Illawarra v Wests Tigers
WIN Stadium, Friday 2 June
7:30pm
With both teams coming off the bye, this week marks a restart of their 2017 Intrust Super Premiership NSW campaigns. The last-placed Wests Tigers desperately need a victory to stay in touch with the top eight – and Illawarra will similarly be keen on a win to stay in touch with the top four. With
Newcastle Knights v NZ Warriors
Cessnock Stadium, Saturday 3 June
4:45pm
Knights halfback Trent Hodkinson has once again been handed Newcastle’s captaincy – and he’ll be instrumental in this clash. Last week the Warriors enjoyed another victory, an 18-10 win at home, to consolidate their position on the ladder, while the Knights had the bye. If the visitors can control Hodkinson and, in turn the Knights outside backs including Brendan Elliott and Jacob Gagan, the Warriors, led by leading pointscorer Mason Lino, will prove too strong.
Blacktown Workers v Mounties
Lottoland, Sunday 4 June
11:45am
This clash is littered with NRL experience – Jonathon Wright, Pita Godinet, Jarrad Kennedy, Isaac John, David Taylor, Jeff Lima, Glen Buttriss and Yileen Gordon! Look for a strong effort from Blacktown in front of their ‘home’ fans at Brookvale: the Workers need to build on the momentum of Round 11’s victory against Newcastle, just their third of the season.
Canterbury Bulldogs v Penrith Panthers
ANZ Stadium, Sunday 4 June
1:45pm
It’s eighth versus fifth here and it could well be a rehearsal for finals footy. This match, played before the Bulldogs and Panthers NRL clash, should come down to the battle of the five-eighths – Josh Cleeland (Canterbury) and Tyrone May (Penrith) are hugely influential for their teams.
Wentworthville Magpies v Wyong Roos
Ringrose Park, Sunday 4 June
3pm
The Magpies love putting on a show for their home fans, and they’ll have to pull a rabbit out of the hate on Sunday if they are to beat Wyong. The Roos are on fire in 2017, having won 10 of 12 clashes, The Magpies, led by NRL veteran Jeff Robson and featuring KARI City Origin representative David Gower, won’t prove easy beats, though.
North Sydney Bears and Newtown Jets have the bye
