The Wests Tigers welcome the Brisbane Broncos to Campbelltown in Round 11, celebrating the club’s 15th anniversary against theit first NRL opponent. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEST.
It shapes as an intriguing match-up, with both teams challenged due to the absence of their State of Origin stars while looking to continue their winning form from the last round.
Skipper Robbie Farah returned last week from a spell on the sidelines and is arguably the most influential loss to either team. The Tigers must continue without him this week due to Origin.
Tigers prop Aaron Woods has also been handed a Blues jersey, while the Broncos lose Corey Parker, Matt Gillett and Justin Hodges due to Queensland selection.
On top of this, the Tigers’ apparent home ground advantage is not what it seems. The Tigers have only obtained a winning percentage of 20.45% in all their games against their bogey team in the Broncos, with an average losing margin of 11.
The Broncos have won five games from as many starts at Campbelltown Stadium.
In fact, the Tigers have not beaten the Broncos since round 17, 2010, when they narrowly prevailed in Brisbane by two points, 16-14. With these results all heavily in favour of the Broncos, you could forgive Tigers faithful for not being completely optimistic.
However, it’s rare that the Wests Tigers (6th) are situated above the Broncos (11th) on the table. The Tigers will look to continue their early season run of form with an uncommon win against Brisbane.
Brisbane will once again rely on halfback Ben Hunt, who has emerged as a dominant figure for them this season. His form has dispelled many pre-season queries about his suitability as the single dominant half, scoring seven tries and producing eight try assists in ten appearances.
The Broncos will be without Sam Thaiday, Ben Hannant and Mitchell Dodds, as well as their Origin stars.
In the battle of the halves, the Tigers’ Luke Brooks must step up and control the game with the kicking and playmaking ability which have some people likening him to the great Andrew Johns. Brooks must take charge of the game if the Tigers are to stand a chance against a depleted yet still formidable Broncos team.
Young fullback sensation James Tedesco is also a notable absentee from the Tigers. After lighting up the pre-season Auckland Nines competition, he carried the form into the first few rounds until unfortunately succumbing to an ankle injury which sees him out until round 13.
The Tigers have not been fortunate with injuries, with James Gavet, Curtis Sironen, Dene Halatau, Liam Fulton and Tim Molzten also sidelined.
Can the Tigers break the historical hoodoo, or will the Broncos continue their pattern of dominance?
I predict a close game with the Broncos continuing their winning run over the Tigers, 24-16.
luke
Guest
Broncos should have already got a penalty with the late hit on Andrew Mc.
Blaze
Guest
Someone needed to tell the refs that it was a tigers home game....... Absolutely disgusting tonight.. Tigers were the better team.
ghghgh
Roar Rookie
Yep agree as well, heartbreaking for tigers faithful
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Roar Rookie
Statistical analysis: Both teams hovered around the 75% completion rate, with a similar number of total sets (39 & 40). Tigers managed 9 offloads to the Broncos 1, while both teams were sloppy giving away 10 and 12 errors respectively. The penalty count was in Brisbane's favour 8-4. Individually, I thought the two halves stood out tonight. Ben Hunt an outstanding game, his early season form is continuing, with a try assist, two tackle breaks, a crucial late game line break and 14 kicks for 405 metres! Luke Brooks was no slacker, kicking just shy of 300 metres, while recording a try & a try assist. Pat Richards drop outs and kick off's troubled the Broncos all game, often keeping the Tigers within striking distance. A good bust and a few solid runs rounded out his strong game, however a costly penalty late in the game gave the Broncos the lead. Sitaleki Akauola for the Tigers ran 13 times for 113m, the best of the beaten bunch. while Josh Mcguire cracked 100 for the Broncos.
jamesb
Guest
Agree. It was harsh
jamesb
Guest
Good game. Good to see two halfbacks taking the line on Tigers need to drop Anasta. He does nothing, other then putting pressure on Brooks
Planko
Guest
That penalty on Richards was rubbish ....
ghghgh
Roar Rookie
Devastating for the Tigers! Brooks throws an inside ball which finds no one in Black. Jack Reed picks it up and the game is OVER! BRONCOS WIN. 16-14 a thoroughly enjoyable game swaying back and forth throughout. Intense ending, either team could have won that. Heart break for the gutsy Tigers but Brooks tried to do too much at the end. Great game by the two halves though. Stat Analysis coming soon Broncos 16- Tigers 14 FULL TIME
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Roar Rookie
Brooks goes high to the right, BRONCOS KNOCK ON 5 metres out! Tigers pack the scrum 10 metres out. 25 seconds remaining, Broncos lead by 2. Tigers need a try! two plays up their sleeve
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Roar Rookie
Hunt kicks straight down the throat of Richards. Set starts from the 45 metre line, here we go!
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Roar Rookie
Last tackle near theirline, Brooks finds Keith Lulia, who SPILLS IT! Brooks showed good acceleration but Keith stuffs it up, shades of his career with the Knights. Just over 2 minutes to go and the broncos have the ball 10 out. Broncos 16 Tigers 14
ghghgh
Roar Rookie
Broncos GOAL. They take the lead 16-14 thanks to Hunt's break, and his boot. Pat Richards will look to force another error here from the kick off. Short kick off! and they Tigers RECOVER! Richards somewhat makes up for his penalty. Tigers pressing here!! 77th Minute!
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Roar Rookie
Broncos PENALTY near the Tigers goal line! Broncos make a great break through the middle, Hunt stepping up, dummying his way through the line, offloading to Copley. Copley throws it out the back to Maranta who is tackled without the ball!! Richards penalised, agonising for the Tigers. Kick to come from the Broncos, Hunt 20 out and 10 in from the sideline.
ghghgh
Roar Rookie
Tigers run it on the last after shaping for a field goal. They kick through to Barba who goes sidways to Vidot. Broncos turn to work it out of their end. No mistakes are crucial at this stage of the game 76th minute 14-14
Leroy Loggins
Guest
Perrett and the Grub Ennis didn't have to go off last night
ghghgh
Roar Rookie
Brooks RETURNS to the field. Big for the Tigers. Changeover from the Broncos, Maranta failing to get a kick in. Tigers ball 10 metres out from their own line. Big last 6 minutes. It may come down to an error 74th minute 14-14
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Roar Rookie
Hunt hoists it high and again Rowe proves his worth with a good catch. Tigers are fighting for every metre and will have to rely on Anasta as Brooks is still off and Farah is not playing. Austin steps up with a good kick downfield. I feel like the Tigers need Brooks to come back on, to win this game. Time will tell. Collision between Luani and McCoullough, head clash. MCC worse for wear here, copping a double whammy head knock. McCoullough gets up with a bloodied nose and will stay on, these NRL players are tough as nails. 73rd minute Broncos14-Tigers 14
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Roar Rookie
Luke Brooks takes on the line and unfortunately slides on the slippery surface. He cops a stray knee to the head from Andrew McCullough but gets up. He doesn't want to go off but he has to be checked under the new concussion laws. 69th Minute Broncos 14-Tigers 14.
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Roar Rookie
Kick successful! Richards boot keeping them in the game from penalty kicks, kick offs and drop outs. 14 ALL! GAME ON!! Very exciting ending in store here!! 12 minutes to go
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Roar Rookie
Broncos give away a penalty with Jarrod Wallace tangled up in the ruck. It is in range for Pat Richards and his big boot. They elect for the kick, can they level up the score?? Kick to come 67th Minute Broncos 14-Tigers 12