Raiders v Broncos NRL Round 2 predictions & top bets | March 15

Raiders v Broncos NRL R2 best bets

NRL Round 2: Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos preview

The Canberra Raiders will be missing some key players for their NRL Round 2 clash with a red-hot Brisbane Broncos outfit this Saturday at GIO Stadium.

The Raiders have won three of their last four against Brisbane in Canberra, but the Broncos hold the historical advantage in this matchup, winning 24 of 40 meetings since 1998.

Michael Maguire’s Broncos made a massive statement in Round 1, obliterating the Roosters 50-14. Brisbane’s forwards ran rampant, with Payne Haas (201 metres, 6 tackle busts) and Patrick Carrigan (185 metres, 36 tackles) leading the charge. Their spine was electric, with Reece Walsh setting up two tries, Selwyn Cobbo bagging a hat-trick, and Adam Reynolds controlling the game with pinpoint kicking.

The Raiders, meanwhile, were clinical against the Warriors, completing at 82% and dominating the middle through Corey Horsburgh (168 run metres, 4 tackle busts) and Josh Papalii (148 metres). Their edge defence, however, was tested at times, and the absence of Joseph Tapine’s leadership in the middle could expose them against Brisbane’s aggressive pack.

The key battle will be in the forward pack, with Canberra needing to find a way to slow down Haas and Carrigan. If they can’t win the ruck, the Broncos’ dynamic backline will have a field day, with Reece Walsh and Ben Hunt ready to exploit any weaknesses.

With Brisbane playing with confidence and fielding an unchanged side, they start as deserving favourites with the top Australian bookmakers.

Raiders v Broncos Rd 2 teams list

Canberra Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Savelio Tamale
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Albert Hopoate
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Tom Starling
10. Corey Horsburgh
11. Hudson Young
12. Zac Hosking
13. Morgan Smithies
14. Owen Pattie
15. Simi Sasagi
16. Matty Nicholson
17. Ata Mariota

Canberra will be without Joe Tapine and Xavier Savage due to suspension, with Albert Hopoate coming onto the wing and Josh Papalii shifting to prop. Morgan Smithies moves to lock, while Matty Nicholson joins the bench for his club debut.

Brisbane Broncos

1. Reece Walsh
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Deine Mariner
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Jesse Arthars
6. Ben Hunt
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Cory Paix
10. Payne Haas
11. Jack Gosiewski
12. Jordan Riki
13. Kobe Hetherington
14. Billy Walters
15. Corey Jensen
16. Xavier Willison
17. Brendan Piakura

Brisbane have named the same 17 that dismantled the Roosters, with their forward pack led by Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan. Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds continue to guide the team in the halves, while Selwyn Cobbo and Jesse Arthars retain their spots on the wings.

Raiders v Broncos betting predictions

Brisbane’s demolition of the Roosters proved they are a legitimate contender under Michael Maguire. With Canberra missing Tapine and Savage, Brisbane’s forward pack should control the middle and allow their lethal outside backs to capitalise. The Broncos have won their last two against the Raiders, both by 13 or more points, making the -11.5 line an appealing bet with BetOnline.

Payne Haas was a wrecking ball in Round 1, running for over 200 metres and constantly bending the defensive line. With Canberra missing Tapine, expect Haas to get plenty of chances close to the line, making him excellent value at $6.60 in the anytime tryscorer market at BetOnline. With his power game in top form, this could be the perfect matchup for him to crash over for his first try of the season.

Some 10 of the Raiders’ last 11 games have gone under 50.5 points, and with the Broncos likely to control possession, this total could stay low despite their scoring power. The Raiders will likely aim to slow the game down and turn it into a grind to stay competitive, while Brisbane, despite their attacking threat, may not need to post a massive score to get the job done. Take the under at $1.90 odds with BetOnline.

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