Sport

NRL betting tips for Irish bettors

Published

6 months ago

June 3, 2025

Now that we’re approaching the halfway point in the National Rugby League 2025 season, there’s a few teams who are starting to stand out. At the top, the Bulldogs lead the way with an impressive 18 points from 9 games, but will they be able to hold on all the way to the finals? Their closest rivals, the Warriors, are hot on their heels just two points behind and the most recent performance of Melbourne Storm who decimated Wests Tigers, proves them a real threat. Let’s look at some of the top performers that could be a good bet.

Back the Bulldogs

It will come as no surprise that our first betting tip comes straight from the top of the leaderboard with the Bulldogs. They’ve impressed so far this season winning eight of their nine games and sitting pretty on 18 points. There were signs of a resurgent Bulldogs at the end of the 2024 season with Toby Sexton and Kurt Mann putting in career-best performances. Overall, they finished in 6th place and suffered a narrow 22-24 defeat to the Sea Eagles in the quarter finals.

However, it’s been hard to overlook their rocky form over the earlier seasons, just two years earlier in 2023 they finished two off the bottom of the league and conceded a whopping 769 points, averaging 32 a game. Their 2023 season was an unfortunate representation of their recent poor form with similar results coming in the 22 and 21 seasons. At the start of the season, there wouldn’t have been many who put them in their betting tips, but after capitalising on the return to form shown at the end of 2024, they’re genuine contenders.

The Bulldogs have shown a real improvement in defence conceding only 58 points across their first five matches, the lowest in the league. They also have an impressive points difference of 106, the second highest in the league. In the past, they’ve struggled in defence with bigger teams finding it easy to overcome their smaller pack size. Former NRL player Alex McKinnon said the difference this year had been using their heads, ‘I saw a real conscious effort to carry the attacking players sideways’; he described it as a ‘smart tactic’ that would be ‘frustrating to play against’¹. Their opponents have clearly been struggling to work out how to play against their new defensive tactic, and the likes of Stephen Crichton in attack so far this season. If the Bulldogs can continue to blaze along this path, they could be a threat for the title and a top betting selection.

Caught in the storm

Sitting in third place currently, Melbourne Storm have had an impressive start to the season winning six of their nine matches and with an incredible point difference of 140, the highest in the league. However, it’s their recent performance on May 11th against the Wests Tigers where they won 64-0, that they really showed their potential even equalling their biggest winning margin. The only thing holding Storm back is consistency; they’ve lost two of their last five matches. Their next match against Sharks, just two places below them in the league, will be a true test.

Storm can also expect a boost with Hooker Harry Grant set to make a return from a hamstring injury, after being named in Storm’s reserves for their next match². Grant is a vital part of the team having been the captain since 2024; he also topped the league for tackle numbers in 2023 making 1065 tackles at a 91% efficiency. The team is stacked with talent having added NSW prop Stefano Utoikamanu to their roster along with other top quality players Tyran Wishart, Jack Howarth and Sualauvi Fa’alogo.

Storm also have one of the top coaches in the history of the game, Craig Beallmy, who boasts a 70% win rate. He’s been with the side since 2003, coaching them to two premiership wins and achieving seven coach of the year awards. Storm would be a good team to back in a bet which specifies winning by a high margin as they’ve already dealt some crushing, high scoring blows to teams this season. Overall, with many backing Storm to go all the way this year, they’re a hard team to bet against³.

The winning Warriors?

Although not quite as emphatic in their wins as Storm or the Bulldogs, the New Zealand Warriors still pose a threat this season. They currently sit in second place with an impressive seven wins from nine matches. One of our top betting tips is backing the Warriors against the Dolphins in their upcoming match in the round of eleven. As the Dolphins sit in twelfth place, with only four wins from ten games, the Warriors look set to storm it.

Another boost for the Warriors will come in the form of the return of their co-captain, James Fisher-Harris, who has been named in the starting team against the Dolphins after a month out for a pec strain. Fans will also be pleased to see winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck being named on the extended bench. Tuivasa-Sheck hasn’t played since the third round after suffering a hamstring injury and his upcoming return will offer the team a much-needed attacking threat⁴.

At the beginning of the season the Warriors were certainly outsiders to challenge, having lost important players like Addin Fonuna-Blake, Tohu Harris and Shaun Johnson. In particular, they seemed set to miss Fonuna-Blake, one of the league’s top props who during his time at the club was the leading try scorer. While they’ve coped better than many had expected, they are missing some of the offensive potency, sitting at a point difference of only plus one. The majority of their games have been tight and low scoring, a testament to their defensive prowess, but one that leaves a question mark over the rest of their season. The Warriors are still one of our top betting tips after their strong start to the season, especially in their upcoming game against the Dolphins.

The future of the NRL

Whoever is victorious in this year’s NRL, one thing is for certain, it’s going to be an exciting second half to the season. The future of the NRL seems set to go from strength to strength with the tournament making waves overseas. In 2026, the league will make a third appearance in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium. More than three million fans tuned in to watch the two games where the Sharks faced the Panthers and the Warriors faced the Raiders in the 2024 Las Vegas games. The incredible viewing numbers represented a 600% increase on those achieved the year before. Crowd numbers were also impressive in the stadium itself with 45,209 watching the season opener, the biggest showing in fifteen years⁵.

It’s no surprise that companies are lining up to sponsor the NRL when they’re seeing record numbers of viewers. Ireland’s betting power Paddy Power is waiting to see whether they’ll be awarded a $50 million deal which will give it significant advertising opportunities in the NRL⁶. They’re not alone however, and Australia’s CrownBet is also in the running for the deal which will grant the first rights to the successful wagering provider.

What is the best bet on the NRL?

The 2025 season is an incredibly open one so far, with five teams within just six points. While the teams we’ve already mentioned are leading the way, readers shouldn’t rule out other teams like the Raiders or the Sharks. At the minute, we’d find it hard to bet against Melbourne’s Storm after their incredible performance against Wests Tigers. A top tip would be to capitalise on bets that specify wins by a high margin when betting on the Storm. Backing the Warriors against the Dolphins also sounds like an opportunity that’s hard to resist. Overall, as the NRL continues to rise in popularity across the globe, there’s ample opportunity for fans to enhance their experience by placing a bet on one of the top contenders.

1: Worst to Best in 30 Games: Inside Ciraldo’s Incredible Bulldogs Resurgence After Early Horror Show, Written by Daniel Ramus, Published by Fox News.

2: NRL Casualty Ward: Surgery for Nicholson; Hunt Out for Origin, Written by NRL.com, Published by NRL.com.

3:NRL 2025 Predicted Ladder Part Two: It’s Melbourne Storm’s Premiership to Lose, Written by Nick Tedeschi, Published by the Guardian.

4: Warriors V Dolphins: James Fisher-Harris Named to Start After Injury Layoff, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on Extended Bench, Written by NZ Herald, Published by NZ Herald.

5: Rugby Leagues Las Vegas: The Story So Far, Written by NRL.com, Published by NRL.com .

6: Ireland’s Paddy Power Fighting for Australian NRL Deal, Written by Siobhan Aslett, Published by Irishluck.

News

Awards celebrate all that is good about Pembrokeshire sport

Published

4 days ago

December 2, 2025

Herald Sport

PEMBROKESHIRE’S sporting community came together on Friday evening as Folly Farm hosted the annual Sport Pembrokeshire Awards – a night dedicated to honouring achievements across every level, age group and discipline.

The awards recognise exceptional performances, inspiring journeys and the volunteers who keep local sport thriving behind the scenes. The ceremony was once again presented by Ceri Coleman-Phillips of BBC Wales Sport, supported by Cris Tomos.

Lifetime honour for Premier League star

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to Pembrokeshire’s own Simon Davies.
The former Wales winger enjoyed a distinguished Premier League career with Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

Davies scored in the 2010 Europa League final for Fulham, won fifty-eight caps for Wales – scoring six – and captained his country during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. He was named Welsh Footballer of the Year in 2002 and Fulham’s player of the season in 2007–08. After leaving the club in 2013, he returned to his boyhood side Solva AFC, famously paying £3 subs to play against St Ishmaels.

Special recognition for Wales Women’s Street Football Team

Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas introduced the evening’s Special Award, honouring the players of the Wales Women’s Street Football Team for their remarkable run to the quarter-finals of the Homeless World Cup in Oslo.

The squad trains in Haverfordwest and included five outstanding Pembrokeshire players – co-captains Tor Planner and Marie Tilley, alongside Claire Mantripp, Sam Lewtas and Bryony Davies. All have overcome personal challenges, including homelessness, mental health difficulties and social exclusion, yet wore the Welsh jersey with pride on the world stage.

The team was led by manager Jo Price, former Wales and Arsenal goalkeeper.
Support staff included Anji Tinley, Manager of the Garth Youth & Community Project and a Pembrokeshire County Councillor.

Cruising Free honoured after rowing the Atlantic

The Chairman’s Award for 2025 was presented by Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen to ‘Cruising Free’ of Neyland Rowing Club, who achieved one of the world’s toughest endurance feats – rowing 3,200 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

Sophie Pierce, Janine Williams, Miyah Periam and Polly Zipperlan completed the gruelling crossing from Lanzarote to Antigua, raising money for cystic fibrosis and the Paul Sartori Foundation.

At 32, Sophie became the first person with cystic fibrosis to row an ocean, while 70-year-old Janine became the oldest woman ever to complete the challenge. The team’s achievement was hailed as a powerful example of determination, unity and courage.

Parkrun pioneers win School Award

The School Award went to the Federation of Tavernspite and Templeton Schools – the first Parkrun School in the UK.

The federation has built a Parkrun curriculum with Parkrun UK, using the weekly event to boost physical activity, support wellbeing, and develop leadership through the Parkrun Ambassador scheme. The schools were praised for exceptional inclusion, providing adapted PE equipment, wheelchair races and strong support for disadvantaged pupils. Estyn has highlighted their work as best practice.

A strong year for Pembrokeshire sport

Summing up the event, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said:
“My congratulations go to everyone who won awards and all those nominated. We are so lucky to have such a strong sporting scene here in Pembrokeshire, and my thanks go to all those who work so hard to ensure people of all ages and abilities can take part in the sports they love. Thanks also to our sponsors Valero, Folly Farm and Pure West Radio for supporting this celebration each year.”

Full list of winners

Girls U16: Ava Tyrie (Brazilian Ju Jitsu – Pembroke MMA)
Boys U16: Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)

Club of the Year: Milford Haven Hockey Club (MAIN PHOTO)
Junior Disability: Jake Evans (Llangwm RFC)
Young Volunteer: Alannah Heasman (Haverfordwest High School)
Junior Team: Merlin’s Bridge FC Under-14s 2024/25
Unsung Hero: Jenny Lewis (Clarbeston Road AFC)
Senior Team: Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club
Male Achievement: Liam Bradley (Triathlon)
Female Achievement: Sanna Duthie (Running)
Disability Sport: Rachel Bailey (Boccia)
Club Organiser: Silfan Rhys-Jones (Fishguard Table Tennis Club)
Coach of the Year: James North (Kilgetty AFC)
School Award: Tavernspite & Templeton Federation of Schools
Chairman’s Award: Cruising Free (Neyland Rowing Club)
Special Award: Street Football Wales
Lifetime Achievement: Simon Davies (Wales, Spurs, Fulham, Everton & Solva AFC)

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Week ten results

Published

5 days ago

November 30, 2025

Herald Sport

The Friendly League continues as Reynalton close the gap on leaders East Williamston

THE LATEST round of fixtures in the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association’s Friendly League produced another mix of tight contests and emphatic victories.

Kilgetty were beaten 8–2 at home by Hundleton, while Reynalton delivered the standout performance of the week with a 10–0 win over East Williamston. Llanteg also impressed, defeating Carew 8–2.

Elsewhere, St Twynnells claimed a 7–3 win away at the Badgers, and Lamphey ran out 7–3 winners against St Johns. Cosheston had the bye.

League table – Week ten

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	S/D	Points
East Williamston	8	7	0	1	+130	62
Reynalton	8	5	1	2	+64	50
Hundleton	8	4	1	3	+3	42
Llanteg	8	4	0	4	–5	41
Badgers	9	3	1	5	–21	41
St Johns	8	3	1	4	–6	38
St Twynnells	8	4	0	4	–34	37
Lamphey	9	4	0	5	–15	36
Kilgetty	9	4	0	5	–49	36
Cosheston	8	3	0	5	–13	35
Carew	7	3	0	4	–54	32

Reynalton’s dominant win means they move within touching distance of leaders East Williamston, setting up an intriguing second half to the season.

Sport

South Africa run riot as Wales suffer record defeat in Cardiff

Published

6 days ago

November 30, 2025

Herald Sport

Wales 0–73 South Africa
WALES endured one of the heaviest defeats in their history on Saturday as world champions South Africa ran in 11 tries at the Principality Stadium, producing a brutal 73-0 demolition that exposed the gulf between the sides and underlined the scale of the rebuilding task facing Welsh rugby.

The fixture, arranged outside the international window, left Wales without several first-choice players and short on experience. South Africa, by contrast, arrived in Cardiff at full strength and in ruthless form. What followed was a one-sided contest from the opening minutes to the final whistle.

First-half dominance

The Springboks established their authority early, their scrum immediately overpowering the Welsh pack and setting the tone for the afternoon. Tries from Gerhard Steenekamp, Ethan Hooker and Jasper Wiese put the visitors 21-0 ahead, with Wales struggling to exit their own half and repeatedly conceding penalties under pressure.

Wales’ lineout functioned reasonably well and there were brief flashes of ambition from Joe Hawkins, Joe Roberts and Rio Dyer, but every half-chance dissolved through handling errors or South Africa’s suffocating defensive line. A late surge from the Boks saw Morne van den Berg cross just before the break for a 28-0 half-time lead.

Second-half collapse

Any hopes of containment disappeared after the interval. South Africa emptied their bench—bringing on yet more power—and immediately cut through Wales again. Wilco Louw, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (twice), Canan Moodie, Ruan Nortje and Eben Etzebeth all scored in a relentless second half.

Wales’ discipline faltered under the pressure. Taine Plumtree and Aaron Wainwright were both shown yellow cards, with Wainwright’s high tackle sent to the bunker for review. South Africa’s own discipline cracked late on when Etzebeth received a straight red card for making contact with the eye area of Alex Mann—an incident captain Siya Kolisi later claimed was accidental.

Reaction

Player of the match Andre Esterhuizen, who produced a series of thunderous carries and turnovers, said the Springboks “worked really hard” to complete their Autumn clean sweep, praising Wales for “never giving up”.

Kolisi was gracious in victory but said he did not want the Etzebeth incident to overshadow the performance, adding: “The only way a team gets better is by playing the best. Wales will be stronger for facing this.”

Former Wales captain Dan Biggar, working as a pundit, was blunt in his assessment. “There are players there that aren’t at this level now, and may not play this level again,” he said. “I don’t think anyone learned anything from that.”

A difficult day for Welsh rugby

For Wales, the defeat will strengthen scrutiny of the WRU’s scheduling and long-term planning. A young and inexperienced squad battled gamely in patches—Mann, Hawkins and Dyer among those showing fight—but the mismatch was stark.

A crowd of around 50,000, well below capacity, reflected the mood of supporters as another bruising year for Welsh rugby nears its end.

Head coach Warren Gatland will now attempt to piece together the positives from a chastening afternoon, but the bigger questions facing the structure of the game in Wales remain unanswered.