon game, and I think that both teams could put some points on the board. As someone who doesn’t own Tedesco or either of the Trbojevic brothers, I am extremely nervous for the last game in the round!
5. Upset of the Round – the Warriors
Tipping against the Storm is crazy, but the Warriors are a different story this year. The Warriors have one of the better win records against the Storm (almost 40%) which a lot can be put down to the unpredictable nature of the Warriors’ playstyle. Is that really the 2018 Warriors though? I don’t know, but I do know that the Warriors were seriously impressive as they destroyed the Broncos last week, and they will be itching to get revenge on the Storm after a flogging earlier this year. If they can dominate the weakened Storm pack still missing two of their first choice forwards, and keep the offloads flowing like they did last week, then I will back the Warriors to sneak home in a tight game in New Zealand.
Bring on Round 19
Seven rounds to go, and no more rep games, byes, and anything else to navigate. So, just injuries, suspensions, match-ups, last minute team changes, restings, and things like that to worry about! Good luck everyone as you choose your 17s this week and may your orange armband fall on the right player!
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