Benji Marshall's selection into the Kiwi test squad will be monitored as he takes on the Cowboys

This week, I have found myself in a position I’ve never been in before - dead last in a rugby league tipping competition. I was at rock bottom. I found that I had no confidence. I did some soul searching, watched the video and went looking for answers. The conclusions I came to were not nice. I realised I was overconfident. I hadn’t been doing the work off the paddock like in previous years. I thought I could do it on raw ability alone and expected my big match experience to give me what I needed when it mattered, showing my status as one of the games premiere tippers.

I realised that I was no different to half a dozen NRL clubs. Teams that weren’t fancied to do a thing this year have shown true grit. There’s been plenty of drive and team harmony shown by the teams at the pointy end of the NRL. They may not be the best side on paper, they may not be in line for representative honours as individuals, but when it comes to the crunch, they have self-belief and stand up to be counted as a team. A new combination is not the reason for failure. Canberra has two new playmakers. Cronulla, Manly and the Wests Tigers all have new men to go to as well. As with most things, it comes down to the simple stuff. Clubs that are blaming new staff should start completing sets with simple calculation and see what happens to their final score lines. Or see what Canberra has done with a new half and five-eighth.

Bulldogs v Roosters
Any time these teams have clashed in recent times signalled a blockbuster of Ben Hur-like proportions. But this encounter is between two teams struggling for form. The Roosters aren’t controlling the football and are lacking the ability to make the big plays down the stretch. Three losses in a row has been the result. The Bulldogs have seen their biggest asset sidelined with an ankle injury. Top that off with a bout of the mumps running through the club and their two origin forwards both out with injury. Only the bye saved the club from a potential fourth loss on the trot. Mark O’Meley and Rennie Maitua return for the ‘Dogs while Michael Crocker sat out last weekend to be right for this week. Sonny-Bill Williams’ absence has generally signalled an inability for Canterbury to score points and that might be the only saving grace for Sydney. Prediction: Roosters by 12

Rabbitohs v Panthers
Souths are two weeks too late. Penrith found the form they have been searching for in blasting past Melbourne last week. Although some aid was given by referee Steve Clark, the Panthers did what they have been threatening for weeks. And while the Bunnies are travelling better as a unit than they have in a long while, they couldn’t match Penrith’s performance of last week. Not even injuries to key back rowers Joe Galuvao and Frank Puletua can stop the juggernaut. Frank Pritchard was an outstanding fill in for Galuvao last week and may make it difficult for one of the Kiwi internationals to return straight into the top grade. Souths will go close, but not close enough. Prediction: Panthers by 8.

Storm v Eels
It’s déjà vu for Eels who suddenly find themselves entrenched at the foot of the ladder with a leaky defence. While scoring points is fine, being able to stop them is the key to victory. There will be a fire in the belly of Brian Smith’s boys when they trudge onto Olympic Park, but their opponents will simply have more to play for. Melbourne was battered by Steve Clark and his team last week and while beaten, will be determined to make up for it this week. Olympic Park is a stronghold for the Storm who will still need to be on song to hold out what should be a determined Blue and Gold assault. But if they race away to an early lead, expect the Eels to fold like a poorly built house of cards. Prediction: Storm by 7.

Cowboys v Tigers
Form being your guide, how can you split the sides meeting at Dairy Farmers on Saturday night? The Tigers have won their two away games this season taking out last season’s grand finalists. The Cowboys have won both games at home, once against last year’s premiers and the other opposite a side led by the world’s best player. Benji Marshall and Scott Prince have not lost a game while both on the paddock, but it’s hard to see this trend continuing indefinitely. Though not through lack of trying. North Queensland has the asset of 20,000 delirious fans screaming them on, along with the stifling humidity that is so constant in the Far North. This will be a close battle that could simply be of attrition. Prediction: Cowboys by 7.

Sea Eagles v Raiders
Seven weeks ago, I would have laughed had you told me this would be a top of the table clash. Both sides have what is essentially a backline of cast-offs. But one man’s cast-off is another man’s prize possession. The obvious disparity in the sides seems the forward pack. Ben Kennedy, Brent Kite and Steve Menzies have all represented NSW. Anthony Watmough has shown future representative potential. Canberra has Simon Woolford and Jason Croker leading by example, but has still yet to meet a team who is at the top of form. And Brookvale Oval is certainly no easy place to play. Watch Scott Donald’s amazing try scoring run continue too. Prediction: Sea Eagles by 12.

Knights v Warriors
Fairytales. They have been the cornerstone on which the Newcastle franchise has been constructed. Underdogs in both their grand final wins, fairytales and Newcastle go together. And it will take a fairytale to get the Knights over the line when they return to the newly re-opened EnergyAustralia Stadium. Unfortunately, it will take more than the opening of a new grandstand to get the Novocastrians across the line. The experienced Warriors forwards should contain the Knights in defence while the youthful Newcastle backline might struggle to keep hold of their opposites when New Zealand raid. It could be an ugly dedication for the new stand ... unless Danny Buderus plays. Prediction: Warriors by 16.

Dragons v Broncos
An intriguing match up concludes round six when the Broncos travel to WIN Stadium to meet St George-Illawarra. The Dragons, unbelievably, are at full strength. Depending on which teams turn up on the night, this could be the game of the season. The Broncos have been Jekyll and Hyde over the last couple of weeks. The Dragons after being under siege had a great win over the previously undefeated Sea Eagles. Take the home ground advantage here. Prediction: Dragons by 7.

As my previous predictions have proved, expect the unexpected. Most matches this week have the potential to go either way and late inclusions may turn the tide.

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source: MasterTips