Check out the match preview and prediction for the Round 22 clash between the Broncos and the Roosters.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters
Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
Date: Thursday July 27, 7:50pm.
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Broncos:ย 1.ย Reece Walshย 2.ย Deine Marinerย 3.ย Kotoni Staggsย 4.ย Herbie Farnworthย 5.ย Selwyn Cobboย 6.ย Ezra Mamย 7.ย Adam Reynoldsย 8.ย Thomas Fleglerย 9.ย Billy Waltersย 10.ย Payne Haasย 11.ย Kurt Capewellย 12.ย Brendan Piakuraย 13.ย Patrick Carriganย 14.ย Tyson Smoothyย 15.ย Corey Jensenย 16.ย Kobe Hetheringtonย 17.ย Keenan Palasiaย 18.ย Xavier Willisonย 19.ย Jock Maddenย 20.ย Tristan Sailorย 21.ย Delouise Hoeterย 22.ย Jordan Pereira
Roosters:ย 1.ย James Tedescoย 2.ย Daniel Tupouย 3.ย Billy Smithย 4.ย Joseph Manuย 5. Joseph Suaalii 6.ย Luke Kearyย 7.ย Sandon Smithย 8.ย Jared Waerea-Hargreavesย 9.ย Brandon Smithย 10.ย Lindsay Collinsย 11.ย Egan Butcherย 12.ย Nat Butcherย 13.ย Victor Radleyย 14.ย Jake Turpinย 15.ย Nathan Brownย 16.ย Terrell Mayย 17.ย Fletcher Bakerย 18.ย Corey Allanย 19.ย Siua Wongย 20.ย Drew Hutchisonย 21. Junior Pauga 22.ย Dylan Napa
Referee: Grant Atkins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
I remember sitting in the stands at the SCG in round 21 last season, and as the Roosters and the Broncos ran onto that hallowed cricket turf, I knew it was going to be the biggest game of the Roosters’ season.
Brisbane was beaten 34-16 that day, in the second loss of what became one of the most infamous end-of-season implosions in NRL history. But that was a relatively inexperienced team, and the Broncos of 2023 don’t look at all destined to repeat history.
The losses of Martin Taupau and Jesse Arthars through suspension are offset by the returns of Thomas Flegler and Brendan Piakura, and Deine Mariner joins onto the wing.
The Roosters are known for being one of the slower sides in the NRL, so look to Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam’s lateral movement to cause real problems as the Broncos look to take another step towards the minor premiership.
For Easts, this game presents a real opportunity to show that they can execute the free-flowing attack they displayed last week against the top sides.
The formula is simple for the Roosters; they have to keep winning if they’re a chance of making finals, and beating the high-flying Broncos may give them the confidence to really go on a run.
Victor Radley returns after hamstring tightness ruled him out in round 21, pushing rookie Siua Wong to the reserves.
Trent Robinson has selected 3 middle-forwards on his bench, no doubt to try and combat the destructive trio of Flegler, Haas, and Carrigan.
I won’t be sitting in the stands this time as the Broncos and the Roosters run onto another patch of hallowed cricket turf. But one thing does remain true a year on: this is the biggest game of the Roosters’ season, and the Broncos had better be up for it.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Broncos 4, Roosters 6.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Broncos by 8 points.
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