Wests Tigers v Wentworthville Magpies
Leichhardt Oval, Saturday 17 June
1:15pm
Broadcast LIVE on Fox League, 502
Two of the Intrust Super Premiership NSW's lowest-placed teams will battle it out in the opening game of Round 15, knowing full well that it is now do-or-die football if they are to have any hope of making the finals.
The Magpies have had an unfortunate run of three of the competition's top four teams in the past three weeks, giving up leads in all three to lose by a small margin. The most impressive of these came in the first hour of football against the ladder-leading Wyong Roos, before Wentworthville self-destructed to lose 35-28. Having held their own against the top teams so far this year, they will be deserved favourites at Leichhardt Oval.
Similarly for the home side, it was a closer-than-expected match for the majority last week as the Wests Tigers went down to Wyong. Once again the Roos ran away with it late in the game, strengthening their status as one of the competition's fittest teams, and the Tigers will need to be better than that to keep up with the slightly better Magpies on Saturday afternoon.
Illawarra v Wyong Roos
WIN STadium, Saturday 17 June
3pm
Broadcast LIVE on SteeleSports.com.au
Illawarra will host the premiership favourites at 3pm AEST on Saturday in another intriguing match-up. After three impressive victories on the run, the defending premiers were beginning to look very dangerous over the past month, before being brought back down to earth by the Bulldogs in a 38-0 trouncing. It goes without saying that they'll need to be much better to be any chance against the Roos, who have found a way to win on all but two occasions this season. In their past seven matches, all but one was very much in the balance late in the game, but Rip Taylor's men have consistently found a way to win - or on one occasion, grind out a 30-all draw.
Making matters worse for Illawarra fans is the fact NRL affiliate the Dragons will play on the weekend, resulting in fewer troops for the Intrust Super Premiership NSW side. The Roos, however, have a full squad to choose from with the Roosters enjoying an NRL bye, giving them an advantage for this Round 15 clash.
Newtown Jets v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles
Henson Park, Saturday 17 June
3pm
Broadcast LIVE on SteeleSports.com.au
It was the Jets who welcomed the Sea Eagles into the Intrust Super Premiership NSW in Round 1 and the reverse fixture will take place at Henson Park on Saturday, with Newtown once again the favourites. That season-opening game was much closer than expected, with the Jets 16-14 victors, but Blacktown's chances were not helped by a huge 15 errors and 14 penalties conceded. The Sea Eagles continue to struggle in this area, but managed to pull off one of the upsets of the year last weekend by defeating the second-placed Warriors.
While the Jets have the class to overcome the Sea Eagles for a second time this year, the firepower of the visitors was on show for all to see last week - and if the spine of Pita Godinet, Jackson Hastings, Cameron Cullen and Joey Lussick are all on song again, they are more than capable of taking the two points. Fans are encouraged to watch what will be an intriguing contest at Henson Park.
For full team lists and fixture details, visit the NSWRL Match Centre
