NRL 2025 – Round 13 preview, predictions and tips
So it’s one down, two to go in State of Origin, and a New South Wales series win looks ineveitable based on that first performance.
There’s plenty of time for Queensland to lick their wounds ahead of game two on 18th June. For now, it’s straight back to business in the NRL, with 14 teams in action this weekend…
- Friday 30th May – St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights – Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
- Saturday 31st May – Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
- Saturday 31st May – North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers- Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
- Saturday 31st May -Manly Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos – 4 Pines Park, Sydney
- Sunday 1st June – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors – Accor Stadium, Sydney
- Sunday 1st June – Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
- Sunday 1st June – Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
*All odds taken from Paddy Power, and correct at time of writing on 27th May.
Friday 30th May – St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights – Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Dragons had a bye in Round 12, but their 26-30 win over the Broncos two weeks ago ended a three-game losing run. They come into this weekend in 10th on the ladder, with a 4-6 record.
As for the Knights, they took full advantage of a weakend Panthers in Round 12, winning 6-25. That win lifted them to 14th, and just two points outside the top eight.
Team news
Winger Christian Tuipulotu is back in a timely boost for the Dragons, as he takes over from the injured Corey Allan. Dylan Egan’s impressive season has ended prematurely, so Luciano Leilua comes into the starting side and Toby Couchman returns from injury on the bench. Valentine Holmes is named to back up from Origin in the centres.
Dragons team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Toby Couchman 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Emre Guler 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Nathan Lawson 22. Hame Sele
Kalyn Ponga has been named to back up from Origin by the Knights, so Fletcher Sharpe moves back to the halves alongside Tyson Gamble. Leo Thompson returns after illness, so Brodie Jones moves to the bench. Adam Elliott is out injured, so Mat Croker starts at lock and Jack Hetherington is named on the bench. Jack Cogger drops out of the 17 from last week.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Thomas Cant 18. Jack Cogger 19. Jermaine McEwen 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Elijah Leaumoana
My prediction – St George Illawarra Dragons 18-10 Newcastle Knights
This is a tough one to call as both sides have been underwhwlming this year, but have the ability to pull a performance out of the bag. It’s still early to be calling this must-win, but whoever does get the two points will hope to use this as a springboard to the top eight. I’m going with the Dragons, given their home advantage and more dangerous attack, but not by much.
Betting tips
I’m not expecting either side to run away with this, so the 15/8 on Dragons to win by 1-12 points looks good to me.
Saturday 31st May – Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Form guide
The Titans had the week off in Round 12, having been beaten 40-24 by Canberra the previous week. In fact, it’s just one win in six games for the Gold Coast, who sit second-bottom with just three wins this year.
Melbourne also sat out in Round 12, and the usually formidable Storm have been looking rocky in recent weeks. With three defeats in the or last five, they’ll be looking to bounce back this week and build some consistency heading into finals. They sit 4th on the ladder, four points inside the top eight.
Team news
The Titans have shuffled the team around, with the headline news seeing Kieran Foran dropping to the bench. Beau Fermor, Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui have all been named to back up from Origin.
Titans team: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Kieran Foran 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Klese Haas 17. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 18. Arama Hau 19. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 20. Josh Patston 21. Tom Weaver 22. Sean Mullany 23. Allan Fitzgibbon
Melbourne have also named their Origin stars – Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, Xavier Coates and Trent Loiero. Bronson Garlick comes onto the bench as well, while Centre Jack Howarth is named in the extended squad as he eyes a return from injury.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Joe Chan 19. Jack Howarth 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Kane Bradley 22. Lazarus Vaalepu 23. Marion Seve 24. Ativalu Lisati
My prediction – Gold Coast Titans 6-42 Melbourne Storm
I’m backing the Storm to bounce back with a vengeance this week. If their Origin trio don’t make the gameday team then it might change things a little, but even without them I’m expecting a convincing win against a struggling Titans.
Betting tips
The Storm have been given a -12 handicap, which looks a dead cert to me, at 10/11. I’m also backing them to win by 19+, which is priced at 13/8.
Saturday 31st May – North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers- Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Form guide
The Cowboys had a bye in Round 12, but before that they’ve stuttered in recent weeks. It’s now three games without a win for the Townsville side, who sit 7th on the ladder, one point inside the top eight.
The Tigers also had a bye in Round 12, and they lost their two games prior to that. A 64-0 hammering in Melbourne was followed by a better display in a 12-22 loss to the Rabbitohs, but they currently sit 12th, as one of five teams on 12 points.
Team news
Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson have all been named to back up from Origin for the Cowboys. Cotter’s inclusion after missing the Manly game, means Coen Hess drops to the bench, Sam McIntrye shifts to prop and Thomas Mikaele drops out of the 17. Jaxson Paulo will make his club debut in place of the injured Murray Taulagi on the wing.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Jake Clifford 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Karl Lawton 21. Thomas Mikaele 22. Braidon Burns 23. Kaiden Lahrs 24. Jamal Shibasaki
The big news for the Tigers is the absence of Lachlan Galvin. The 19-year-old is expected to sign with the Bulldogs any day, so he’s been left out completely this week. Heath Mason replaces him in the halves in the only change from the Tigers’ last match in Round 11.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Royce Hunt 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Brent Naden 15. Jack Bird 16. Sione Fainu 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Tristan Hope 19. Luke Laulilii 20. Charlie Murray 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Tallyn Da Silva
My prediction – North Queensland Cowboys 24-12 Wests Tigers
There’s no denying the Lachlan Galvin circus has been having a destabilising effect on the Tigers in the past few weeks, and I think it’ll play a part again here. The Cowboys are overdue a performance as well, and I can see them putting one on at home.
Betting tips
I’m tipping Jaxon Purdue to score an anytime try for the Cowboys, at 9/5. It’s also 10/11 for the Tigers to score under 19.5 points, and that looks likely as well.
Saturday 31st May -Manly Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos – 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Form guide
Manly went down to a surprise 30-10 loss at Parramatta in Round 12, despite missing just one man to Origin. That defeat dropped them to 9th on the ladder, level on points with 8th-placed Brisbane.
And speaking of the Broncos, they’ll have been glad for a week off last time out after three straight losses. They’re clinging onto their top eight spot by a fingertip right now.
Team news
Manly are missing superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic, so Lehi Hopoate takes the number one jersey and Tommy Talau comes in on the wing. Daly Cherry-Evans has been named to back up from Origin, so Jake Arthur drops out of the 17. Josh Aloiai and Ben Trbojevic are both back to bolster the forward pack, but Siosiua Taukeiah and Jake Trbojevic are ruled out.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Michael Chee Kam 21. Toafofoa Sipley 22. Caleb Navale
Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas have been named to back up from Origin for the Broncos. Selwyn Cobbo is also named, despite missing out on Origin selection, supposedly through injury. He’s been shifted to the wing though, with Jesse Arthars switching to fullback. Ben Te Kura replaces Fletcher Baker on the bench, with Baker dropping to the reserves.
Broncos team:1. Jesse Arthars 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Benjamin Te Kura 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Blake Mozer 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Fletcher Baker 23. Va’a Semu
My prediction – Manly Sea Eagles 22-14 Brisbane Broncos
Manly’s loss to the Eels last weekend has thrown me a little, but I’m still backing them to overcome a Broncos side who have looked well off it in recent weeks. Brisbane are more than capable of turning it around this week and getting a result, but I’m sticking with the Sea Eagles.
Betting tips
The Broncos are favourites for this one, so I’m backing Manly in the outright market, at 13/10. Lehi Hopoate crossed for both tries in last week’s loss at Parra, and it’s 9/5 for him to score anytime this week as well, which is pretty generous odds.
Sunday 1st June – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Rabbitohs had a bye in Round 12, but they won the two games before that to push themselves up to 6th on the ladder.
Meanwhile, the Warriors were in action last weekend, losing narrowly at home to the Raiders, 10-16. They’d won five straight before that though, and sit 3rd – six points inside the top eight as they close in on a finals berth.
Team news
The Rabbitohs have made just one change to to the side that beat Wests Tigers in Round 11. Sean Keppie replaces Liam Le Blanc on the bench. Latrell Mitchell has been named to back up from Origin.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jye Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Shaquai Mitchell 21. Lewis Dodd 22. Jacob Host
For the Warriors, James Fisher-Harris returns from suspension and Rocco Berry also returns from injury. Leka Halasima shifts to the bench and Jacob Laban drops out of the 17. Mitch Barnett has been named to back up from Origin.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Leka Halasima 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jackson Ford 18. Jacob Laban 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Tanner Stowers-Smith 23. Taine Tuaupiki
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 14-20 New Zealand Warriors
I’m expecting a close game here, but I can see the Warriors edging it. They’ve only lost three times in 2025 and look a far more consistent side than in previous years.
Betting tips
I like the look of a Warriors win at 5/6. I can’t see this being a high-scoring game either, so I’d be getting on under 45.5 points, at 10/11.
Sunday 1st June – Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
Penrith’s disastrous defence of their Premiership continued last week in a 6-25 loss to the Knights. That win dropped them to the foot of the ladder, but they’re still just three points shy of the finals places. They’re fast running out of time to claim one though.
The Eels had a morale-boosting 30-10 win over Manly last week, which pushed them up to 15th – one point ahead of this week’s opponents.
Team news
No surprise to see Penrith have named all of their Origin players this week as they look to save their season. Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin are all in the starting side. Scott Sorensen is also back from suspension, so Izack Tago shifts to his familiar role in the centres. Daine Laurie and Paul Alamoti have dropped out of the 17, along with Brad Schneider.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Luron Patea 17. Harrison Hassett 18. Brad Schneider 19. Riley Wake 20. Preston Riki 21. Daine Laurie 22. Jack Cole 23. Paul Alamoti 24. Austin Dias
Mitch Moses and Zac Lomax have been named to back up from Origin for the Eels, so Dean Hawkins and Will Penisini drop out. In Penisini’s case, he’s missing through concussion anyway, so Sean Russell switches to the centres to accommodate Lomax.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Sean Russell 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Joash Papali’i 18. Matt Doorey 19. Joey Lussick 20. Toni Mataele 21. Dean Hawkins 22. Samuel Loizou
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 28-14 Parramatta Eels
The Panthers have been leaving me with egg on my face almost every week in 2025, but I’m still backing them to come good. I can’t see them winning another Premiership and a top eight spot looks a long shot, but I’d expect them to jump a few places between now and September, and this week’s a great chance to get started.
Betting tips
The Panthers are 10/11 with a -4 handicap, which is where I’m going. Casey McLean and Izack Tago are priced at 15/8 and 21/10 respectively for an anytime try. That’s great value and while both of them might be a slight stretch, my money would be in McLean if I was going one or the other.
Sunday 1st June – Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Roosters pulled off one of the shocks of the season in Round 11, as they smashed the Sharks 42-16 despite missing a host of Origin stars. That huge win has them 11th, level on points with 8th-placed Brisbane.
Meanwhile, the Raiders continued their impressive year with a 10-16 win in Auckland against the Warriors. That lifted them above their opponents into 2nd, just two points off top spot.
Team news
Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson, Robert Toia and Angus Crichton have all been named to back up from Origin for the Roosters. Salesi Foketi and Egan Butcher drop to the bench, Makahesi Makatoa and Benaiah Ioelu drop to the reserves, and despite a try-scoring return last week, Dom Young also drops out of the 17.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher 18. Dominic Young 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Xavier Va’a 23. Ethan King 24. Chad Townsend
Owen Pattie will start this week in place of suspended Tom Starling for the Raiders. Hudson Young has been named to back up from Origin, which means Simi Sasagi shifts to the bench and Noah Martin drops out of the 17. Danny Levi will be the backup hooker for his first NRL game of 2025.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin 19. Trey Mooney 20. Jed Stuart 21. Pasami Saulo 22. Ethan Sanders
My prediction – Sydney Roosters 12-18 Canberra Raiders
The Raiders are a serious outfit this year and they won’t be daunted by a trip to Sydney. The Roosters have been outting some results together and look a good shout for the top eight, but with a number of players backing up from Origin against a red-hot Raiders, I can’t see them winning this.
Betting tips
The Raiders are 5/6 for the win, which looks great value. I can see it being a close game, so the 1-12 winning margin looks a good price too, at 2/1.
