Round 2 of the NRL brought some tremendously surprising results, as the Chooks knocked off Penrith, the Warriors pipped Manly and the Raiders decemated the Broncos! Five teams remain undefeated in 2025, with the Storm, Raiders, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs and Knights all sitting pretty. The Jersey’s Megastore tips managed to jag five correct tips from the eight games, but this weekend has thrown up some absolute doozies to try and predict. As many of five games this weekend have no clear out and out favourite, and should make for a ripping weekend of rugby league. Let’s dive in and take a look at what we have in store for Round 3.
Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers:
Melbourne Storm come into this clash fresh off the bye, while the Penrith Panthers come in off the sorry end of one of modern rugby league’s greatest upsets. It was a most unusual performance from the four-peat premiers, who seemed to lack direction, missed nearly fifty tackles, and made an uncharacteristic amount of errors. The Penrith defence was off as well as the conceded 38 points. When you’re coming off a performance like that, there is one trip in football you do not want to be making, and thats taking on Melbourne in Melbourne. The Storm were commanding over the Eels in Round 1, and still sit as the favourites to win the premiership. While I expect a dramatically improved Panthers side to turn up on Thursday, I can’t see Penrith recovering enough in the space of a week, and will be tipping the Melbourne Storm by 14 points.
New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters:
Two of the three upset victors go head to head on Friday night, as the New Zealand Warriors take on the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters were tremendous in attack last week as they dismantled the Penrith defence, but were lacking on the opposite side of the ball, conceding 32 points of their own. New Zealand on the other hand, managed to restrict the attacking prowess of Manly to just 16 points- a truly remarkable effort. Both sides can score points, that’s no trouble. This game will be won on the back of who’s defence can hold on for longer. Unfortunately for the Chooks, there is something special about the Wahs on a Friday night at home. I’ll be tipping the Warriors by 8 points.
Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys:
The Brisbane Broncos were handed a humbling defeat when they travelled to Canberra over the weekend by the Raiders; which quite frankly, if handled right, is terrifying for the rest of the competition. A side with that much star power and strength in all areas, learning that they are not untouchable and that hard work beats talent, could spell disaster for a team lacking in their defence as badly as the North Queensland Cowboys are. Having conceded 78 points across their opening two games, and scoring just 24 of their own, this game could get ugly. Based on the lackluster performances put forward by the Cowboys in their first two games, I’m tipping the Broncos by 30+ points.
Cronulla Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs:
The Cronulla Sharks come into this game determined to keep cementing themselves as top four contenders, whilst somewhat surprisingly, the South Sydney Rabbitohs come in undefeated! The Bunnies narrowly escaped their match with the win over the Dragons, in part thanks to a lack of game awareness by the Red V playmakers; whereas the Sharks really sunk their teeth into the Cowboys. While the Bunnies are performing well, especially given they are missing key players, I’d suspect this Sharks outfit to be a little too classy for them this time around. I’m tipping the Sharks by 13 points.
Dolphins v Wests Tigers:
The Dolphins have looked good in patches over their first two weeks, despite not picking up a win in the Kristian Woolf era. The Wests Tigers on the other hand, looked like a completely different side last Sunday than they did in Round 1. The Tigers absolutely descemated the Eels, but can they maintain consistency and put two good performances together in a row? Consistency is not something Benji Marshall has been known for traditionally. A home game for the Dolphins helps their cause here, and I’ve got a feeling this is the week they finally put it all together under their new coach. I’m tipping the Dolphins by 14 points.
Gold Coast Titans v Newcastle Knights:
The Gold Coast Titans started very poorly against the Bulldogs at Belmore on Sunday, conceding 22 points in the first twenty minutes, and didn’t really ever look like scoring points until Matt Burton went down injured, moving Crichton out of his edge. The Newcastle Knights on the other hand, looked unstoppable. Kalyn Ponga is on a different planet this season and leads the Daly M Medal count having taken maximum points from both of his first two games. The Titans defence looked lazy, with big Tino and David Fifita not playing as many minutes as they probably could have. This one could slip away from the Gold Coast quickly if they allow Newcastle to start the way Canterbury did. I’m tipping the Knights by 22 points.
Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs:
Parramatta Eels have looked woeful in their opening two games, conceding 84 points so far. They are really missing the direction that Mitchell Moses provides, and Dylan Brown doesn’t seem to be commanding the side the way you might expect. Conversly, the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs have started hard and fast so far this year. They will be without Matt Burton and Villiame Kikau for the next four weeks, which will hurt the Dogs, but provides a good opportunity to really test the next-man-up mentality they are trying to instill at the club. The Dogs defence looks unbreakable when Crichton doesn’t have to move out of position, and it’s hard to see where the Eels points will come from. I’m tipping the Bulldogs by 13 points.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders:
This may be the genuine match of the round. Based on last week’s performances I could see this one going either way. With DCE and Turbo carrying injuries, the Raiders may have the upper hand going into this game. The last time these two teams met at 4 Pines Park, the Green Machine managed to edge out the win by 2 points. Coming off an absolute demolition job of the Broncos, the Raiders will be full of confidence too as they make the road trip up to the beach. I’d expect this game to be a nail biter, that may even go into golden point! Momentum is going to be absolutely key when these two teams take the field, and whoever can hold it for longer will walk away with the win. I’m tipping the Raiders by 1 point.
Round 3 of the NRL promises to be an absolute thriller, with several unpredictable matchups set to shake up the competition ladder. With powerhouses like the Storm, Raiders, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, and Knights remaining undefeated, this weekend’s fixtures will determine the early-season frontrunners. Whether you're backing your team from the stands or gearing up to watch from home, make sure you’re repping your team in style with the latest NRL jerseys, merchandise, and apparel from Jerseys Megastore. Browse our officially licensed NRL gear today and show your support loud and proud all season long! Jersey’s Megastore, for all things footy!
