NRL 2023 Round 8 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

Round 8 of the NRL season will play host to a number of huge games, starting off with a Preliminary Final rematch between the Rabbitohs and Panthers on Thursday night. The Eels and the Broncos continue the high-quality games the next night, before a game which holds far more intrigue than it might have a few weeks ago concludes the round when the Storm play host to the Warriors. Check out our detailed reviews of every game set to take place across Round 8 of the NRL season below.

Round Seven starts off with a replay of last year’s Preliminary Final, with both the Rabbitohs and the Panthers looking to once again make their way deep into the finals series in 2023. They both enter in strong form, too. The Bunnies won their second straight game last Thursday night, demolishing the Dolphins 36-14 after beating the Bulldogs 50-14 the week prior. Their offence is absolutely humming, although the Panthers defence will provide a much sterner test than what they’ve faced the last couple of weeks. Penrith have now won three on the trot, though they didn’t get there without a scare from the Knights last weekend. That was the Panthers third one-point game within their first six of the season, but while the first couple didn’t go their way, this time they finally got the points in a tight one. That took their record to 4-2, enough to have them in second place on the ladder. This will be a true battle of offence vs defence; the Rabbitohs have scored more than all other sides in the league except the Broncos, while the Panthers have conceded the least points by a very long way. In a tight, tense affair, the Rabbitohs can earn themselves an upset win on their home turf.

Predicted Squads

South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Hame Sele 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jai Arrow 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Michael Chee Kam 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Davvy Moale

Penrith Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o  6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matthew Eisenhuth 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon

The high-quality matchups continue on Friday evening, with last year’s Grand Finallists hosting the most improved team thus far in 2023, and a side whose Premiership credentials are growing with each passing week. Things haven’t gone to plan for the Eels so far this year, but with a lot of close losses to good teams they are faring better than their record suggests, and after a 30-4 win against the Bulldogs last Sunday, it appears their fortunes may be starting to turn. The Broncos, meanwhile, quickly returned to their winning ways after suffering their first loss of the season two weeks ago, beating the Titans 43-26 as they continue to showcase what is currently the most potent offensive team in the league. The Broncos deserve to be favourites based on how well they’ve played all year, but things seem to be trending in the right direction for the Eels, and they can cause the second upset in as many games to start the weekend.

Predicted Squads

Parramatta Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson
10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson 14. J'maine Hopgood  15. Brendan Hands 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Brisbane Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tom Flegler  9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas  11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Corey Jensen 17. Martin Taupau

The Bulldogs were supposed to show some improvement this year, and after three wins in their first five games it appeared that they were poised to do just that. Their inability to bring anything resembling consistent effort from week to week, however, has seen them drop their last two games first by 34 points to the Rabbitohs, and then 26 points to the Eels. Those performances stand in stark contrast to what they’re capable of at their best, and if they continue to play the way that they have the last fortnight they’ll be in for a rough night against Cronulla. The Sharks haven’t been at their best so far this year either, but put in their best performance of the season last weekend when beating the Roosters 22-12. That display was a lot more reminiscent of the way they played last year when they made the top four, and if they can continue to play that way they should be too good for the struggling Bulldogs. 

Predicted Squads

Canterbury Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Braidon Burns 3. Declan Casey 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Jayden Okunbor 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior  11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Jackson Topine 17. Kurtis Morrin 

Cronulla Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey
10. Oregon Kaufusi  11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Wade Graham 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton

• The Warriors are yet to lose a game by more than ten points in 2023.
• The Eels have won six of their last seven games against the Broncos.
• The Sea Eagles have won their last four games against the Wests Tigers by an average of 23.5 points.

Multi of the Week

A bad start to the year for the Cowboys is quickly turning into a disaster, with a ten-point loss to the Warriors last weekend compounded by the news that Jason Taumalolo is set to undergo knee surgery that will keep him off the park for six weeks. Their record of 2-5 is better than only the Wests Tigers, and with the wheels slowly falling off their season they desperately need to beat the Knights this weekend. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, that might not be as easy as it was last year. The Knights have had a really impressive month, beating both the Raiders and the Warriors by ten points, drawing with the Sea Eagles, and last week getting within a point of the Panthers. Each of those teams is going better than the Cowboys, so it would be no surprise to see the Knights come away from North Queensland with the win.

Predicted Squads

North Queensland Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Mitch Dunn 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jack Gosiewski 14. Jake Granville 15. Tom Chester 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Riley Price

Newcastle Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Kalyn Ponga  7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mat Croker 14. Kurt Mann
15. Jack Hetherington 16. Tyson Gamble 17. Jacob Saifiti

The Dolphins are slowly coming back to earth after an electric start to their life in the NRL, with their latest defeat coming by 22 points at the hands of the Rabbitohs. That was their third loss in four games, and has seen them tumble down from the top couple of spots on the ladder to eighth. They are in the middle of a plethora of teams all with eight points, another one of which they will play this weekend. The Titans have endured a topsy turvy start to the year, swapping wins and losses every round, and last weekend that trend continued when they went down 43-26 to the Broncos after beating the Dragons the week prior. With the exception of their defeat of the Storm, Gold Coast’s form doesn’t stand up particularly well, but the Dolphins are gradually beginning to more closely resemble the side most expected them to be this year. Perhaps that’s harsh; they’ve still been competitive most games this year, but with their form beginning to drop off the Titans can get the job done this weekend.

Predicted Squads

The Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken  4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu  6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Herman Ese'ese 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Kurt Donoghoe

Gold Coast Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Joe Vuna 17. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui

The Wests Tigers got a week off from their winless season last week, earning their first points of the year courtesy of the bye. This week, unfortunately, the streak of losses seems likely to continue. The Sea Eagles have had an impressive start to the year, and though they endured a difficult couple of weeks prior to Round 7, they bounced back in serious fashion last week with an 18-8 win over the Storm. Containing teams has been an issue for them at times this season but it certainly wasn’t last weekend, and up against a Tigers team which has scored just 90 points in six games – comfortably the least in the league – they should once again be able to hold their opposition to a pretty low score. The Tigers haven’t been blown out of the park much this year so should be able to avoid a blowout, but it’s hard to see any result other than a Sea Eagles win.

Predicted Squads

Wests Tigers: 1. Charlie Staines 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Tommy Talau 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau
10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Shawn Blore

Manly Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker  4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Aaron Woods 17. Toafofoa Sipley

After a shock loss to the Dolphins in Round 1 the Roosters appeared to have found their groove a month into the season, but a really bad fortnight has pushed them back to the pack. After going down 28-8 to the Storm a couple of weeks ago, they went down by ten points to the Sharks, failing to score in the second half after going into the break with a 12-8 lead. Disappointing though they were, however, at least those losses came to quality sides, and against significantly inferior opposition this weekend they should be able to bounce back. The Dragons led with 20 minutes to go against the Raiders as they attempted to win their third game of the season, but two tries in ten minutes saw them concede the lead and ultimately go down 20-14. The Roosters need to win this one to avoid what would be a three-game losing streak and subsequently see them lose touch with the top four, and they should have no problems doing exactly that.

Predicted Squads

Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joey Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Nathan Brown 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Matt Lodge

St. George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mat Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Jacob Liddle  10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su'a 13. Jack De Belin 14. Moses Mbye 15. Toby Couchman 16. Josh Kerr 17. Michael Molo

Prior to the season this wouldn’t have loomed as a particularly interesting game to end Round 7, but a couple of months into the season and that’s all changed. The Storm have been a bit all over the place this season, and after they appeared to have got it together with three consecutive wins – the last two of which came against the Rabbitohs and Roosters – they were beaten relatively comfortably last weekend by the Sea Eagles. Still, for the most part this season their form has stacked up reasonably well, and it will need to against the Warriors this weekend. In their first season based back in New Zealand they’ve been terrific, with their latest win a 22-14 defeat of the Cowboys. With five wins from their first seven games they find themselves in third place on the ladder, and though it’s unlikely they’ll remain in the top four as the season wears on, there’s no doubt they’re a significantly better team than they have been in season’s past. They can take it up to the Storm this weekend, but beating Melbourne at Aami Park. After a tight first half, the Storm can run away with this in the second. 

Predicted Squads

Melbourne Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Will Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tariq Sims 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tom Eisenhuth  17. Grant Anderson

New Zealand Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Adam Pompey 4. Marcelo Montoya 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak  6. Dylan Walker 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Josh Curran 17. Tom Ale

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