NRL 2025 – Round 15 preview, predictions and tips
It’s another reduced round in the NRL this week with Origin II on the horizon, so there’s only five games to preview. And I’ll warn you now, this week’s tips come with a huge disclaimer given that the pre-Origin rounds are always filled with unexpected results due to the number of players missing for their clubs.
Still, it’s not going to stop me having a go. And, even with some of the NRL’s best players missing this weekend, there are some absolute crackers on the cards, starting with a wounded Sharks up against a deflated Dragons…
- Thursday 12th June – Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Sharks Stadium, Sydney
- Friday 13th June – Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles- Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
- Saturday 14th June – Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters- McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Saturday 14th June – North Queensland Cowboys vs The Dolphins – Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
- Sunday 15th June – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – Accor Stadium, Sydney
*This week’s odds are from SkyBet and are correct at time of writing, on 10th June 2025.
Thursday 12th June – Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Sharks were heavily beaten last weekend, 10-40, by the Warriors at home. That followed a 42-16 loss to the Roosters in their previous game, but they remain 5th on the ladder.
As for the Dragons, they suffered a 56-6 humiliation at the hands of the Dolphins in Round 14. That loss dropped them down to 11th, but crucially they’re still level on points with 8th-placed Brisbane.
Team news
No Origin call-ups for the Sharks to contend with, so they’ve named their strongest possible team. Ronaldo Mulitalo is back from suspension, so Mawene Hiroti pushes in to the centres to replace the injured KL Iro. Toby Rudolf is named on the extended bench as he eyes a return from injury.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Toby Rudolf 22. Billy Burns
Valentine Holmes is missing for the Dragons due to Origin. Corey Allan comes into the centres and Tyrell Sloan is back on the wing for the injured Christian Tuipulotu. Emre Guler comes into the starting side too, while Luciano Leilua replaces Raymond Faitala-Mariner, who’s ill. Hame Sele is on the bench for what will be his first NRL game of 2025.
Dragons team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Nathan Lawson 3. Moses Suli 4. Corey Allan 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Toby Couchman 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Hame Sele 18. Blake Lawrie 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Michael Molo 21. Nicholas Tsougranis 22. Sione Finau
My prediction – Cronulla Sharks 28-10 St George Illawarra Dragons
I’m expecting a reaction from the Sharks this week, and with no players missing to Origin, there should be no excuses. The Dragons are more than capable of turning them over, but I can’t see it this week in the Shire.
Betting tips
The Sharks are 5/6 with a -10.5 handicap, which I like the look of. In the try scoring market, there’s not much value with the home players, so Tyrell Sloan to score anytime for the Dragons looks well priced at 6/5.
Friday 13th June – Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles- Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Form guide
The Titans remain rock bottom of the ladder after last weekend’s 44-14 battering at the hands of Brisbane Broncos. That made it three straight losses for Gold Coast, but the ladder’s so tight this year, they remain just four points outside the top eight.
Manly, meanwhile, must be the most inconsitent team in the comp this year. After an impressive win over the Broncos in Round 13, they were beaten by Newcastle last week, meaning they haven’t had back-to-back victories since Rounds 3 and 4. Last week’s loss also saw them drop out of the top eight, but only on points difference.
Team news
Beau Fermor has been dropped by Queensland for Origin II, so he starts for the Titans this week. Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and prop Moeaki Fotuaika are both in camp with the Maroons, so Klese Haas starts at lock and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui joins the bench alongside Josh Patston, who’ll make his NRL debut. Tuki Simpkins is also on the bench for his first NRL game since 2021.
Titans team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sean Mullany 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Josh Patston 17. Tukimihia Simpkins 18. Arama Hau 19. Tom Weaver 20. Sam Verrills 21. Ben Liyou 22. Ryan Foran
Manly have some big names back this week, including fullback Tom Trbojevic, winger Jason Saab and prop Siosiua Taukeiaho. Daly Cherry-Evans also plays after being dropped by Queensland. Taukeiaho’s return sees Jazz Tevaga shift to the bench and Toafofoa Sipley move to 18th man. Lehi Hopoate is missing due to concussion protocols.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Matthew Lodge
My prediction – Gold Coast Titans 12-30 Manly Sea Eagles
Manly are another side looking to bounce back this weekend, and everything’s pointing towards an away win. The Sea Eagles have three big names back, plus the inclusion of DCE, while the Titans are missing arguably their two best forwards to Origin.
Betting tips
Manly should be safe with a -11.5 handicap, at 5/6. I’m also getting on Manly to win by 13+ and under 50.5 points in the match as a double, which pays 7/2.
Saturday 14th June – Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters- McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Form guide
The Knights picked up a much-needed victory in Round 14, seeing off Manly, 26-22 in Golden Point. They remain 15th on the ladder, but they’re just two points outside the top eight.
The Roosters had the bye in Round 14, following an agonising defeat to the Raiders the previous week. They’re 10th on the ladder, and outside the top eight on points difference.
Team news
Kalyn Ponga is away with Queensland, so Fletcher Sharpe moves to fullback for the Knights and Jackson Hastings comes in for his first game of the season in the halves. Tyson Frizell is out with concussion, so Mat Croker starts at prop and Matt Arthur joins the bench.
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Mathew Croker 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Tyrone Thompson 20. Mason Teague 21. Brock Greacen 22. Wilson De Courcey
The Roosters have been given a huge boost with Sam Walker playing in the NRL for the first time since last September due to an ACL injury. Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Robert Toia and Spencer Leniu are all away on Origin duty, so there are a number of changes to the side. Dom Young comes in on the wing, Zach Dockar-Clay joins the bench, and Naufahu Whyte and Nat Butcher are both back from injury.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Salesi Foketi 11. Egan Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 17. Nat Butcher 18. Ethan King 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Taylor Losalu 21. Tom Rodwell 23. Delasalle Va’a
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 10-20 Sydney Roosters
The Roosters proved me wrong in the buildup to Origin I when their under-strength side put 42 on Cronulla, so I can’t go against them again – especially against a Knights side with the worst attack in the comp and no Kalyn Ponga.
Betting tips
James Tedesco has scored in each of his last two games for the Roosters, and with the superstar fullback being snubbed for NSW again, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him fired up this weekend. He’s the best value when it comes to Roosters anytime try scorers, at 11/8. You can also get 2/1 on him to score anytime and the Roosters to win.
In the outright win market, the Roosters are only 2/5, so I’m backing them with a -7.5 handicap, at 5/6.
Saturday 14th June – North Queensland Cowboys vs The Dolphins – Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Form guide
The Cowboys went down 38-14 in Melbourne last week, which leaves them with just one win from their past five games. They still sit 6th though – a point inside the top eight.
Round 14 was a record-breaking one for the Dolphins as they beat the Dragons 56-6 to pick up their biggest ever win. That propelled them up to 7th on the ladder.
Team news
The Cowboys are missing Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson to Origin, plus John Bateman and Viliami Vailea to suspension. So, the returns of Murray Taulagi, Kai O’Donnell and Jason Taumalolo are very timely. Braidon Burns, Jake Clifford, Thomas Mikaele and debutant Kaiden Lahrs all come into the 17.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Braidon Burns 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Karl Lawton 10. Coen Hess 11. Sam McIntyre 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kaiden Lahrs 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Semi Valemei 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Mason Kira
For the Dolphins, Jake Averillo shifts to fullback and Max Feagai comes into the centres with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow away on Origin duty. Ray Stone returns from a shoulder injury on the bench to replace the injured Max Plath.
Dolphins team: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Ray Stone 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Harrison Graham 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Junior Tupou
My prediction – North Queensland Cowboys 14-26 The Dolphins
The Dolphins should be full of confidence coming into this one, and they’re less affected by Origin than the Cowboys, whose recent form doesn’t give me any confidence in backing them.
Betting tips
The Dolphins are 5/6 with a -5.5 handicap, which I’m jumping straight on. I’m also backing Jamayne Isaako to score 2 or more tries at 3/1. He’s crossed for three in his past two games, including a double last weekend.
Sunday 15th June – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Rabbitohs let a 12-point lead slip in the capital last week, as they were blown away by the Raiders, 36-12. They’re down in 12th on the ladder, but still level on points with 8th-placed Brisbane.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, bounced back from an 8-44 hammering at the hands of the Dolphins in their previous game to see off the Eels, 30-12, in Round 14. They remain top of the ladder – two points clear of Canberra.
Team news
The Rabbitohs are missing Latrell Mitchell to Origin and Cody Walker to a groin injury he picked up in his comeback last week. Jye Gray will go to fullback, Jayden Sullivan moves to number 6 and Jamie Humphreys will partner him in the halves after starting on the bench last week. Davvy Moale replaces him on the interchange.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Tyrone Munro 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. Davvy Moale 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Ryan Gray 19. Campbell Graham 20. Lewis Dodd 21. Fletcher Myers 22. Jacob Host
Lachlan Galvin will make his first start for the Bulldogs after scoring a try off the bench in the win over Parramatta on his club debut. He replaces Matt Burton, who’s away on Origin duty. Kurt Mann, Stephen Crichton and Max King are all in Origin camp too, so Jacob Kiraz shifts to the centres, Blake Wilson comes in on the wing, Josh Curran shifts to front row and Jacob Preston returns from suspension. Jake Turpin and Kurt Morrin come onto the bench.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Jake Turpin 15. Harry Hayes 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Enari Tuala 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 12-18 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
If it wasn’t for Origin I’d have no hesitation in backing the Bulldogs in this one, but they’re missing some big names. That said, Souths aren’t the same side without Latrell Mitchell and I’d expect the Doggies to be much improved on their last pre-Origin game when they were destroyed by the Dolphins. This could be a close one, but I’m tipping the table-toppers to edge it.
Betting tips
I wouldn’t be shocked to see Souths nick this, so the 5/6 on them with a +7.5 handicap looks good in what should be a tight game. Lachlan Galvin scored a try on his Bulldogs debut on Monday, and the 5/2 on him to cross again looks a good price to me.
