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The preview panel for round 15 of the NRL.
PREVIEW OF NRL ROUND 15 MATCHES (all times AEDT):
THURSDAY, JUNE 27
Wests Tigers v South Sydney at Bankwest Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to head: Rabbitohs, 18, Tigers 15, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 11, 2019 - Rabbitohs 32 bt Wests Tigers 16 at ANZ Stadium
Having lost their last three, the Rabbitohs are desperate. They have received a massive boost with halfback Adam Reynolds returning from a fractured back and centre Braidon Burns from a hamstring injury. The Tigers have been hot and cold since their strong start to the season and were touched up by the Rabbits just a month ago.
Key: Cody Walker. With his halves partner Reynolds back, he has a chance to send a message to NSW's selectors.
Tip: Rabbitohs
FRIDAY, JUNE 28
St George Illawarra v North Queensland Cowboys at WIN Stadium, 6pm
Head to head: Cowboys 16, Dragons 15, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 1, 2019 - Cowboys 24 bt Dragons 12 at 1300SMILES Stadium
The Dragons must fire after six losses in their past seven games. Just one win outside the top eight, St George Illawarra need to launch a finals run with the first of three straight home games. The Cowboys are without suspended Queensland forward Josh McGuire and Coen Hess but welcome back Jordan McLean as they look to snap a two-game losing streak. Ex-Melbourne flyer Scott Drinkwater makes his Cowboys debut at fullback.
Key: Can Michael Morgan spark the Cowboys after slotting back into the No.6 jersey?
Tip: Dragons
Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm at Adelaide Oval, at 7.55pm
Head to head: Storm 20, Roosters 17, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 6, 2019 - Roosters 21 bt Storm 20 (GP) at AAMI Park
With a heavy turnout in rep round, both teams will have a compromised preparation. The spotlight will be on Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell, who was dumped by the Blues. He and Storm centre Will Chambers usually bring plenty of punch to their battle. The Roosters seem to have the Storm's number - although another tight one is on the cards.
Key: Storm playmaker Cam Munster must put his Origin disappointment behind him if they are to triumph.
Tip: Roosters
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
Gold Coast v Manly at Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Sea Eagles 10, Titans 9, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 11, 2019 - Titans 36 bt Sea Eagles 18 at Lottoland
They may be second last but Gold Coast appear to be Manly's bogey side with the Titans winning their last three clashes. While the Titans have lost six of their past eight, coach Garth Brennan has resisted rushing Ash Taylor back after personal leave. Sea Eagles and Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans links with NSW tormentors Jake and Tom Trbojevic in a bid to steer sixth-placed Manly to a third straight win.
Key: Can Titans prop Jarrod Wallace bounce back from horror Queensland display and blunt the powerhouse Manly pack?
Tip: Sea Eagles
Newcastle v Brisbane at McDonald Jones Stadium, 5.30pm
Head to head: Broncos 35, Knights 14, drawn 2
Last clash: Round 5, 2018 - Knights 15 bt Broncos 10 at McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle will be out to bounce back from their last round 30-point thumping by Melbourne which snapped their six straight winning streak. All eyes will be on Knights playmaker Mitchell Pearce after putting his hand up for the vacant NSW halves spot. The Broncos welcome back hooker Andrew McCullough and former Queensland forward Joe Ofahengaue from injury. Broncos' Queensland stars Matt Gillett, David Fifita and Corey Oates will hope to bounce back from Origin II.
Key: Who will win the front row battle between Brisbane prop Payne Haas and Newcastle's Daniel Saifiti?
Tip: Knights
Parramatta v Canberra at TIO Stadium, Darwin, 7.35pm
Head to head: Raiders 31, Eels 27, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 5, 2019 - Raiders 19 bt Eels 0 at GIO Stadium
Canberra will be a different team with hooker Josh Hodgson back from a thumb injury as they look to cement their top four spot. The Raiders have had the wood over the Eels in recent times, winning 11 of their last 13 meetings. The Eels have lurched from worrying losses to inspirational wins over the last few months. The return of playmaker Dylan Brown from a stress fracture in his back will hopefully provide some stability.
Key: The battle of the right wingers - Blake Ferguson v Jordan Rapana. Whoever can get their side's sets off to a flying start will go a long way to winning the game.
Tip: Raiders
SUNDAY, JUNE 30
Warriors v Penrith at Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm
Head to head: Panthers 24, Warriors 18, drawn 2
Last clash: Round 10, 2019 - Warriors 30 bt Panthers 10 at Panthers Stadium
Nathan Cleary misses the trip to Auckland, leaving the Panthers relying on former Warrior James Maloney to dictate play off the back of his Origin heroics. Penrith were at their lowest ebb when vanquished by the Warriors six weeks ago but have hit their straps over the last month while the Kiwi club are as patchy as ever.
Key: Maloney - after proving the difference for the Blues in State of Origin II, he has a chance to get the Panthers' season back on track.
Tip: Warriors
Canterbury v Cronulla at ANZ Stadium, 4.05pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 57, Sharks 43, drawn 3
Last clash: Round 25, 2018 - Sharks 30 bt Bulldogs 18 at ANZ Stadium
More changes for a Bulldogs side who will slide deeper into wooden spoon territory unless they find something that works. Jack Cogger returns to partner Kieran Foran in the halves while Michael Lichaa is at hooker against his former club. Sharks playmaker Shaun Johnson will be on a high following his dynamic Test showing with the Kiwis.
Key: Wade Graham - Looked back to his best in Origin II and could highly influential over the second half of Cronulla's season.
Tip: Sharks
