NRL Pro Punter Previews - Roosters v Broncos, Round 1 2024

It's NRL Round 1 from Vegas! Steve Green from Champion Bets has joined us for the 2024 NRL season, where he'll share his thoughts on every game!

Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos
Sunday, 3:30pm AEDT

Sydney 2.30
Brisbane 1.62
Sydney +3.5 (1.90) / Brisbane -3.5 (1.90)
Bet Right Markets

I am not that happy with the Roosters line up. I think Egan Butcher, Connor Watson and Angus Crichton are all strong players that should have been named in the 17. While this shows just how much depth the Roosters have, it also worried me that Coach Robinson is back to making poor selection decisions like he did in 2023.

I think there is a chance Watson is moved into the 17 at the expense of Sandon Smith. Watson looked good in the trial and he offers a strong rotation with Brandon Smith, who cannot play 80 minutes in the middle. Hopefully this is just Robinson playing games.
The form of the Roosters was nothing special in their one trial hit out at full strength, where they beat a very understrength Manly team in unconvincing fashion.

As for the Broncos, they won the pre-season challenge and although I do not read too much into the results of these trials, I am a little concerned that the Broncos look keen to start fast in 2024. This will be their first proper game since their devastating capitulation in the 2023 GF against the Panthers, so there is a risk the Roosters are beaten by a more fired up outfit.

However, on my ratings these teams match up really evenly.

Predicted score: Roosters 19 - 18 Broncos

Other betting markets

With the smaller field being used in Vegas, I think there are plenty of betting options on exotic markets. While none of the below are formal bet recommendations, they are just insights that you may find helpful in you like dabbling with exotic betting markets.

First Try Scorer
I am staying away from wingers and outside backs in the belief that it will be hard to go around teams and much more likely teams look for inside balls and crash over players. Big forwards are at long odds with most bookies are value, as both are strong carriers close to the line and Croker has gotten much better at engaging the markers close to the line.

Total points
I think both games go under. Often attacking timing is off early in the season and with smaller fields, I think the games will be much more of a grind.

Time of first try
I am taking over 8 minutes or 8.5 minutes depending on bookie / odds, as I think taking the penalty will be something teams do if given option and because it will be hard to score early with the smaller fields.

Neither team to score 20 points
I am taking this option at juicy odds of 3.80 with Bet Right for Neither Team First to 4 Tries. I think the closeness of the games and smaller fields could see neither team score more than 3 tries each in both games.

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