February 24, 2026

NRL Predictions for Round 1

Team Ratings for Round 1

The basic method is described on my Department home page.
Here are the team ratings prior to this week’s games, along with the ratings at the start of the season.

Current Rating Rating at Season Start Difference
Roosters 9.50 9.50 -0.00
Panthers 8.77 8.77 -0.00
Sharks 7.25 7.25 0.00
Broncos 7.06 7.06 0.00
Storm 6.96 6.96 0.00
Bulldogs 2.13 2.13 0.00
Dolphins 1.85 1.85 -0.00
Raiders 1.62 1.62 0.00
Sea Eagles 0.21 0.21 -0.00
Eels -0.37 -0.37 0.00
Warriors -1.18 -1.18 -0.00
Cowboys -2.69 -2.69 -0.00
Rabbitohs -5.05 -5.05 0.00
Dragons -6.72 -6.72 -0.00
Wests Tigers -7.26 -7.26 -0.00
Titans -8.02 -8.02 -0.00
Knights -14.06 -14.06 -0.00

 

Predictions for Round 1

Here are the predictions for Round 1. The prediction is my estimated expected points difference with a positive margin being a win to the home team, and a negative margin a win to the away team.

Game Date Winner Prediction
1 Knights vs. Cowboys Mar 01 Cowboys -11.40
2 Bulldogs vs. Dragons Mar 01 Bulldogs 8.80
3 Storm vs. Eels Mar 05 Storm 11.30
4 Warriors vs. Roosters Mar 06 Roosters -6.70
5 Broncos vs. Panthers Mar 06 Broncos 2.30
6 Sharks vs. Titans Mar 07 Sharks 19.30
7 Sea Eagles vs. Raiders Mar 07 Sea Eagles 2.60
8 Dolphins vs. Rabbitohs Mar 08 Dolphins 10.90

 

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David Scott obtained a BA and PhD from the Australian National University and then commenced his university teaching career at La Trobe University in 1972. He has taught at La Trobe University, the University of Sheffield, Bond University and Colorado State University, joining the University of Auckland, based at Tamaki Campus, in mid-1995. He has been Head of Department at La Trobe University, Acting Dean and Associate Dean (Academic) at Bond University, and Associate Director of the Centre for Quality Management and Data Analysis at Bond University with responsibility for Short Courses. He was Head of the Department of Statistics in 2000, and is a past President of the New Zealand Statistical Assocation. See all posts by David Scott »

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