Wests Tigers vs New Zealand Warriors – Friday night – Campbelltown Sports Stadium

The Warriors have won 9 of their last 10 games with the Tigers but, surprisingly, they didn't win the last one. In round four this year an almost full strength Warriors outfit lost 32-14 to a Tigers side without Luai. Since then the Warriors have been working their way up the ladder while the Tigers head in the other direction. The Tigers haven't given up on a top eight finish and nor should they, but it will be hard from here. Really hard. They probably need to win this, and despite the result in round four, they probably won't. Returning for the Warriors on Friday are Fisher-Harris, Halasima and Khan-Periera. The Warriors are resting their Origin forwards Barnett and Capewell, but they have plenty of depth in the engine room. For the Tigers, Luai is a big inclusion, but Koroisau is out, and the Tigers are a different side without him at the steering wheel.

Verdict - Warriors by 8

Result - Warriors 32 defeated Tigers 6

Redcliffe Dolphins vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday afternoon – Kayo Stadium

At the time of writing, there are 8 Origin players named on extended reserve lists for this game, so it's not easy to come up with a preview. Worth keeping an eye out for late roster change-ups if you can. Both sides played last weekend without their Origin stars, with the Dolphins losing narrowly to the Knights in Newcastle while the Sharks overcame the Broncos in Brisbane. The Knights are going better than the Broncos this season, so there's no shame for the Dolphins there. Note that this is just the second, but also the last game the Dolphins play at my birthplace and their spiritual home. In their first game at Redcliffe the Sea Eagles put 50 on them, so I'm expecting the Dolphins will be keen to put on a better show this time around for their local fans. As for the Sharks, they're used to playing at provincial grounds with sub-par facilities...every time they play at home. 

Verdict - Dolphins by 4

Result - Sharks 66 defeated Dolphins 0

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Accor Stadium

Two sides that haven't (quite) given up on a finals berth, so I'm expecting a spirited contest here. Both sides have named their Origin players (Crichton and Strange) in the halves, and they both seemed to get through the game on Wednesday okay. The body doesn't hurt as much after an Origin win, so that will help to a degree. These sides met back in round 3 where the Bulldogs ground their way to victory in a low-scoring contest. Neither side seems to have improved much since then, hence their lofty descent from where they were at the end of season 2025. Some notable returns for the away team in Papalii, Martin and Laurie. The Raiders can't get a lot of minutes out of Papalii but the minutes they get are good ones, and his presence alone seems to have a positive effect on everyone else. The Bulldogs are chasing their fourth win in a row, but I clearly have an undiagnosed medical condition and I'm tipping the Raiders...again. Nurse!

Verdict - Raiders by 1

Result - Raiders 40 defeated Bulldogs 16

Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night – Allianz Stadium

The Chooks have named Tedesco at fullback, a surprise given he failed a HIA assessment on Wednesday night. Toia and Nawaqanitawase are also in the starting thirteen. Walker and Robson are on the extended bench, while Tupou to returns to play his 300th game. He joins an elite group and does so quietly and without much a fuss. Exactly the sort of person you want in your team. For the Eels, Moses backs up after another solid performance for his state, while Russell is out with a quadriceps injury. The Roosters lead in to the match has been much more disrupted, but their record at this ground and against this opponent is compelling, and I expect they'll want to celebrate the Tupou milestone with a win.

Verdict - Roosters by 4

Result - Roosters 28 defeated Eels 12

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Accor Stadium

Happy birthday Jai Arrow. I've no doubt the Rabbitohs will be hoping to make it a winning day. This won't be easy though. The Knights have named Ponga and Best, and they did beat the Rabbits in round 9 in one of the highest scoring games of the season. While that game was in Newcastle, the Rabbitohs side that day included Mitchell, Walker and Johnston. The home side do welcome back Murray and Graham, but I like what the Knights are doing this season under the new coach. They're in the top four for a reason and I think they can get the points here.

Verdict - Knights by 4

Result - Rabbitohs 26 defeated Knights 24

Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – 4 Pines Park

The Cowboys gave us what might have been their worst performance of the season when these sides met in round 7 in Townsville. Manly prevailed 38-6 and it's hard to forget that game when you're looking at this one. Sunday afternoon at Brookvale is typically a recipe for a Manly win too, and their overall record against the Cowboys (8 wins from the last 10) is compelling. Both sides have named their Origin reps, with Tom Deardon a very slight chance of getting a late call-up. I do think the Cowboys can give a better account of themselves this time around and it's my game of the round. With both sides on the edge of the top eight it's a big win for whoever gets the result. 

Verdict - Sea Eagles by 2

Result - Cowboys 19 defeated Sea Eagles 18

Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday night – AAMI Park

These are the sort of games that the Storm might rest Origin stars...back in the day, but not anymore. Almost every game is must-win for the Storm to be any chance of getting themselves back in the top eight. They'll also welcome back Hughes, Howarth and Meeney, so they don't have too many excuses here. Fa'asuamaleaui and Fifita are named for the Titans too, and I've no doubt this team is improving all the time. It feels like I've been saying that about the Titans for a decade, so I hope I'm actually right this time. The Storm can't take them lightly in this, but the Storm can't take anything lightly anymore. It won't be comfortable, but I expect the home side will get the points.

Verdict - Storm by 4

Result - Storm 22 defeated Titans 18

Wally Lewis - round nineteen selections (in bold)

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

• Tigers vs WARRIORS
• DOLPHINS vs Sharks
• BULLDOGS vs Raiders
• ROOSTERS vs Eels
• Rabbitohs vs KNIGHTS
• SEA EAGLES vs Cowboys
• STORM vs Titans