NRL | Round 1

alphr.com.au

NEW
Knights
VS
NQL
Cowboys
ALLEGIANT STADIUM, LAS VEGAS • SUNDAY 1 MAR, 1:15 PM

Win Probability

AI Game Review

Our model correctly predicted Knights to win at 51% probability. The predicted margin of 1.9 was reasonable against the actual 10-point result. Total score prediction of 43 was close to the actual 46, within 3 points. The model went 2/4 on this match. The under 48.8 total call was correct.

Model vs actual outcomes • Post-match analysis

🏁

AI Referee Insights

Ashley Klein officiated this match (386 career games). The 46-point combined total was right in line with Ashley Klein's career average of 44. Knights bucked the trend, Cowboys historically win 45% of games under Ashley Klein, but couldn't convert that edge today. Knights's home victory fits Ashley Klein's profile, home teams win 60% of the time under this referee.

Based on referee career statistics • Post-match analysis

Momentum Replay
Beta
80', Knights firmly in control (99%)
KNI28
99%80'1%
18COW
HT100%50%0%0'20'40'60'80'
Cowboys momentumMomentum +10Knights momentum →
Next Try (within 10 min)
AI Model
14%
80% none
KNI 14%No try 80%COW 6%
Biggest Swings

AI Win Probability

51%KnightsFavourite

Knights

51%

Cowboys

49%

AI Match Overview

This shapes up as one of the tightest matchups of the round. Our model gives Knights a marginal 51% edge, making this essentially a coin-flip contest. Cowboys are stronger on paper across 5 of 7 key factors, including ELO Difference, Forward Pack and Backline Quality, but Knights counter with Referee Tendency and Venue Advantage which tips the scales. Recent form favours Cowboys with 2 wins from their last 5 compared to 0 for Knights. The margin model predicts Cowboys by 1.9 points with a combined total of 43.

Generated from model features • Pre-kick-off analysis

Edge Analysis

1 ACTIVE EDGE

Each market is predicted by an independent model, H2H, margin, and totals may occasionally disagree.

H2H Recommendation

Knights to Win @2.41

Winner ✓

Edge

+11.4%

Line / Spread

Cowboys -4.5 @1.91

Lost ✗

Edge

+0.0%

Margin Band

Cowboys 1-12 @2.55

Lost ✗

Edge

+0.0%

Total Points

Under 48.8 @1.91

Winner ✓

Edge

+0.0%

Form & History

TeamLast 5Avg Pts
Knights
R2025-R23L
R2025-R24L
R2025-R25L
R2025-R26L
R2025-R27L

older → newer

10.8
Cowboys
R2025-R22L
R2025-R23L
R2025-R24W
R2025-R25W
R2025-R26L
26.4

Avg Conceded

47.6

Knights

24.2

Cowboys

Avg Margin

-36.8

Knights

2.2

Cowboys

Run Metres

1336

Knights

1685

Cowboys

Line Breaks

3.4

Knights

3.2

Cowboys

Referee Indicator

Favours Cowboys

Ashley Klein

386 career games · since 2010

AI Analysis

Win rate when Ashley Klein refs each team (vs any opponent)

Knights
16W – 25L
39%
Cowboys
19W – 23L
45%

Cowboys hold a 6-point edge: 19W–23L (45%) vs Knights's 16W–25L (39%). Home teams win 60% of his matches (vs ~52% league avg).

Avg Total

43.6 pts

Home Win %

60%

Home Bias

Leans home

Penalty & Discipline

Pen / Game

8.9

Sin Bins / Gm

0.16

SB Away %

42%

Avg Penalties Per Game

vs Home Teams4.3
vs Away Teams4.6

Penalty Advantage Under This Ref

Positive = opponent penalised more than your team

Knights
+0.8
Cowboys
+1.1

Ashley Klein averages just 8.9 penalties per game, well below average. He lets the game flow. Cowboys get a +1.1 penalty advantage under Ashley Klein vs Knights's +0.8.

H2H History (Last 5)Cowboys lead 5-0
Aug 2025NEW 4 - 38 NQL
Sep 2024NEW 16 - 28 NQL
Mar 2024NEW 20 - 21 NQL
Apr 2023NEW 16 - 18 NQL
May 2022NEW 16 - 36 NQL
Prediction BreakdownPure Alpha Model

📊Team ELO Ratings

NEW
1437Overall1445
NQL
ELO difference: -7 in favour of Cowboys

🏈Positional Matchups

Player ELO aggregated by position group, higher = stronger unit

935Forwards938
Even
937Backs960
NQL +23
965Halves952
NEW +14
975Hooker944
NEW +31

📈Recent Form (Last 5)

NEW
Stat
NQL
0.0
Wins (Last 5)
2.0
10.8pts
Avg Score
26.4pts
47.6pts
Avg Conceded
24.2pts
-36.8pts
Avg Margin
2.2pts
1335.8m
Run Metres
1685.0m
3.4
Line Breaks
3.2
369.6
Tackles
331.2
12.6
Errors
13.0

🔑Key Prediction Factors

What the model weighted most in this prediction

1
ELO Difference14.0%
Cowboys
2
Forward Pack12.0%
Cowboys
3
Backline Quality10.0%
Cowboys
4
Halves Control9.0%
Cowboys
5
Recent Win Rate9.0%
Cowboys
6
Referee Tendency7.0%
Knights
7
Venue Advantage7.0%
Knights

Model Confidence

51%

Knights predicted to win by 2 points

Predicted total: 43 · Line: -1.9

2/4 match predictions correct
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