The Sydney Roosters will need to be at their physical best if they hope to outmuscle a Brisbane Broncos team coming off a tough victory over the Dragons. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEDT.
Brisbane produced one of their best defensive performances in years last week as they beat the Dragons 22-6 away from home.
The Broncos hardly had any possession throughout the contest but still managed to hold out a Dragons team that continues to struggle severely in attack.
Brisbane’s performance last week was as tough as they come, and they will be primed for a strong showing against Sydney tonight.
The Roosters have traditionally struggled against the Broncos, winning only one of their past eight home matches against them.
Trent Robinson’s men should ask a lot more questions of Brisbane’s defence tonight, especially if new recruits James Maloney, Michael Jennings and Sonny Bill Williams continue to build on last week’s solid performance against the Warriors.
Prediction
A key reason behind Brisbane’s great record against the Roosters surrounds their ability to constantly out-muscle the Bondi Junction club.
Sydney has really struggled to get the better of the Broncos physical game upfront and need to aim up in the forwards if they are a chance of winning.
If the Roosters can do that, they will fancy their chances of outscoring the Broncos tonight.
Despite naming him in the line-up, Justin Hodges is a strong chance of missing tonight’s encounter with a hamstring injury
Hodges has been the key attacking spark for the Broncos in the opening two rounds and his presence will be sorely missed against the Roosters if he pulls out.
The Roosters meanwhile are just starting to get the best out of new recruits Jennings, Williams and Maloney, who were all very solid against New Zealand.
Jennings made two line breaks last week, one of which was possible thanks to a superb offload from Williams in the second half.
Maloney meanwhile set-up a try for Shaun Kenny-Dowall in the 16-14 victory over the Warriors and is forging a strong combination with Mitchell Pearce in the halves.
Broncos halves Peter Wallace and Scott Prince however have also improved since the round one loss to Manly, and will dictate terms if Brisbane’s forwards manage to outmuscle the Rooster’s big men.
With both teams coming off morale boosting wins, tonight’s contest should be a close encounter between two sides with strong finals aspirations.
If the Roosters can just manage to win the arm wrestle in the forwards, they have the skill in the halves and backline to win at home.
Roosters by 4.
Cameron
Roar Guru
We have Storm next week, yay! At least the tickets I have are free.
Gaz
Guest
Not sure who has the most work to do, Griffin or Anderson. Clearly it is the worst Bronco side I have ever seen but the referees were really not that far behind. Wally Lewis reported last week if the Broncos failed against St George there would be changes both on and off the field - well a week late makes no difference - bring it on - what a disgrace.
Matt
Guest
I know!!! That was the moment I knew they had no hoping of winning. Held down, pushed down, gets up then pushed over again. Then ruled to have dropped it on his own! Wow... Just wow.
Matt
Guest
Was at the game. HORRIBLY forward. You couldn't accidentally miss that. Away section was right behind it, all screaming at the ref, nothing. What makes it worse, is that they did a forward pass only a tackle or two earlier, dropped it or something, and got a penalty. Then scored from that. They had 2 chances to pull up the forwards and didn't. Touchies are horrendous. People gives the refs stick - the touchies are dreadful and seem to always avoid the spotlight. They have next to nothing to rule on, and can't even do that. The refs have a lot more to watch, make calls, keep count etc. Funnily when Brisbane scored in the corner a the start, the SAME touchie spotted a forward. Convenient...
Matt
Guest
Was at the game. Disappointed, but it happens. Aside from more useless touch officiating, I must say I HATE Maloney. He is so scummy I couldn't believe it, only seeing live when he's always in view do you see the full picture. - He constantly throws the ball away. Broncos scrum, Maloney will hold it, walk 10m away, then roll it the opposite direction. Wallace has to then go 20m to go get the ball. Clear sight of everyone, never is he even spoken to - longest line dropouts ever. No ref, it's a penalty when he takes 50 seconds for the third time, not time off - penalty against roosters, took the ball off the bronco and threw the ball the other way. Again, the ref even looked because whoever it was complained (thaiday from memory), and said nothing. That's an easy 10m march every day of the week. Hoping he gets wiped out of the season, and ideally the game. Do not need bad sports like him in the NRL.
Alan
Roar Guru
In perhaps the most scrappy contest of the season thus far, the Roosters keep the Broncos scoreless en route to an 8 nil victory. The Broncos had so many chances to score in the second half but really struggled to ignite in attack against a committed Roosters defence. Hodges' absence was felt big time by Brisbane. The Roosters were not that much better in attack but could have killed the game off in the second half had they shown a little more composure with the football. Jennings caused havoc out wide, making three breaks while Williams and Hargreaves were strong upfront for the Roosters. A win is a win and the Roosters will take it. Both teams however with a lot to work on. Thanks for your company tonight and join us tomorrow for Sharks -Warriors live blog! Roosters 8 Broncos 0
oikee
Guest
Our forwards are terrific, shame we are let down by a backline that could not light a spark in the stoneage. Amen Broncos, your 31 thousand blockbuster is a Antique, hang onto it, your toast. I would not pay money to watch this mess.
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Roosters 8 Broncos 0
oikee
Guest
When you persist with pub footballers like Jack Reed and Wallace, you cant expect much more than park football performence, When Bennett left, this team turned to mush. To think Hodges is the only superstar, ? where is he, what happened to our star, oh half a game Hodges is out again for another 6 weeks. He might as well be out for 6 weeks, who would want to carry this mob.
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - The Broncos will fall short here despite dominating the second half against the Roosters. Its the Roosters who will win doing all the defending. Broncos win the penalty now for a high shot Roosters 8 Broncos 0
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Surprised that the Broncos did not go for the short drop-out there. Roosters right on the attack after doing a lot of defending. Hargreaves with another strong run. Pearce knocks on and that caps off a pretty poor performance from the half tonight Roosters 8 Broncos 0
Jax
Guest
Quick send in hodges -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Alan
Roar Guru
Over 13,000 have attended tonight. 78' - Roosters on the attack and a try here should seal victory. Friend with a grubber kick and the Broncos have to concede a line drop-out. Roosters look home here Roosters 8 Broncos 0
oikee
Guest
Play on, six to go, he lost the ball cold and they wont dare show a replay, but play on Roosters, my 100 to 1 is looking like a good thing, thanks refs. My favorite ref.
Alan
Roar Guru
Broncos with possession here but Prince throws the pass and Reed loses the football. Roosters edging closer to victory as they win the scrum on the halfway. Roosters 8 Broncos 0
Rellum
Roar Guru
I think should be framing his market on when the Broncs will score next, I would be betting on round 8
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Maloney with a kick now and Norman regathers. Broncos have to through caution to the wind here. Roosters 8 Broncos 0
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Wallace with a grubber kick here and Minichiello regathers possession well and time is now starting to become an enemy for brisbane Roosters 8 Broncos 0
Maroon Blood
Roar Rookie
The Broncs have BEEN a powerhouse outfit in the past mate, but not the current outfit. Going to be a loooong year I fear.
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Hargreaves with a strong run here following up Maloney's strong effort. Roosters with a great set here after defending. Pearce with a grubber kick and Norman regathers before getting well tackled by Jennings Roosters 8 Broncos 0