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NRL Tipping: Round 8 - What the experts are saying

A pair of games involving intriguing coaching match-ups and a couple more featuring teams that are difficult to work out headline round eight of the NRL season.

Anthony Seibold and Wayne Bennett will coach against the sides they left at the end of 2018 when the Rabbitohs meet the Broncos on Thursday night while Des Hasler will send Manly into battle against former club Canterbury.

In the hard to fathom department, picking winners in the Cowboys-Titans and Warriors-Knights matches is sure to test the skill of all tipsters.

Before you enter your tips for Round 8, see who the NRL.com experts are tipping and read Brett Kimmorley's previews.

The NRL Tipping Streak competition kicks off this round. Tip a winner each round and keep your streak alive, with $500 up for grabs for the winner. Start tipping now

Round 8 tips and previews

Rabbitohs v Broncos, Thursday, 7.50pm, ANZ Stadium

Brett Kimmorley says: Former coaches against former clubs. The build-up will be great. Adam Reynolds was first class for Souths last week. As for Brisbane, they displayed the form last week that we know they are capable of. Their forwards got momentum and Anthony Milford played off the back of that. But I still have questions over their ability to win in the arm wrestle. Rabbitohs by 2

Cowboys v Titans, Friday 6pm, 1300Smiles Stadium

Brett Kimmorley says: What is going on the with the Cowboys? Paul Green made a comment last week saying his players were playing their way out of Origin contention. I think the coach needs to coach them back into Origin form. To me, that doesn't look like a "we're all in this together" attitude. The Titans led so well last week and then got blown off the park. Can the Titans bounce back? Titans by 6

Sharks v Storm, Friday, 7.55pm, PointsBet Stadium

Brett Kimmorley says: What Melbourne continue to do is they don't beat themselves. They win close games even when not attacking great. I think I saw more passes hit the ground last week than I sometimes see in a whole season. Unfortunately for Cronulla, their injury dramas are going from bad to worse. Their young players will get an opportunity, it is about digging in and showing the character of the club. Storm by 4

Raiders v Panthers, McDonalds Park, Saturday, 3pm

Brett Kimmorley says: Last week was the best Penrith have played in 2019. Viliame Kikau is such a force on the left edge. If they repeat that they'll have more wins than losses over the rest of the season. They are good signs. The Raiders will be kicking themselves over their loss last week against a side with no Tom Trbojevic and DCE missing for a large part of the second half. Ricky won't be too happy with that loss and his team will want to respond. Raiders by 8

Raiders v Panthers - Round 8

Sea Eagles v Bulldogs, Saturday, 5.30pm, Lottoland

Brett Kimmorley says: The Dogs will be thinking they're a chance. If I'm a Canterbury player I'm skipping into this game with a spring of confidence. If they can play that flat, fast, over-the-advantage-line style of play again they'll be hard to beat. For Manly, Des is getting the best out of a roster we thought would struggle. But being so down on troops, it might be too hard for them. Bulldogs by 4

Roosters v Wests Tigers, Saturday, 7.35pm, SCG

Brett Kimmorley says: I liked the Wests Tigers playing Ryan Matterson at five-eighth last week. I think that style of football suits the side. With Luke Brooks and Robbie Farah running the show as the key playmakers, they don't need three or four playmakers in that side. The Roosters are the benchmark, they should be favourites. They continue to show different styles of attack. Their defence hasn't been great, but that'll get fixed. Roosters by 8

Rabbitohs v Broncos - Round 8

Warriors v Knights, Sunday, Mt Smart Stadium, 4pm (2pm AEST)

Brett Kimmorley says: Newcastle were great against Parramatta. They were challenged and responded. Their three best were Pearce, Ponga and Klemmer. That trio can win games for them every week. It's hard to say why can't we have that every week. For the Warriors, their inability to close out close games is hurting them. If they can play as good as they did against the Storm, they should win. Now it’s a matter of whether Stephen Kearney can do that. Warriors by 2

Eels v Dragons, Sunday, 4pm, Bankwest Stadium

Brett Kimmorley says: The Dragons lost last week, but they've found their niche. Parramatta were really disappointing against Newcastle. This will be a good game. Key halves that have got better at managing situations and forward packs that are going to rip in. I think Parramatta will be a bit angrier after what happened last week. This is a test for Parramatta. Eels by 1

 

The NRL Tipping Streak competition kicks off this round. Tip a winner each round and keep your streak alive, with $500 up for grabs for the winner. Start tipping now

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