Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Thursday night – Suncorp Stadium

It's hard to win two NRL premierships in a row. It's really hard. It's easier to win two wooden spoons in a row, and the Broncos find themselves in danger of finding out. Last week they were soundly beaten by a team who had forgotten how to win, but at least they'll appreciate being back home where conditions are cold but not polar cold. They are on a short turnaround and take on a team that I still think have genuine premiership credentials. Last week the Rabbitohs accounted for the Knights and they did that without Murray, Cook, Gagai and Arrow who have all been named here. Jayden Su'A played for Queensland in the first Origin game, and he can't even make the interchange bench for the Bunnies. The Rabbitohs spine are all-stars, while the Broncos spine looks like...I can't even say it.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 16

Result – Rabbitohs 46 defeated Broncos 0

North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks – Friday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

The Cowboys will be glad to be heading home too, after leaking 50 points on a cold night on the northern beaches of Sydney. Their record at home is much better than that, but I can't forget the round four clash between these sides when the Sharks had their biggest win of the year (48-10). A win here and they replace the Cowboys in the top eight. Sometimes tipping brings no joy, and this is one of those occasions. A close game to be sure, but I'll take the Sharks in an upset.

Verdict – Sharks by 1

Result – Sharks 26 defeated Cowboys 24

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – Bluebet Stadium

A nice little testing period here for the Panthers - after two successive losses they have the Chooks on Friday and the Eels in round 16. The return of five of their Origin stars will (obviously) make a world of difference, but they do lose Kikau to a hamstring injury. The Chooks have some big names returning too - with Tedesco, Taukeiaho and Sam Verrills (and his funny eyes). Sam Walker has been named but he could be carrying a troublesome shoulder into this contest - I'm sure he'd relish the chance to take on the young guns at the Panthers. The Panthers have played top eight sides five times this year and won them all...often convincingly. I have to pick them at home.

Verdict – Panthers by 4

Result – Panthers 38 defeated Roosters 12

Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium

Some very important inclusions for both sides - Ponga, Pearce, Hunt and Klemmer return for the Knights, while Reece Walsh returns from suspension from the Warriors. The fullbacks for both sides will be scrutinised by QLD Origin selectors. It's looking less likely that either of these sides will make the top eight this year, and I suspect the Warriors will be starting to think about (finally) going home. The Knights are at home on Saturday, and it's a big weekend for one of the Newcastle's favourite sons (Mark Hughes). Expecting a solid performance from the Novacastrians as a result.

Verdict – Knights by 4

Result – Knights 10 defeated Warriors 6

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – WIN Stadium

I'm going to write off the Dragons performance against the Bulldogs as a blip. Perhaps they just didn't turn up, thinking that a win over the Bulldogs was a fait accompli. A better guide to this game could be each sides performances against the Broncos. In round 13 the Dragons beat them 52-24 and in round 14 the Raiders beat them 38-16. Those results would indicate there isn't much between these two. The Raiders have been on a very poor run with just two wins from their last nine games, but it needs to be noted that six of those seven losses were against top eight teams. The Dragons are technically a top eight team (for now at least), and Dufty and Norman have to try and impress another NRL team if they want a contract next year, but I'm with the Raiders in what looks the hardest game of the round to pick. If a team turns up they'll win. I'm hoping it's the Raiders.

Verdict – Raiders by 2

Result – Dragons 22 defeated Raiders 20 

Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night – Sunshine Coast Stadium

Note the location tipsters - the Storm are still on the Sunshine Coast for now (although the tipping form will say AAMI Park). That said, the Storm haven't lost a game on the Sunshine Coast yet. Last week the Storm were missing Christian Welch, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Kenny Bromwich from their pack, and they lost Jessie Bromwich during the game - they still won in a canter. Jessie Bromwich won't play in this, but the other three are back. Ken Maumalo debuts for the Tigers after scoring three tries against the Storm for the Warriors last week. I'll let David Middleton tell me if that's the first time a player has faced the same opposition two weeks in a row in different teams. If it's not a first it's certainly unusual. The Storm are, for the first time all season, on top of the NRL ladder. They like it up there, and they'll be hard to topple. They certainly don't lose games like these.

Verdict – Storm by 14

Result – Stormm 66 defeated Tigers 16

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – Bankwest Stadium

It's been nearly two years since the Bulldogs won two games in a row. It's not happening.

Verdict – Eels by 20

Result – Eels 36 defeated Bulldogs 10

Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – Cbus Super Stadium

Since round six the Titans have been conceding, on average, more than 33 points per game. Given that, they need to score a lot to make any game a contest (which they did in spectacular circumstances last week). During the same period the Sea Eagles have been scoring, on average, more than 33 points per game. They've been winning too, because their defence has been very solid indeed (conceding around 14 points per game). I started at round six for a reason, because it's the last time these sides met. On that occasion the Sea Eagles won 36-0 at Mudgee. Even on the Gold Coast, a similar result wouldn't surprise me.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 20

Result – Sea Eagles 56 defeated Titans 24

Wally Lewis - round fifteen selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or Thursday morning

• Broncos vs RABBITOHS
• COWBOYS vs Sharks
• PANTHERS vs Roosters
• KNIGHTS vs Warriors
• Dragons vs RAIDERS
• STORM vs Tigers
• EELS vs Bulldogs
• Titans vs SEA EAGLES