Round eight of the 2019 NRL campaign gets under way with two sides led by familiar faces going head to head on Thursday.

South Sydney Rabbitohs have made a flying start to the season, winning six of their first seven games following head coach Wayne Bennett's move from Brisbane Broncos.

And it is the Broncos who visit ANZ Stadium under the stewardship of Anthony Seibold, who moved in the opposite direction as he and Bennett swapped roles in pre-season.

The Broncos' Darius Boyd looks set to reach a major milestone against his former boss, while landmarks also await Canberra Raiders' Joey Leilua and Sydney Roosters' Latrell Mitchell.

With the help of Opta data, we take a look at the next round of NRL action.

 

THURSDAY

South Sydney Rabbitohs (6-1) v Brisbane Broncos (2-5)

- South Sydney Rabbitohs have scored 10 tries after receiving a penalty in NRL 2019, more than any other team and twice as many as Brisbane Broncos.
- Darius Boyd (Broncos) is set to play his 300th NRL game and his first against former coach Wayne Bennett, under whom he has played 292 of his 299 games thus far.

FRIDAY

North Queensland Cowboys (2-5) v Gold Coast Titans (2-5)

- North Queensland Cowboys have won their last seven NRL games against Gold Coast Titans, including two wins after trailing at half-time in their last three meetings.
- Anthony Don (Gold Coast Titans) has crossed for a try in each of his last five NRL games; it's the fourth time he’s accumulated such a streak in his career, though he is yet to extend any streak to six.

Cronulla Sharks (3-4) v Melbourne Storm (6-1)

- Cronulla Sharks have scored seven tries from kicks in NRL 2019, equal best in the competition (alongside Canberra Raiders); however, no team has conceded fewer tries via this method than Melbourne Storm (one).
- Josh Addo-Carr has scored four tries in his last four games for the Storm; however, the Sharks are the only team against whom Addo-Carr is yet to score in the NRL.

 

SATURDAY

Canberra Raiders (5-2)  v Penrith Panthers��(2-5)

- Penrith Panthers have retained 37 per cent of kicks made in general play this NRL campaign, more than any other team in the competition.
- Joey Leilua (Canberra Raiders) is set to play his 200th NRL game - he crossed for a hat-trick of tries in his last game against the Panthers.

Manly Sea Eagles (4-3) v Canterbury Bulldogs (2-5)

- Manly Sea Eagles have won their last two NRL games against Canterbury Bulldogs at Lottoland, conceding just six points in the process.
- The Sea Eagles have scored 15 tries through the middle third this season, more than any other team in the competition; the Bulldogs (four) have scored the fewest of any team through this corridor.

Sydney Roosters (6-1) v Wests Tigers (4-3)

- Sydney Roosters have scored five tries within the opening 10 minutes of game this NRL campaign, more than any other team in the competition.
- Latrell Mitchell's next try will be his 50th in the NRL, and the Roosters centre is just 25 points shy of his 500th scored in the league

 

SUNDAY

New Zealand Warriors (2-5) v Newcastle Knights (2-5)

- Newcastle Knights have won only one NRL game against New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium in the last 14 years (L12), with their last victory in such a fixture coming in Round 20, 2012 (24-19).
- The Warriors are the only team yet to concede a try within the opening 10 minutes of a game this season.

Parramatta Eels (4-3) v St George Illawarra Dragons (4-3)

- Parramatta Eels have won seven of their last eight NRL games against St George Illawarra Dragons, this after having won only one of their 11 prior encounters (D1, L9).
- The Eels have conceded just four penalties per game this NRL season, fewer than any other team in the competition.