Neds Match Preview: Round 5
Wests Tigers will head interstate to take on the Brisbane Broncos for Thursday Night Football off the back of another short turnaround — looking to re-enter the winners circle.
After going down in heartbreaking fashion in Golden Point last week, Michael Maguire's side still sit inside the top eight after the opening month of the season and will be looking to bounce back with a win against the Broncos — a side themselves struggling somewhat for form after a heavy defeat to the Roosters last week.
In terms of team news, Head Coach Michael Maguire has named a near unchanged forward pack for the first month of the season with Russell Packer starting in place on Ben Matulino, who drops back to the bench this week. Josh Aloiai has earned a promotion to the run-on side after a number of impressive performances coming off the bench so far. Thomas Mikaele returns after missing out last week, pushing Elijah Taylor back to the reserves. After a strong performance last week, Josh Reynolds has been retained at five-eighth while Benji Marshall still nursing a hamstring injury.
Maguire gives final word on Broncos clash
Brisbane Coach Anthony Siebold will welcome back young prop Payne Haas for the clash on Thursday along with Patrick Carrigan, who makes his NRL debut. The side will be without Tevita Pangai Junior, however, after he picked up a two-game suspension for hia late shot on Cooper Cronk in last week’s loss to the Roosters.
Kotoni Staggs retains his place in the centres with James Roberts battling an achilles injury, but the Blues flyer has been named among the reserves for Thursday's game and could potentially be a late inclusion to watch out for.
NRL.com preview Broncos clash
David Fifita comes in to the starting side in place of Pangai Junior, while Haas could replace either of Gehamat Shibasaki, Jaydn Su'a or Thomas Flegler come kickoff.
To date the Broncos have just one win from their opening four games, and will be eager to come out with a win on their home turf. Since 2016, the side have won 11 of their last 13 matches on Thursday Night Football, and will fancy their chances against a Wests Tigers side that have never won on Thursday outside of Sydney.
After two tough losses, Maguire's side will no doubt lean on their defence once again this week — currently ranked as the second best defensive side in the competition after their best defensive start to a season in the club's 20-year history.
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Thursday, April 11, 2019
Time — 7:50pm AEDT
Venue — Suncorp Stadium
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Live via FOX League (Ch.502) and Channel Nine
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, FM 104.50 Triple M Brisbane and NRL Nation
Live Stream — Foxtel Go, KAYO, 9Now, NRL Digital Pass and Watch NRL (int.)
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Brisbane Broncos — Anthony Siebold has confirmed that Payne Haas will return from suspension in place of Gehamat Shibasaki, despite the prop still remaining amongst the reserves after the initial team update. James Roberts (achilles) will not play tomorrow, however, with Kotoni Staggs named once again in the centres.
Wests Tigers — Wests Tigers remain unchanged from the team named during the week with Josh Aloiai and Russell Packer promoted to the run-on side. Paul Momirovski and Elijah Taylor remain in the squad as reserves, while David Nofoaluma and Chris McQueen drop out and will play Canterbury Cup.
Match: Broncos v Wests Tigers
Round 5 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Darius BoydFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye
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Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Mahe Fonua
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Robert Jennings
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Jack BirdCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan Marsters
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Corey Thompson
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony MilfordFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Josh Reynolds
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Kodi NikorimaHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Matthew LodgeProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Russell Packer
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Andrew McCulloughHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Joe OfahengaueProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Ryan Matterson
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Matt Gillett2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luke Garner
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Lock for Broncos is number 18 Payne HaasLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Josh Aloiai
Interchange
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Interchange for Broncos is number 13 David FifitaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Ben Matulino
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Jaydn Su'aInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Thomas FleglerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Matthew Eisenhuth
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Patrick CarriganInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee Kam
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Tim Roby
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
LATEST NEDS ODDS
H2H —Brisbane Broncos ($1.42), Wests Tigers ($2.80),
Line — Brisbane Broncos -7.5 ($1.95), Wests Tigers + 7.5 ($1.85)
Odds correct on Wednesday, April 10 — 18+ only and gamble responsibly
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall — Played 28, Broncos 21, Wests Tigers 5, Draw 2
At Suncorp Stadium — Played 14, Broncos 10, Wests Tigers 4
Last Time They Met — Brisbane Broncos 9 def. Wests Tigers 7
MATCH OFFICIALS
Match Referees — Ben Cummins and Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judges — Tim Roby and Rickey McFarlane
Review Officials — Bryan Norrie and Ashley Klein
