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[Timelord2067]

NRL 2025 - round 12

Bulldogs to beat the Dolphins
Sea Eagles to beat the Eels
Panthers to beat the Knights
Roosters to be beaten by the Sharks
Warriors to beat the Raiders.

The Tigers *should* have won last week-end.  They're getting there, but just not quite yet.

On the Ladder

01 Bulldogs - 20 points
02 Warriors 18 points
03 Raiders - 16 points
04 Storm and Sharks 14 points each

06 Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs 12 points each

08 Cowboys 11 points

09 Broncos, Dragons, Roosters and Tigers 10 points

13 Panthers 09 points
14 Dolphins, Knights, Eels and Titans 08 points each.


This year have been very unpredictable.  I clump the Cowboys in the lower half for the time being, while the top four will probably be Bulldogs, Warriors, Raiders and either the Sharks or the Rabbitohs.  It might be a Sharks Vs Bulldogs GF, or, Warriors and either of Raiders or Rabbitohs.  (it's still anyone's season)


Both the PNG Hunters and now the Perth Bears have been confirmed to join the National comp in the coming years.

[aoluain]

Absolutely, a very unpredictable year so far but its good in one sense in that it gives
other teams a chance to reach the finals and ultimately the Grand Final.

Interesting that you dont give the likes of Storm a chance for GF again this
year and possibly taking the title?

So in the coming years the league will be 19 teams, that will make for a very
busy season.

[Timelord2067]

My money was on the Bulldogs, but my heart was barracking for the Dolphins easily who won 44 - 6 on a rain soaked field in New South Wales where there have been once in 500 year floods north of Sydney.

At the moment, the score is ten all in the second half of the Auckland Vs Canberra match being played in Auckland.

In coming years, there will have to be more games Friday through Monday, or, games every day of the week.

(And Canberra have just inched ahead - the stats are against them not having won in Auckland for the last six years).

And just like that, the Raiders won a low scoring game 16 - 10

[aoluain]

Well damn it, both my NRL bets got blown to pieces.

The Roosters did a serious number on the Sharks, 42-16, not even close!

...and surprise surprise - the Panthers got done at home by the Knights,
6-25, thats an abysmal final score.


The final of the European Rugby Championship was yesterday and the French
team Bordeaux Begles beat Northampton Saints 20-28. I thought before the match
that it would go that way, but I didnt bet on it.

[darbitmobilerecovery]

Hi guys! How are you doing? Here again the woodswallow of this thread.

The other day i was passing by one of the rugby pitches from my city and where a lot of players started and develop his career, players like Leo Senatore for example.




It was good to see the next generation training, maybe we have a future star there.


European rugby end his season in this dates like football? Or we have something to see?

[aoluain]

Thats great darbit!

It is indeed impressive to see the growing number of under age players, when the senior teams
do well it creates more spotlight and participation by the younger generations but there has to
be proper foundations in place for these kids to develop.


European Rugby is not fully finished yet! the Champions Cup competition is finished but the United
Rugby Championship is entering the Quarter Finals this week end coming.

Glasgow Warriors ^{defending champions} v DHL Stormers
Vodacom Bulld v Edinburgh
Leinster v Scarlets
Hollywood Sharks v Munster

Thats 3 South African teams in the Quarters!

[Timelord2067]

Game one of the 2025 SOO series has begun here in Brisbane.

Weather : Picture perfect after the temps dropped overnight with moderate breezes.

First half summary: A penalty goal for NSW directly in front of the goal.podts. After 25 minutes of game play, NSW then scored two unconverted tries which could come back to haunt them later. (Make that three tries unconverted by Nathan Clery who is normally on fire with his goal kicking) 2 - 14 at half time to NSW after a 40th minute penalty shot by Qld.

Half time trivia includes five bottom of the ladder Panthers are playing for NSW as are three Melbourne Storm players.

Second half got off to a good start, with an unconverted try (unconverted in the same spot Nathan Clery failed to kick from in the first half).

One hour of game play has seen the players becoming ever so slightly worn out. NSW scored a late try and their replacement goal kicker wasn't able to convert a reasonably easy kick followed moments later by NSW,s first goal kicker missing an easy one point field goal.

[Timelord2067]

I wasn't able to watch the Women's game 3 of the NRL State of Origin game live, but the match review via the nrl.com website shows a thrilling, well played game by both teams on a dry field in front of a capacity audience.  (which Queensland won I'm pleased to say)

I love watching the women play in the regular competition, but especially at the SOO level as they, like their English (male and female) counterparts play a cleaner, well formed game. 

For example, after a tackle, the female players on both sides reform a razor sharp lines and you can see that line sweep neatly from one side across as the tackle count progresses. 

Unlike the men of the NRL who don't even bother to reform and stand with their arms in the air behind their opponent's line waiting for the game to come to them.  (I'm looking at you Daily Cheery Evans).  Very messy.  A male player with the ball pauses mid pass to work out who is and is not off side before passing the ball.  (and the men are increasingly doing silly halfhearted passes in desperate attempts to keep the game in play.  As well as throwing their arms out and pleading like children to the the referee in much the same way those playing soccer have turned a tumble into a three act opera with a broken arm and wails of pain only to be magically cured by the all mighty when the ref (and crowd) tell them to wake up to themselves).

[aoluain]

The Blues are off to a flying start in the mens side, it was the same as last year I think,
and on the womens side last years champions are already on the board with a first win.

Timelord I see what you mean about the two sides and the way the game is
played. The womens side looks a little more... .structured or formed. As you
say at the breakdown the women are disciplined to reform their attack and defense lines
wheras the men dont bother!

[Timelord2067]

Yeh, and now that Queensland is down one nil in the best of three series, there are already calls for DCE to be replaced as captain of the Qld team ahead of the second game in Perth:

https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/06/04/matters-of-state-dce-call-set-to-be-biggest-of-slaters-coaching-career/

Matters of State: DCE call set to be biggest of Slater's coaching career

Author     Brad Walter NRL Senior Reporter Timestamp     Wed 4 Jun 2025, 02:16 PM

Maroons coach Billy Slater faces the biggest decision of his coaching career as he considers the future of the man who replaced him as Queensland captain.

Not only has Daly Cherry-Evans worn the No.7 jersey for the last 20 consecutive Origins, he has been the Maroons skipper since Slater retired at the end of the 2018 series.

Cherry-Evans played alongside Slater in 2013, 2014 and 2015 before spending time in the Origin wilderness until recalled for Game III of the 2018 series, which was also the fullback great's last appearance for Queensland.

The 36-year-old, who became the oldest player in Origin history in this year's series opening 18-6 loss to NSW, has been the Maroons halfback ever since.

[Timelord2067]

The pressure is on Manly's captain after they lost 22 - 26 to the Knights. If you watch the five minute summary on the NRL.com website, you will see Newcastle's sharp line formation in stark contrast to the Sea Eagles lack of formation.

Tonight, the Storm and Cowboys clash in the early game before the Dolphins and Dragons do battle.  Both sets I feel are fairly evenly balanced, so it's anyone's guess who will win.

[aoluain]

Yea, I'm not betting on Storm or Sharks this round, those teams are all in the top 8.
Sharks v Warriors, and other year the bet would automatically be on Sharks but
Warriors are currently in 3rd spot!


The the URC its semi final time thus weekend

Leinster v Glasgow Warriors - Hard not to pick Leinster, they have been really
dominant this season in number 1 spot. Glasgow Warriors are defending champions
But Leinster are REALLY desperate for a title.

Vodacom Bulls v Hollywoodbets Sharks - two evenly matched teams, this could go
either way.

[Timelord2067]

I listened to the Reds Vs Crusader's game yesterday before I watcedh the Dolphins annihilated the Dragons by fifty points!

You can print money on the Crusaders winning at home or when the Reds play in New Zealand. The statistics speak for themselves in that the Reds NEVER win matches in New Zealand and similarly, the Crusaders have won thirty plus games consecutivly at home.

Shortly, New Zealand face off against the Sharks at the Sharks home ground. Their CEO is on the radio talking about how the club is struggling to get govt funding to improve their grounds which has a 15,000 seat capacity.

I'm expecting Auckland to win and in the late game the Gold Coast Titans to pound the Broncos into oblivion.

Talk on the radio this week has been dominated by the Perth Bears joining the NRL in the coming years.

[Timelord2067]

The Tigers got a bruzing from the Panthers in a low scoring game which probably had more to do with the Panther's key player defecting to the Tigers at the start of the season.

Today, in some parts of the country, it is the King's birthday public (bank) holiday and so there is a match being played between the Bulldogs and Eels. The Bulldogs are far higher on the ladder, but given the at times upside down nature of this year, I wouldn't be surprised if the Eels were to win.

Across the ditch, another semi playoff occurred - details to follow.

[aoluain]

Eels got beaten - not surprised really. Looks like its going to be another season at the bottom
of the ladder for them!


Only 1 of my 2 teams are playing this coming round 15 - Sharks v Dragons


In the URC last weekend Leinster and Vodacom Bulls go into the final, interestingly its 1st and 2nd
on the table. Its a massive final this weekend which will be played in Ireland in a stadium with 86,000
capacity which should suit the home side Leinster.

And next weekend its straight into the Lions tour, kicking off against Argentina.

[Timelord2067]

Eels got beaten - not surprised really. Looks like its going to be another season at the bottom
of the ladder for them!


Only 1 of my 2 teams are playing this coming round 15 - Sharks v Dragons

I'm expecting the Sharks to maul the Dragons who are playing a somewhat patchy game this season.

On the Ladder after thirteen rounds (half way) the top six are the Bullsdogs (24) Raiders and Warriors (22) Storm (20) Sharks (16) Cowboys (15)

My midzone section - 7^th place (and 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th and 12^th) Dolphins, Broncos, Sea Eagles, Rooster, Dragons and Rabbitohs on 14 points a piece.

The bottom third at 13^th spot - Panthers (13) - 14^th and 15^th West's Tigers and Knights (12) then the Eels and Titans languishing on ten points each with a hand on the wooden spoon in 16^th and 17^th places.

I expect the Broncos and Sea Eagles to sink further with the Panthers perhaps clawing their way above those two.

In the URC last weekend Leinster and Vodacom Bulls go into the final, interestingly its 1st and 2nd
on the table. Its a massive final this weekend which will be played in Ireland in a stadium with 86,000
capacity which should suit the home side Leinster.

And next weekend its straight into the Lions tour, kicking off against Argentina.

Plenty of reading on these three sites:

https://www.lionsrugby.com/en/matches/mens-team/fixtures
https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/16057/13096701/british-and-irish-lions-tour-2025-fixtures-schedule-teams-venues-all-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-tour-of-australia
https://www.lionstour.com/fixtures/

In just one week, the Argentinians take on the Lions, followed a week later by the Western Force who IIRC didn't do too badly recently.

July sees seven games against many Australian and (an invitational mix of New Zealand, First Nations and Pacifica players) teams culminating with the Wallabies third game on the 2nd of August.

Lang Park always goes off whenever there's an international Rugby game played here and there will be two on the 2nd and 19th of July, so it'll definitely be celebrations on Caxton Street those nights.

[Timelord2067]

Without a doubt the Dolphins 150+ points scored (and just 18 points conceded) in their last three games and Queensland's Captain being dumped from the team (followed by the Sea Eagles 8 - 28 loss to the bottom rung Titans) would have to be the white hot talking points of the shortened week.

The Dolphins are now in sixth spot on 16 points together with the Broncos and Roosters

In 48 hours, Queensland will try to claw back some dignity when they play NSW in Perth (not ordinarily known as a League stronghold).

[aoluain]

Without a doubt the Dolphins 150+ points scored (and just 18 points conceded) in their last three games and Queensland's Captain being dumped from the team (followed by the Sea Eagles 8 - 28 loss to the bottom rung Titans) would have to be the white hot talking points of the shortened week.

The Dolphins are now in sixth spot on 16 points together with the Broncos and Roosters

In 48 hours, Queensland will try to claw back some dignity when they play NSW in Perth (not ordinarily known as a League stronghold).

Yup, getting close - Queensland need a win tomorrow for a 3rd match decider!


Last weekend was the URC final in which Leinster whupped the Vodacom
Bulls 32-7. Finally Leinster get some silverware after years of finals appearances.


Its over to the Lions tour next against Argentina in Ireland. I think the Lions will
be too strong for the Pumas.

[Timelord2067]

The SOO kicks off in four hours. Queensland are fired up for their showdown in Perth with the NSW team having won by 32 points in the two previous encounters in Western Australia.

All of which has overshadowed the announcement by Rugby Australia of an "Rugby Superleague Oz" competition kicking off next year. Not sure if the four Australian teams are pulling out of the Pacifica Cup, or, it's a stand alone series.

[darbitmobilerecovery]

Whats happening here?

Why nobody is waving about the Pumas or argetinian win against the British and Irish Lions combined? 

And plus why this thread was so silent in this last days? No rugby play?

Just come here to greet about the Pumas win.

I hope someone of you take money from them. You bet for them right?