Round ten selections

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

I bring this up every time these sides met, but I do so because it's so darn true - the Rabbitohs record against the Storm is awful. The last time they beat the Storm was in 2010 in Perth, and that was the year the Storm weren't playing for points. So the question I'm asking myself is 'has anything changed?'. My answer is a tentative and rather sheepish 'yes'. The wins Melbourne have picked up this season have been hard-fought and narrow, and they're conceding more than 23 points (on average) a game - it is all very un-Storm like. Rather oddly, Melbourne haven't won away from home since round one, and the Bunnies haven't won at home since round one. This will be close, but Laurie Daley wouldn't mind an excuse to pick Adam Reynolds for NSW and I'll take the Bunnies.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 4

Result - Storm 27 defeated Rabbitohs 14

Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

The third-placed Titans take on the 11th placed Broncos, yet the Titans are the rankest outsider going around in the NRL this weekend. It strikes me as odd, particularly when the Titans beat the Broncos not so long ago in round six. Greg Bird won't play and he's a big loss, but the back row they have named (Minichiello, Taylor and Harrison) is pretty handy. I like the Titans prop forwards (Myles and Douglas) and they have some handy big men on the bench to keep working the Broncos over. I like the Titans halves, I prefer the Titans kicking game and they have a better goal-kicker if the game is a close one (and it will be). Maybe I'm missing something but at $3.05 they look like a decent bet (punters be warned - Thinker, Friday night, Broncos game etc etc).

Verdict – Broncos by 4* (NOTE: Tipsters beware. Since the time of publication the Titans have ruled out Harrison, Kelly and Gordon. I'm relenting and changing my selection to the Broncos, and a price way beyond $3.05 will be readily available if you still like the Titans. Apologies for any confusion).

Result - Broncos 22 defeated Titans 8

Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday afternoon – Pirtek Stadium

When Mrs Thinker calls me soft I don't like it, and I can't imagine a rugby league team likes hearing it either. For that reason, and almost that reason alone, I'm tipping the Dragons to bounce back and surprise us all this weekend. My other reason, the Eels are on a short back-up and they might suffer some sort of come-down after getting themselves up for the Johnny Mannah Cup last weekend. It's a hunch....trust me, I'm on fricken fire this season.

Verdict – Dragons by 2

Result - Eels 36 defeated Dragons 0 (oops)

Cronulla Sharks vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night - Remondis Stadium

Yes I'm tipping the Tigers this weekend, so that makes it three upsets in three successive games for the Thinkster. If I could afford the seven beans to visit my GP I'd book in and get my prescriptions re-assessed. The Sharks have the same short back-up as the Eels, and Robbie Farah and Braith Anasta return for the Tigers to help steady the black and orange ship. The Sharks are deadset struggling, and without Andrew Fifita that monstrous interchange bench for the Tigers will be finding plenty of metres through the middle. Nurse!!!

Verdict – Tigers by 2

Result - Tigers 22 defeated Sharks 20

North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

If Mitchell Pearce is going to miss a week, then the 'Women in League' round is probably the right week to miss. Flinders St East isn't exactly Kings Cross, but let's hope Mr Pearce keeps things under control in Townsville on Saturday night. Sonny Bill Williams slots into the halves which is worth watching all on its own. The Roosters are slight favourites but I'm on some sort of roll with the roughies so here comes another one. The Cowboys impressed me last weekend, and I saw enough from Cameron King to suggest the lofty expectations many up north hold for the young man may come to fruition. 

Verdict – Cowboys by 2

Result - Cowboys 42 defeated Roosters 10

Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium

Does any side actually improve under the tutelage of Ricky Stuart? The Roosters are a better team now that he's gone. The Sharks became a better team after he left. The Eels are a better team since he left. And now he's waved his magic wand all over the Canberra Raiders and turned them into a pile of goo. Take a look at that Panthers backline, and then take a look at the Raiders troops that have been tasked with stopping them. Back every Panther, numbers 1 through to 5, to score a try this weekend. Or just back the Panthers. Gamble responsibly etc etc.

Verdict – Panthers by 10

Result - Panthers 26 defeated Raiders 20

Canterbury Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – Waikato Stadium

Des 'we live underneath the radar' Hasler has been singing the same tune since 1988, but it's clearly a song that works for him. After his team demolished an opponent last weekend he went out of his way to remind the throng of microphones that the Roosters, Rabbits and Storm were all coming good and they were the teams to watch. I don't disagree with him, but when your team is standing alone at the top of the table and you've won six games in a row it's not so easy to wear the under(bull)dogs tag. Note the home ground advantage or disadvantage here - its difficult to know with the Warriors. I'm still haunted by the Warriors extraordinary loss to the Bulldogs last time they met. I can't tip them again because it still hurts (I'd see a doctor about the pain but, you know, seven beans).

Verdict – Bulldogs by 2

Result - Bulldogs 16 defeated Warriors 12

Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights – Monday night – Brookvale Oval

I tipped the Knights last weekend and they exposed me as the fool that I am. Foolish I may be, but not so foolish that I would entertain anything other than a Sea Eagles victory on Monday night. Manly don't have Jamie Lyon, Glenn Stewart or Keiran Foran, but they were unlucky not to beat the Storm in Melbourne last weekend...that's good enough for me.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 4

Result - Sea Eagles 15 defeated Knights 14

Wally Lewis - round ten selections (in bold)

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

  • RABBITOHS vs Storm
  • BRONCOS vs Titans
  • EELS vs Dragons
  • SHARKS vs Tigers
  • Cowboys vs ROOSTERS
  • Raiders vs PANTHERS
  • BULLDOGS vs Warriors
  • SEA EAGLES vs Knights

Comments

Niko's picture

Rabbits
broncos
eels
tigers
roosters
panthers
warriors
sea eagles

harry's picture

storm - they have a good record against souths, winning 14 of the past 16 clashes, and are bound to start clicking under bellamys anger.
broncos - due for a win, should be close, but home ground advantage to take them over the line.
dragons- potential attacking power with benji and short turn around for eels. feel an upset here.
sharks- they've played well at home, and should CRoss the line over a depleted tigers squad. sharks forward pack should challange the Tigers.
Cowboys- the team will lift for JTs 200th game and are hard to beat at home. espically with the roosters missing pierce.
Canberra - surely they can bring a win to the fans at the home base. the panthers haven't won back to back games this year and are due for a loss.
warriors- improved significantly over the past 2 weeks. the doggies play great football and are due for a loss infront of a New Zealand home crowd and team looking for revenge after their one point loss last time around.
sea eagles- knights playing trash and eagles at home. can't see an upset here.

would love feedback on my tips, first time doing this :)

mark ashford's picture

Hi Harry...welcome aboard. The more the merrier!
Rabbits. Storm are struggling for their wins.
Broncos. Time to show little brother who's boss.
Eels. Most improved team in the comp.
Tigers. Sharks are too busy looking over their shoulders.
Cowboys. FNQ heat and "on-a-roll" Cowboys too much.
Panthers. Will get their first back to back over poor Raiders.
Bulldogs. Too much fire power even though Warriors improving.
Manly. Knights looking a good bet for the spoon.
an

christine forb10's picture

afternoon everyone, we should all be complementing the thinker for his efforts for the last two rounds he is absolutely flying & at this rate he'll be leading the comp soon . way to go thinker good for you .

Niko's picture

Lol christine you must have some high hopes for thinker but eh atleast somebody does

Johnny Ray's picture

Yeah hey there everybody ! Three from eight last week so I won't blame you if you don't want to follow me this round as I admit to you I made some really bad calls last week. Still cool dude, lets do this !

Storm -The Storm are The Rabbitohs bogey team. It doesn't matter how good Bunnies are going or how bad Storm have been, Storm always find way to win. Take half time, full time draw and don't be surprise this thing turns out to be draw. Storm by point.

Titans - It's my Birthday on Friday, that's why I picking them to win here as Titans are one of my teams, though cool I hate to say it, I think Harry is correct (Welcome aboard mate !). The Titans by eight points ...

Eels - Man, if you told me that this year Paramatta would be one of the in form teams of comp I would say you were crazy ! If you told me they could be pushing their way into top eight spot when we're not even half way through comp I would ask you show me place where Leprechaun tells you burn things because that would be completely nuts ! Eels by fourteen points ...

Sharks - Sharks are starting to come right, though you wouldn't think but there was lot of positives for them to come out of there game on Monday. I'm picking them to get points at home against West Tigers in spite of ASADA investigation . Codral Sharks by six points ...

Cowboys - These are two teams I'm picking to play in grand final this year in October. I'm not picking them to win in October but I am picking them to win here. Cowboys by four points ...

Raiders - Another Sticky coached side is starting to come apart still I am going with Raiders to win here as they have lot more to play for here in front of home crowd than Penrose Panthers. Raiders by eight points ...

Bulldogs - I can't believe I'm saying this, I'm still not completely sold on Warriors being back to their best because they're going to have to be at there best to beat number one team on Ladder. I know we share same birthday me and Warriors (only I'm ten years older) still I can't see them having same sort party this weekend as the one I'm having. They do I'm bringing Jello Shots and Strippers to Simon Mannering's place. Bulldogs by ten points ...

Sea Eagles - I rather watch documentary on Astronaut in diapers that drove cross country across America to be with her lover that's on at same time on Discovery Channel than watch this game, still, I know will. Sucks to be me ! Sea Eagles by sixteen points ...

Thanks alot Thinker ! Go Warriors ! Kiwi Power ! Peow ! Peow ! ;-D

a's picture

Thinker I have no idea what your talking about Rabbitohs beat the Storm in the finals last year in you said they have not won since 2010 very wrong for sure

The Thinker's picture

Afternoon a,

Well by heck you are right. That will teach me to rely on the official NRL website as a source of truth. From now on I'll try and get a second opinion, although at seven beans a pop it's going to get expensive.

In any case the Storm have won 14 of the last 16 encounters (and one of those two losses was the salary cap scandal season)...so its a pretty definitive record.

I'll leave my comments above as they are. That way you don't look like an id!0t and I do.

christine forb10's picture

Niko i was being sincere about the thinker the last two rounds he is turning his season around & i do have hopes for him , got to give credit were credit is due lol if you wish to but do it quitely okay he'll hear you

The Thinker's picture

Line-up update - Ashley Harrison ruled out for the Titans against the Broncos. An upset win for the Titans just got harder...but I'll stick

Guru Craig's picture

The Guru has the answers to the budget blues... If we give uncle Rupert a call to let him know James' good mate is about to offer the Thinker a contract, then Jimmy James will have no option but to outbid, as we know he wont be pushed about...we could use the cash injection to offset the damage caused by Hurricane Hockey, and while we're there, join the Millennium club and get 'Joe n Tone' to have a look at the video ref's...membership is like a genie in a bottle, rub that fat belly and make a wish, so long as you can afford said wish...all is golden.

Souths – Bellyache must be sweating like Hockey at a press conference, with Origin around the corner and the cupboard bare but for a handful of points, Melbourne's task gets no easier with The Bunnies showing decent form. The Storm will give it a go and the score should be close, but The Guru doesn’t think they're good enough. Sths 1-12

Brisbane – The Guru will be in the stands with Mrs Guru for the Women in league round, better seats hopefully will bring a better result. The Guru is in the 'Gold' section on Friday night and this game will be the Guru's Gold tip of the round. Brisbane were outplayed last week by the Cowboys but they showed promise and man for man will be good enough to topple the falling Titans. Hodgo is in doubt, Sam is some chance and Maranta is on stand-by

Eels – Benji StGeorge will probably play, is what the Guru hears, but alas like the Thinker, The 'G' is battening down the hatches for cyclone Tony and tightening the belt means the old ears will have to wait. Para should have enough points as both sides will be focused on defence, at least until the second half where the Hayne plain...or someone else will break the Dragons back. Para 1-12.

Tigers – Nostrildamas is back and sniffing for a Blue jersey. Thats enough to cover the Sharks, who dont look ready for 80min games at NRL level. The Tigers discipline should improve with Robbie leading and the mention of several fringe Cockroaches will see a Tigers victory. If Beau really knows best, he'll sit this one out, last weeks effort was um, interesting from the CH9 champ.

Cowboys – Matt Scott...if you saw last weeks game you know what The 'G' is saying, if not, too bad. Scott smashed through the Bronco's defence with the snarl and aggression The Bronco's have missed since Gordy left. He ran for about 300km and made roughly 10000 tackles, that effort with JT's magic could win a comp, could. Sydney did win the comp last year and people seem to be getting excited, wait till next week Roosters fans NQ have got this.

Canberra – The final script is in and its green, last week the Guru predicted this, now its upto the boys to lift for Ricky, the battler is in trouble and mansions dont come cheap. The home town club will need to be at its best, Ivan's got his side preforming and after last week the Pennies will be confident, too confident The Guru predicts, as TV scripts don’t get any better. The Coach by 1-12.
(caution though, the Thinker has a point, Penrith are much better)

Doggies – How good are Des's Dogs going? A lot better than The Chooks and Melb that’s for sure, the Thinker is onto something about 'Under the Radar Des'. The Bulldogs beat the Warriors by a point last time, the Guru thinks Des an Co are good enough to do it by at least 2 this time.

Manly – The good people at Brookvale oval may need a back-up copy of the Eagle Rock tape, NoWincastle is in town, The Guru wont call this mob Wayne's boys, because if they were, they would listen to the great man, evidently, they don't. As seen last week when they got thrashed in front of a very healthy home crowd. Wayne wouldn’t tell them to play that rubbish. The old saying from a few seasons ago about two cars welded together springs to mind, bloody thing seems to have odd size wheels now too! Manly 19+ or 30

Guru Craig's picture

The Guru's golden orb of confusion, slightly mis-read last weeks predictions, the RBTs an XTCs weren't needed in Newcastle but father south a bit in the Cross, the NRL's Playboy dating superstar WP got himself a bit upset, its ok though he's apologised as is the fashion with Sydney's finest Roosters, The Guru remembers Freddy had a case of liquid induced temporary amnesia, on a footpath, while the other Guru, Gus was running the clipboards down that way. Proud traditions, now lose in TSV.

The Joker's picture

Souths, Broncos, Dragons, Tigers, Cowboys, Raiders, Dogs, Manly

The Animal's picture

Hola Everyone,

Rabbits - I write that with The Thinkers stat quotes ringing in my ears, but all the same bad streaks can't last forever.

Broncos - Hoping that their losing streak (for the last two games anyway) too, is coming to an end.

Dragons - Usually i'll tip them, regardless of what I deep down know the outcome will be (usually a loss) This week I feel uneasy about it and nearly went with Para, but when I do tips against my beloved saints they almost always win. I'm second guessing my intuition here.

Tigers - Cronulla = pretty crap. Tigers = a little less so.

Cowboys - Going for the upset here.

Raiders - Coz it's about bloody time.

Bulldogs - Been playing so good, and speaking of streaks theirs too will come to and end, but it will be a better team than the Warriors to do it.

Manly - No comment needed.

Geeze, write bugger all yet these decisions just took me hours. How do I survive without the footy season ...

Lady Di-saster's picture

Sorry all ... finally signed up good n proper and just wanna see me piccy. Feel free to delete JohnnyRay.org ... sorry I meant The Thinker ... tra-la-la-la-lee .... skips off

christine forb10's picture

Thinker heads up you might want to re think taking titans because i just learnt that albert kelly is sidelined with a hamstring stain & kevin gorden is sidelined with knee knock & illness so it's up to you what you do but i would n't be taking titans.

a's picture

Here are my tips

Rabbitohs by 2 It going to be a good game I know but serve me up a rabbit please

Broncos by 10 I think Broncos to win here

Eels by 2 I think Eels to win narrowly here

Sharks by 2 I think Sharks to win in a cliff hanger here

Cowboys by 6 Go Cowboys I think you can have a win and be a Wrecking Ball to the Roosters

Panthers by 8 their is one way to describe Canberra awful crap sh!t Panthers all the way for win but Raiders will not concede 50 this week at least

Bulldogs by 6 I think Bulldogs can do it this week

Sea Eagles by 6 I well well well I would love Manly to lose but against the Knight I do not see them wreck wreck them Manly but I hope their wrong

The Joker's picture

Late Mail
Souths by 2 (Storm will fight hard late but i expect bunnies defence to go up a notch)

Broncos by 16 (a show off performance to a home crowd at Suncorp)

Dragons by 6 (expect a huge game from both Hayne and Dougan.. Dougan being the better performer, Haynes injection lasting only until half time when the eels lead the dragons by 6 only to be beaten in the second half)

Tigers by 12 (I am predicting a few more injuries here for the sharks, gallen may limp off)

Roosters by 6 (Minichello will have a blinder of a game, thurston will be very tired and a little sore after this match)

Canberra by 4 ( I'll predict raiders to get off to a flying start, panthers to close the gap late in the second half, panthers to score first second half, raiders to close out the match )

Bulldogs by 18 (another show off performance, too many errors by the kiwis, Josh Reynolds man of the match)

Manly by 12 (i expect a much improved knights side here and they should pull a few tricks out of the hat, i still see manly more consistent over the 80 min and extending the lead in the 2nd half)

Goodluck All!

The Thinker's picture

Christine,
Thanks for the heads up. I have relented, and can confirm that all those players have been formally ruled out. Apologies everyone...it's the Broncos for me.

The Twinker's picture

Rabbits - Too big too strong

Broncos - Titans have way to many injuries

Eels - Whos Benji Marshall ?

Sharks - The sharks will want the win more then the tigers

Cowboys - Roosters will be hurt by the loss of Pearce

Raiders - Panthers should lose this one since the won last round seems to be their trend ATM lol

Warriors - Warriors are on fire ATM and the Bulldogs are due for a loss

Manly - Need I say more

newbie from perth's picture

Hi everyone,

Very happy my beloved Roosters got home last week and moved up to 4th as I had hoped for. Not so happy with entertainment dished out by MP. Oh Mitchell, what got into that head of yours my son? Actually it might be better to ask what got into your bloodstream. I know shouldn’t, but I will forgive you just this once but no more OK? Good, now that that’s been dealt with, onto this week’s tips…

Rabbits - I know I’m not as knowledgeable as the rest of you but the Stormers aren’t convincing me of late, even after last week’s get out of jail act.

Titans - this is really hard. I could take the easy way out and bow to the combined experience and wisdom of The Thinker, King Wally and of course, the Guru, and go the Bucking Broncos but from where the Newbie stands, the Titans look good things. Maybe I don’t understand the nuances of form and so on fully yet,but until I do, I’m gonna go with my gut.

Eels - it’s the slippery ones for me again. STG just not consistent enough for me yet.

Tigers - they’ve getting RF and BA back this week I’m led to believe plus some guy returning after a 2 week “holiday”. Might bring back some much needed stability? Let’s see…

Roosters - as I always say, who else am I gonna tip? Yeah it’s JT’s 200th and we have no MP. Just hope our line break ability and great support play can get us the bickies in this one. It’ll be a big ask but you never know. BTW, at 108kgs, would SBW be the world’s biggest five-eighth ever? Sheesh!

Panthers - seriously, does Ricky actually know how to coach? I may not know much about football but I do know most every team that RS has coached hasn’t had much success under his reign. Don’t get me wrong, he was a damn fine player in his day (I’m old enough to remember watching him on the telly all those years ago) but that doesn’t always mean you’ll end up being a good coach does it? I’d love to be proven wrong, more so for Ricky’s sake, but it doesn’t look promising as the points differential of -96 suggests (worst in the league I see from the Thinkers ladder). I think I read somewhere that the Panthers haven’t won 2 in a row so far this year. Really? Newbie thinks this might change on the weekend.

Doggies – for me, the Doggies just “keep on keepin’ on”. Until they lose, the Newbie can’t see any reason to tip against them. Woof-woof!

Manly - they were seriously hard done by last week. Should’ve won that but hey, they only have themselves to blame for that as I saw it. No chance of being unlucky this week though. Unless of course, the football gods wish to make a fool of me that is. Boys from Brookie for me.

OK people, good luck with your tipping this week and good luck to your team as well. Cheers.

P.S. Happy Birthday Johnny Ray! How’s it feel to finally crack 30? Enjoy…

Steel Panther's picture

This is shaping up to be a tough round with little consistency amongst all the tipsters so here goes my shot at a full round

Rabbits - I can't ignore the stats but those stats have been built on the Melbourne of old. The Storm were always the first team I'd lock in each week but not anymore.

Broncos - You can't ignore the injury list for the Titans, home ground advantage and the fact that it has been seven years since the Titans beat Brisbane at Suncorp.

Dragons - I thought the Eels were lucky last week against an average Cronulla side. Run away tries and the bounce of the ball favoured them. One win in their last eight against the Red V swings me.

Sharks - Stats say you should be picking the Tigers but reluctantly I'm going to give the Sharks the nod for another week. I think lose this weekend and their season is virtually over. Let's hope Michael Gordon and Jeff Robson turn it around after poor displays against the Eels last round.

Cowboys - Very tough call but hopefully JT playing his 200th game for the home side will provide enough inspiration for his team mates.

Raiders - I strayed from picking Penrith last week on the back of their W-L-W record but they were true to form so that means they are due to lose this week. Seriously though I'm expecting the Raiders to bounce back after the positional changes they have made.

Warriors - Since it's Johnny Ray's birthday today the Warriors will win for him this weekend. Dogs are due for a loss.

Manly - After letting me down badly last week I can't tip Newcastle who have not won at Brookvale for eight years.

Happy Birthday JR and good luck to everyone!!

ThisGuy's picture

Hey everyone,

Good to see Johnny getting his tips in on time this week. My tips for this week:

Swans
Tigers
Kangaroos
Cats
Suns

Good luck!

a's picture

This Guy go and find a AFL site this is NRL not AFL

Nik's picture

Storm, Broncos, Dragons, Tigers, Cowboys, Riders, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles

The Animal's picture

Happiest of birthdays to you Johnny Ray .. ill have a drink or few for ya.
Any excuse will do haha.

The Animal's picture

Happiest of birthdays to you Johnny Ray .. ill have a drink or few for ya.
Any excuse will do haha.

ThisGuy's picture

Looks like you might have had a few already Animal

rexv's picture

Happy Bday Johnny Ray
Might see if I can do a complete pick again, but dought it,
Rabbitohs by 8 - storm not good enough yet
Brisbane by 16 - Titans without bird and Broncos due for a win
Eels by 10 - To quick for Dragons even with Benji
Sharks by 2 - well flip of the coin really
Cowboys by 8 - go the Cowboys
Panthers by 20 - Raiders Hmmmm
Dogs by 1 - Home ground advantage, Warriors are coming back
Manly by 30+ - Knights are Gooooonnnne

rexv's picture

P.S> best of luck everyone - GO Queensland

Steel Panther's picture

Just when you think the Storm have lost their mojo the Storm of old turn up. Good win for them last night that will shut up some of the doubters (like me). And sorry guys but I thought the Broncos looked ordinary last night against a severely depleted Titans outfit who even went down to a two man bench during the game.

a's picture

3 in a row for the Cowboys well done

Guru Craig's picture

From row 6 of the western stand The 'G' had a decent view of the Bronco's v Titans and could actually hear Hodgo screaming for the ball, after 30min someone heard him and on his first real touch set up "ohh I didn't know he was that pretty" Copley for a try (Mrs Guru comment there) She bumped into Hook too at half time outside the member's lounge.

Without Hodges The Broncos would have struggled, full stop. He was involved in everything from yelling at Dally M Ben to, well yelling at him some more, JH was not a happy man.

Maybe the Broncs should give Gilly a call... He still looked hard enough out there to have a number on his back. They could definitely use him.

mark ashford's picture

Hey Guru. Thanks for the Broncos comments. You're 100% correct even the channel 9 talking heads kept saying "get it to Hodges plenty of space on that side etc" Seems like I heard it about a dozen times.
How about that Storm eh? just when you thought....ha-ha bring on origin1.
Josh Reynolds for the Dogs is a top little player pity he's such a grub. Obviously spent too much time watching Ennis play.
Thaiday is out of origin1 ...who gets the nod????

christine forb10's picture

Queensland to win origin

a's picture

Yes they will

a's picture

Since you have got every origin right in the past few years I think you should tip QLD to win

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