Andrew Johns says the dramas that have enveloped the Rabbitohs during the coronavirus shutdown spells trouble for Wayne Bennett's men in their blockbuster Friday night clash with the Roosters.
Bennett and his players have barely had time to breathe between off-field dramas, from Latrell Mitchell's camping trip, to news that James Roberts was in rehab for the third time and then Cody Walker's suspension for a street fight in Casino.
Scroll below for the full round of NRL tips from all the stars of Nine's coverage!
It's a treacherous way to prepare for a meeting with the two-time defending champions, especially given the Roosters are coming off a 0-2 start and are desperate to get their campaign under way.
Neither Walker or Roberts will play tomorrow night and Mitchell starts his third game at fullback for his new club having failed to complete 80 minutes in the key position in either of the opening two rounds.
While Bennett is the master at turning adversity in his favour, Johns told Wide World of Sports' Freddy & Joey's Tips there wouldn't be a rabbit coming out of the master coach's hat this time around.
"This is my moral of the weekend, I think the Roosters win and I think they win well," Johns said.
"A few reasons, they've obviously got some players out, South Sydney, which is well documented. But there's nothing but noise coming out of South Sydney.
"There has been for the whole two months we've been in isolation.
"You've heard nothing coming out of the Roosters. Boyd Cordner back, Jake Friend back and a really strong bench. I think the Roosters win and have a big win."
While Friend is one of the club's leaders and has been named to return in the starting side, Johns said he wouldn't be surprised if this is the hooker's last season for the Tricolours.
Off contract at the end of the year, Friend has been the subject of contract speculation over the last week and Johns said the Roosters had shown in their recent past that they were capable of making tough calls.
"The Roosters tend to make those tough calls, I think back recently and they moved Dylan Napa on and Mitchell Pearce, so they'll make the big calls," Johns said.
"It depends on Jake's body and how he's going physically but there's some big calls to be made."
Check out the tipping leaderboard and the full set of Round 3 tips from Joey, Freddy and all our Channel Nine experts below!
Andrew Johns
Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Tigers, Storm, Knights, Sea Eagles
Brad Fittler
Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Tigers, Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles
Peter Sterling
Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Tigers, Storm, Knights, Sea Eagles
James Bracey
Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Sharks, Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles
Allana Ferguson
Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Tigers, Storm, Knights, Sea Eagles
Johnathan Thurston
Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Tigers, Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles
Peter Psaltis
Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters, Warriors, Wests Tigers, Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles
Phil Gould
Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Sharks, Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles
Danika Mason
Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Tigers, Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles
The Mole
Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Sharks, Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles
Billy Slater
Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Sharks, Storm, Knights, Sea Eagles
Matt Thompson
Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters, Warriors, Sharks, Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles
Ben Glover
Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Tigers, Storm, Knights, Sea Eagles
Tim Elbra
Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Dragons, Wests Tigers, Storm, Knights, Sea Eagles
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-round-3-footy-tips-channel-nine-expert-predictions/b253830b-3942-479d-9c5a-99bbfe8551bc
0 Comments