2023 NRL Preview Round 22: Broncos Vs Roosters

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: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 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. Brendan Piakura 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Xavier Willison 19. Jock Madden 20. Tristan Sailor 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Jordan Pereira

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Corey Allan 19. Siua Wong 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Junior Pauga 22. Dylan Napa

Referee: Grant Atkins

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MATCHDAY 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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