2023 NRL Preview Round 14: Sharks Vs Broncos
Debra Sherwood previews the upcoming Round 14 match between the Sharks and the Broncos.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Vs Brisbane Broncos
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Date: Saturday June 3, 7:35pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Wade Graham 15. Jack Williams 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Connor Tracey 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Daniel Atkinson 22. Jayden Berrell
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Keenan Palasia 21. Xavier Willison 22. Corey Oates 23. Tristan Sailor 24. Jock Madden
Referee: Todd Smith
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Sharks will look to put on a ferocious performance in front of their home crowd as they take on the Brisbane Broncos at Pointsbet Stadium on Saturday night.
The last meeting between the two teams (in 2022) saw the Sharks go down to the Broncos 16-7 at Suncorp Stadium; but given the odds, recording three straight wins following their Round 6 bye, and having won their last two games at home, the tide may just turn for the Sharks in the Shire.
The Sharks look to be refreshed from their bye last week and will use this to their advantage. They will head into the match against the Broncos with a reserve of energy and overarching confidence, still holding their heads high from their win against the Knights.
The team will line up virtually unchanged from their Round 12 win over Newcastle. Siosifa Talakai, missing for two matches prior to the Sharks’ bye, will look to return after suffering a neck injury. He will replace Connor Tracey in the centres, who drops back to the reserves.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon can be confident that star player Nicho Hynes, the only player having to back up after Origin 1, has what it takes to be able to face the Broncos side with ease, having only played 12 minutes on Wednesday night.
The Sharks will have a number of strong players available to them, with the Broncos needing to keep their eyes on the likes of Will Kennedy if he shows the same power and endurance that he displayed against the Knights. The combination of Hynes, Talakai, and Jesse Ramien could also be a weapon in the Sharks’ arsenal both in defence and attack. Adding to an already stealthy line up will be bullet train Sione Katoa: he may also be an issue for the Broncos once he finds pace.
Last week the Broncos fought off the Warriors with an impressive performance – winning 26-22. They provided a strong defensive line through Payne Haas, Jordan Riki, and Kurt Capewell, with several successful conversions by Adam Reynolds. Deine Mariner scored two impressive tries, with fancy footwork and a 90-metre run to score his first NRL try of the season. Combining these players with Ezra Mam and Kotoni Staggs could present a chance for the Broncos against a powerful, energised Sharks side.
The concern that the Broncos will have is the backing up of their players from Origin 1, given five of them played. The Broncos may rest Reece Walsh after playing 80 minutes of Origin 1, and this could pose an opportunity for the Sharks to circle and take home a win this weekend.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Sharks 6, Broncos 6
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sharks by six points.
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