NRL Round 14 previews: Experts analyse the head-to-head match-ups

North Queensland Cowboys v St George Illawarra Dragons, 7.55pm Friday, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Townsville has become one of the harder road trips in the game once more now the Cowboys are riding high on the NRL ladder.

They have banked nine wins already this season and that should be 10 when they host St George Illawarra to start round 14. Who lines up after Origin remains to be seen but that shouldn’t have too much of an impact on proceedings; the Cowboys have reasonable depth across both their pack and the back line. The Dragons have come off two soft wins over the Warriors and Bulldogs but this will be a much tougher assignment. Cowboys by 14.
Phil Lutton

Gold Coast Titans v South Sydney Rabbitohs, 3pm Saturday, Cbus Super Stadium
No Latrell Mitchell again for the Rabbitohs, with the star fullback suffering from COVID and unavailable to play at Robina. He had been in line to take part after a long stint out with a hamstring injury. Luckily for Souths, they could probably deploy their second-string side and be a show against the Titans, who have been the undoubted flop of the season. They look completely lost and now have fullback Jayden Campbell out with a long-term hamstring issue of his own. If Tino Fa’asuamaleaui isn’t able to back up from Origin, they will be in huge trouble. Let’s be honest, they are probably losing this one anyway. Souths by 18.
Phil Lutton

Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm, 5.30pm Saturday, Sydney Cricket Ground
The Roosters risk dropping out of the top eight in the coming weeks with a shocking run of games, starting with Melbourne, followed by Parramatta and Penrith. The Storm will lose Xavier Coates (ankle) after Origin I, but Harry Grant and Cameron Munster both declared in the sheds they are keen to back up. James Tedesco got through a mountain of work in the second half against Queensland and could yet be rested, while Lindsay Collins also left nothing in the tank for the Maroons, and will need to lead the way without the injured Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Expect Munster to have another night out. Storm by 10
Christian Nicolussi

Brisbane Broncos v Canberra Raiders, 7.35pm Saturday, Suncorp Stadium
Adam Reynolds is set to make his return from a hamstring injury in a massive boost for a Broncos outfit that has already won more games than they did last year. State of Origin quartet Payne Haas, Kotoni Staggs, Selwyn Cobbo and Pat Carrigan have all been named to back up following Wednesday night’s clash with Kurt Capewell given a spell. The Raiders will turn to James Schiller to cover for suspended winger Jordan Rapana. The Raiders are turning a corner but Brisbane will be tough to beat at home, with Reynolds set to play a starring role. Broncos by 12.
Caden Helmers

Wests Tigers v Manly Sea Eagles, 2pm Sunday, Campbelltown Sports Stadium
It’s been some week at Concord. Sunday marks Brett Kimmorley’s first game in charge of the Wests Tigers after the club parted ways with Michael Maguire on Tuesday. David Nofoaluma returns on the wing and Jacob Liddle is back at hooker, but you have to wonder whether that’s enough to counter the upheaval at club headquarters. Manly come in red-hot after tearing the Warriors to shreds last week, and they’ll be boosted by the return of halfback Daly Cherry-Evans following representative duties. The Tigers need caretaker coach “Noddy” to inspire something special. Sea Eagles by 16.
Caden Helmers

Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers, 4.05pm Sunday, McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle might need a minor miracle this week. The Panthers welcome six NSW Blues back into the fold for a trip to Newcastle, which is hardly the imposing road trip it once was given the Knights have been outscored 159 to 48 on home soil this season. Kalyn Ponga was impressive for the Maroons on Wednesday night, and the Knights will be hoping for more of the same. Jacob Saifiti was included in Blues camp and has a chance to show why in a head-to-head battle with James Fisher-Harris. Should Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o and Jarome Luai all back up, expect Penrith to win well. Panthers by 16.
Caden Helmers

New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla Sharks, 6.15pm Sunday, Moreton Daily Stadium
A rare match post-State of Origin in which both teams didn’t have a single player take the field for NSW or Queensland. Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes will return to Sharks camp after being 18th man for the Blues, and the Warriors will start life under caretaker coach Stacey Jones hoping to arrest a five-game losing run. Ironically, that streak when the Sharks scored arguably the win of the season, beating the Warriors after playing for more than an hour with 12 men and being down to 11 at one stage. Jesse Ramien (suspension) and Wade Graham (injury) are back for the Sharks, with the latter only named among the reserves. The Sharks have won nine of their past 11 against the Warriors. Sharks by 16.
Adam Pengilly