Nick Tedeschi, Author at TAB NZ Punters Lounge

NRL Tips & Preview | Round 4

Round 4 opens up with one of the most compelling games of the season with Manly club icon Daly Cherry-Evans returning to take on his former club at Brookvale while rivalry games between the Broncos and Dolphins and Panthers and Eels make for a fascinating weekend of football. Manly Sea Eagles vs Sydney Roosters 10:00pm Thursday | 4 Pines Park, Sydney Manly +6.5 ($1.90) Round 4 opens with a barnburner when an under pressure Manly host a surprisingly disjointed Sydney Roosters at Brookvale with Daly Cherry-Evans turning out against his former club for the first time. While Cherry-Evans will likely…

From The Couch: NRL Round 3

26 Mar • Nick Tedeschi

This is your weekly dose of NRL truth-telling, as tipster and rugby league raconteur Nick Tedeschi tears through the good, the bad and the indefensible, with absolutely no regard for bruised egos. The Entitlements of Rugby Union Types Mark Nawaqanitawase’s performance on Friday night against Penrith was utterly outrageous not in its costly incompetence but in its sheer arrogance. Nawaqanitawase gave a giant middle finger to Rugby League, the processes of the Sydney Roosters and his teammates with his complete disregard for doing the team thing to just do whatever the hell he wanted. Defensively the former and soon-to-be union…

NRL Tips & Preview | Round 3

22 Mar • Nick Tedeschi

While a Top 4 clash from last year between the Raiders and Bulldogs opens the week, excitement for Round 3 centres on Friday night when title favourites Penrith travel east to meet the hotshot Roosters before a return of last year’s decider when the Storm host the winless Broncos. Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs 10:00pm Thursday | GIO Stadium, Canberra Canberra -1.5 ($1.96) Round 3 opens up with a compelling affair as Ricky Stuart and his Raiders host a beleaguered Bulldogs with plenty seemingly going on off the park. The big news out of Belmore is that Bronson Xerri has…

From The Couch: NRL Round 2

19 Mar • Nick Tedeschi

This is your weekly dose of NRL truth-telling, as tipster and rugby league raconteur Nick Tedeschi tears through the good, the bad and the indefensible, with absolutely no regard for bruised egos. A Night For The Ages Alex Johnston became the greatest tryscorer in Australian Rugby League premiership history when scoring his second try one minute after halftime against arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters, sparking a scene both unprecedented in meaningful Australian sport and unforgettable for anyone who witnessed it. It all could not have gone more perfectly with Johnston breaking Ken Irvine’s 57-year record with a sensational try from beyond…

NRL Tips & Preview | Round 2

14 Mar • Nick Tedeschi

After a sensational opening round of the NRL, Round 2 is highlighted by the oldest rivalry in Rugby League when the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs square off on Friday night while the Penrith-Cronulla clash on Saturday from Bathurst is a salivating affair. Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels 10:00pm Thursday | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Parramatta +12.5 ($1.90) Both the Broncos and Eels were left red-faced in their respective season openers and are both desperately hoping to bounce back in Round 2. Brisbane were shutout at home by Penrith after Hull KR ran roughshod over them in the World Club…

From The Couch: NRL Round 1

13 Mar • Nick Tedeschi

This is your weekly dose of NRL truth-telling, as tipster and rugby league raconteur Nick Tedeschi tears through the good, the bad and the indefensible, with absolutely no regard for bruised egos. Justice Prevails In a very rare case of justice prevailing in Rugby League, Zac Lomax did not get his way and remains tied to the Eels for the next two seasons if he does wish to play in the NRL. The Eels and Storm could not reach a deal primarily thanks to Ryan Matterson’s clear lack of desire to play Rugby League and settled out of court, costing…

2026 The Players Championship | Tips & Preview

12 Mar • Nick Tedeschi

The biggest event on the PGA Tour, the Players Championship features the best players on the PGA Tour and is widely regarded as the unofficial fifth major. Scottie Scheffler won two straight before Rory McIlroy claimed this event on his way to winning The Masters, showcasing the importance of this event. Key Stats/Skill Set Required Ball Striking Scrambling Strokes Gained: Around The Green Strokes Gained: Tee To Green Strokes Gained: Putting Putting Average Driving Accuracy Par 4 Performance Bogey Avoidance TPC Sawgrass is the finest course on the TPC list with the famous island green 17th hole arguably the most…

NRL Tips & Preview | Round 1

8 Mar • Nick Tedeschi

The NRL’s season kicks off proper this week with a thrilling slate of six matches highlighted by the last two premiers meeting on Friday night before Jamal Fogarty makes his Manly debut against his former club on Saturday night. Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels 10:00pm Thursday | AAMI Park, Melbourne Parramatta +5.5 ($1.96) After spending much of the offseason battling each other in the courtroom, the Storm and Eels this time square off on the paddock and after their win in the courtroom look to top a big week with a chance of claiming the two points. The Storm have…

From The Couch: NRL Las Vegas

5 Mar • Nick Tedeschi

This is your weekly dose of NRL truth-telling, as tipster and rugby league raconteur Nick Tedeschi tears through the good, the bad and the indefensible, with absolutely no regard for bruised egos. Eels Show Some Backbone Parramatta have not been known as a club that has shown any sort of serious gumption, arguably from the day they entered the league 80 seasons back. They accumulated more wooden spoons than a soup chef with a penchant for corporal punishment in their formal years and in the last four decades lured the Filthy Four away from Belmore, welcomed back Jarryd Hayne, stuck with Brian…

NRL Tips & Preview | Las Vegas Round

1 Mar • Nick Tedeschi

The NRL season kicks off in Las Vegas for the third straight year with the traditional double-header and all eyes on the new recruits making their club debuts led by Dylan Brown at Newcastle, Reed Mahoney at North Queensland and Dan Atkinson at St George Illawarra. Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys 3:15pm Sunday | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas Newcastle +4.5 ($1.90) After enduring an awful season that netted the club its fourth wooden spoon in 11 years, Newcastle smartly moved on from Adam O’Brien and get the fresh start they need under astute new mentor Justin Holbrook. Holbrook did…