NRL 2020 Finals Week 2 Expert Analysis

Will the Sydney Roosters get the win over Canberra on Friday as they look to continue their march toward a potential three-peat? Will the South Sydney Rabbitohs take down the Parramatta Eels for the second time this season to advance to the preliminary finals? With the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Week 2 matchups set, let’s find out which two teams looking like they’ll win and advance so you can wager against their NRL odds.

Rugby Betting Analysis – NRL Finals Week 2 Odds and Predictions

Sydney Roosters (14-0-6) Vs Canberra Raiders (14-0-6)

When: Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 at 3:50 AM
Where: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
NRL Odds: TBD

The Roosters have dropped two straight dating back to their regular season finale including a crushing 29-28 loss against Penrith on Friday. Josh Morris scored two tries while Freddy Lussick, James Tedesco and Angus Crichton all added tries in the narrow loss. Sydney got some positive news heading into their Week 2 finals matchup as hooker Jake Friend (head knock) and interchange forward Sonny Bill Williams (neck) will both return to action in this matchup. Freddy Lussick has been left out of the squad despite scoring a try in his last game. Back-rower Nat Butcher moves to the reserves while prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will suit up after avoiding a suspension after his high tackle on Dylan Edwards the last time out.

Jack Wighton scored two tires and Joseph Tapine, George Williams and Elliott Whitehead all added solo tries to help the Raiders get past the Sharks 32-20 in their Week 1 finals matchup on Saturday. Jarrod Croker went 4 of 6 on conversions and Canberra escaped the match against the Sharks fully intact. Heading into their Finals week 2 clash, coach Ricky Stuart has named the same 17 players for this win-or-go-home showdown.

Prediction

While the Raiders finished with an identical record as the Roosters this season and have the added motivation of trying to get some revenge for their 2019 grand finals loss against Sydney, I’m going with the Roosters to get the win in this affair for a couple of reasons. Sydney seriously focused right now after last week’s effort and they took out the Raiders 18-6 in Round 17. The Roosters are also a robust 7-3 at home and on the road this season, so it clearly doesn’t matter where they play. Canberra got off to a slow start in their Week 1 finals win, but I don’t think they’re going to be able to put points on the board easily against a Sydney defense that was mostly spectacular during the regular season. I’m going with the two-time defending champs to get their act together in this one to record a hard-fought win!

Pick: Roosters 24 Raiders 16

Parramatta Eels (15-0-5) Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (12-0-8)

When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 at 3:50 AM
Where: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
NRL Odds: TBD

The Eels won two straight and three of their final four regular season games, but suffered a 36-24 loss against Melbourne in their Week 1 finals qualifying matchup on Saturday. While Parramatta saw Nathan Brown, Clinton Gutherson, Blake Ferguson and Shaun Lane all scored tries while Mitchell Moses went 4-for-4 on conversions, the Eels fell apart in the second half after going into the break tied at 12-12.

Now, heading into their Week 2 finals matchup, Blake Ferguson will start on the wing while George Jennings starts in place of the injured Maika Sivo (knee) on the other wing. Ray Stone replaces the suspended Marata Niukore on the bench after Niukore accepted a two-game suspension for a crushing tackle and will now only suit up again this season if Parramatta reaches the grand final.

The Rabbitohs won two of their final three regular season contests and recorded an emphatic 46-20 win over the Knights in their Week 1 finals clash on Sunday. Tevita Tatola and Alex Johnston both scored a pair of tries in the while Corey Allen, Cody Walker, Cameron Murray and Damien Cook all added solo tries.

Adam Reynolds went 6 of 8 on conversions and South Sydney never trailed after going into the half with a 20-14 lead. Now, heading into their Week 2 finals showdown, coach, Wayne Bennett will go with the same 17 that defeated Newcastle last week. Jaydn Su’A is listed to start and Liam Knight is on the bench but the pair may swap as they did against the Knights.

Prediction

South Sydney pounded Parramatta en route to a convincing 38-0 blowout win in Round 16, but I’m expecting the Eels to be locked-in for this important meeting. While Parramatta is the underdog in this one, lest anyone forget, the Eels won 15 games during the regular season to South Sydney’s 12 victories. While the Rabbitohs have the better offense in this matchup, the Eels are the far better team defensively and I believe that defense will keep the Souths largely in check in this affair to get the win. I love the value that Parramatta is offering in this one online rugby betting buffs!

Pick: Eels 24 Rabbitohs 18

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