Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra DragonsLast season Parramatta rode a wave of form and momentum into the grand final. But it's the start of the season and there's no momentum - they have to create some. And we know how long it took them to do that last year. In the first year of the Reign of Wayne, the Dragons overachieved last season, winning the minor premiership. With a full year for the players to get used to the coach and vice versa, the team is sure to step it up a notch right from the first round.
The winner: Dragons.
The sure thing: Former freak Jarryd Hayne to show signs of not being able to handle the pressure of being a "superstar".
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys
This Queensland clash sees Broncos coach Ivan Henjak opt for a 12-year-old debutante at fullback - Corey Norman. Okay, so he's not that young - but he is still a teenager. And he's come from the clouds, not even appearing in the NRL squad. There are two more kids like him on the bench too. Despite the lack of experience in the Broncos line-up, cool heads from the likes of Darren Lockyer will see them slip past the Cowboys
The winner: Broncos.
The sure thing: Cowboys new signing Willie Mason to have two good hit-ups and/or tackles and then go missing for the rest of the game.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights
The Bulldogs are coming off the back of a great 2009 (and with a great retro logo, by the way) while the Knights' season went off the rails before round one with the Danny Wicks/Chris Houston drug charges. That's enough right there to ensure a Dogs win - even if they no longer have the guarantee of an extra eight to 10 points from the boot of Hazem el Masri. But the Knights won't be as easy to beat as some think. Using a siege mentality they'll be competitive for about 60 minutes before petering out.
The winner: Bulldogs.
The sure thing: Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis to use the Knights' drug drama as potent fuel for sledging.
Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm
One of the best teams in the comp plays the worst. Who do you reckon will win?
The winner: Storm.
The sure thing: Sharks coach Ricky Stuart to have a whinge in the post-match press conference.
Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders
The somewhat underrated Kevin Kingston will provide some oomph for Penrith (and the chance for commentators to indulge in a little alliteration). Plus, they're playing at home. Plus, their opponent is Canberra - a team who hates leaving home for anything. The Raiders might have had a chance if this game was played in the middle of the season (when it's bloody cold in Penrith) but it's not. So they'll lose.
The winner: Panthers.
The sure thing: Alan Tongue to make, like, 70 billion tackles.
Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors are claiming dirty play over the Titans' decision to wear their away strip, which forces the Kiwis to play in their all-black strip in the Queensland heat. Jeez, guys, quit whingeing - you chose to have one of your jerseys all-black so accept the consequences. It's not like you had a chance of winning anyway. The Titans grow an extra leg when they play at home.
The winner: Titans.
The sure thing: Greg Bird to prove his onfield worth to the Titans. Off-field? Well that remains to be seen.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters
Everyone's been talking up the Bunnies during the preseason because of the tanks they have in their scrum. At the same time, everyone's been writing off the Roosters for both this game and this season. While a team that boasts a gaggle of over-rated players - Braith Anasta, Jason Ryles, Mitchell Pearce - isn't a premiership threat, they are a threat this weekend. They're going to shock the Bunnies, who will have to work out how to deal with the weight of expectation heaped on them this season.
The winner: Roosters.
The sure thing: Bunnies halfback Chris Sandow will try one of his shoulder charges. And it won't be successful.
Wests Tigers vs Manly Sea Eagles
The Sea Eagles go into the game without organiser Matt Orford, which will cost them. They might have some speed in the back and some smash up front but there's a missing link between them. And that link is what the Tigers have - in Benji Marshall and youngster Robert Lui. They also have Lote Tuqiri who is the most over-rated signing this year.
The winner: Tigers.
The sure thing: Manly's Steve Matai to do something that earns the ire of the ref.
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