Eels v Storm NRL Rd 1 betting tips & multi picks – March 2, 2023

Round one of the 2023 NRL Premiership kicks off in Parramatta with the Eels hosting the Storm at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night. Both sides have undergone drastic changes in their squads for the 2023 season, giving coaches Brad Arthur and Craig Bellamy great selection and tactical headaches.

The Parramatta Eels will be without Shaun Lane, Isaiah Papali’i, Ryan Matterson and Marata Niukore, while the Storm will be missing David Nofoaluma, Justin Olam, Felise Kaufusi, Brandon Smith and the Bromwich brothers. The key to this match will be who adjusts quicker and better to their new systems to begin the season.

The Eels have won five of their last six games against Storm; however, Melbourne have won all of their opening-round matches since 2001, with one bye. The Eels are defending grand finalists, but mass changes to their side, mixed with Bellamy’s emphasis on starting seasons with a win, makes for a tough opening round at home. The $1.71 with BetOnline for the Storm to win is a great value bet to begin the season.

Dry conditions are expected for Parramatta, which historically makes for high-scoring games at CommBank Stadium. However, the changes in the forward packs for both squads will have huge implications on the platforms laid for the outside backs to play attacking football. Expect both halves pairings to be attacking from the back foot, with minimal ball inside the opposition’s 20m zone, making for a low-scoring match that goes under 40.5 total points ($1.90).

There were numerous new faces pulling on the Melbourne Storm jersey throughout the Pre-Season Challenge, but not many impressed more than Will Warbrick. The former Olympian and All Blacks rugby sevens player showed great on-field awareness, but more importantly, phenomenal speed, strength and footwork to score on the right edge against the Warriors. Look for Warbrick to be the beneficiary of set plays that will put him in one-on-one situations with opposition winger Bailey Simonsson, giving him a great chance to score a try on debut ($2.45).

Key matchup: Dylan Brown v Cameron Munster

The battle of these five-eighths will be an epic curtain-raiser for the NRL season. Dylan Brown and Cam Munster are two of, if not the two best in their given position in the world. Both are strong defensively but have the ability to break a game open at the drop of a hat. Defence will be a big focus to start the season for both sides, meaning the unpredictability and raw talent of these two could be the defining factor. Do not be surprised if one of these two plays a key role in a big break down the field, or try, that sees the momentum swing.

Eels v Storm Rd 1 betting prediction

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