South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

History is only ever a guide, but it can be a pretty handy guide to have. In their last three clashes the bunnies have racked up 121 points against their counterparts from the capital, including a very convincing victory during the 2012 finals series. Both sides have improved since then, but the Bunnies have taken themselves to a whole other level entirely. I can mount a case for the Raiders based on their ability to lift against the very best sides (I cite their efforts against the Storm in recent seasons as evidence), but I can't tip them. Potentially the game of the round, and a closer contest than many may expect.

Verdict – Rabbitohs

Result - Rabbitohs 32 defeated Raiders 2

Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday night – Leichhardt Oval

I'm willing to give credit where credit is due. The Tigers have, under difficult circumstances, performed pretty darn well in recent weeks.  Three wins from their last four is a mighty fine effort - and I didn't tip them once. I'm not tipping them here either. The loss of Widdop is a significant blow for the purple machine, but his replacement (Brett Finch) has a world of experience to draw on, and the big three look set to return. The Storm need to keep racking up wins to stay in touch with the Bunnies, and this is one team that knows how to rack up wins. 

Verdict – Storm

Result - Tigers 22 defeated Storm 4

Penrith Panthers vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday night – Centrebet Stadium

On paper this looks one of the closer games this weekend, but one needs to cast their mind back a few weeks to recall the last time these sides met. The Panthers won 19-0, and they did that away from home. I'm not completely sold on that Panthers backline but I do like their pack of forwards, and Segeyaro adds plenty of spark off the bench. I'm not sure the Panthers can score a lot of points but, as a rule, you don't need to score too many points to beat the Dragons.

Verdict – Panthers

Result - Panthers 25 defeated Dragons 10

Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – Hunter Stadium

The Knights haven't won a game in quite some time, but they've certainly been competitive. And it's worth noting that their last win was a Sunday afternoon game at home - a convincing 36 point win over the Bulldogs at that. It has, as a rule, been a timeslot where they perform their best. In fact, the last time they met the Titans was at 3pm on the Gold Coast, and they won that convincingly also. The Titans have been fantastic this season, but they're on a short back-up from Monday night and two of their most important contributors (Myles and Bird) have an even shorter back-up. The Knights at home.

Verdict – Knights

Result - Knights 46 defeated Titans 16

New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos – Sunday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

I'm sure the Broncos coach will remind his troops that their last performance against the Warriors was rather disappointing. The Warriors racked up 56 points at Suncorp and have been walking ten feet off the ground ever since. They followed that win with victories over two of the big guns in the NRL (Sea Eagles and Roosters) and they're on an express service to finals football if they keep it up. Don't disembark yet my kiwi friends - I want to see your mob in September. The Broncos will make a game of this so if you're keen on a bet I'd be taking the Warriors to win by 1-12 points at $3.15 or thereabouts.

Verdict – Warriors

Result - Warriors 18 defeated Broncos 16

North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

My selection here is based on the assumption that Jonathan Thurston is well enough to play. He was well enough to play on Wednesday night so it seems a fair assumption. He is one player who plays well for his club during the Origin period and that alone is enough reason for me to select them this weekend. James Tamou returns from suspension (providing someone has organised a lift) and I expect he'll be up for a big game. If he turns up in the right mindset and Matt Scott brings some of that Origin form to club football the Cowboys will be winning at home.

Verdict – Cowboys

Result - Cowboys 24 defeated Sharks 4

Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles – Monday night – Allianz Stadium

Manly are still playing some very good football but two wins in their last nine weeks must be some concern to coach Geoff Toovey. Seven weeks ago they faced the chickens at Brookvale and the chooks were simply too good. I can't see the Sea Eagles turning the tables, particularly now that the Roosters have unveiled another talented halfback in Sonny Bill Williams. Seriously...who saw that coming? A great game to close out the round. Chickens chickens chickens.

Verdict – Roosters

Result - Roosters 18 defeated Sea Eagles 12

Wally Lewis - round sixteen selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

• RABBITOHS vs Raiders
• Tigers vs STORM
• PANTHERS vs Dragons
• Knights vs TITANS
• WARRIORS vs Broncos
• COWBOYS vs Sharks
• ROOSTERS vs Sea Eagles