The Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys are set to restore their brilliant rivalry when they face off on Friday night football under the bright lights of Suncorp Stadium. Join The Roar from 8:05pm AEDT for live scores and commentary.
Brisbane had their 2016 season ended at the hands of the Cowboys last year who won in extra time in their semi-final clash. 12 months prior in the Grand Final it was the Cowboys who were victorious in arguably one of the best grand finals of all time.
Coach Wayne Bennett has made no changes to his side from last week’s victory over Cronulla, he has included Benji Marshall and Kodi Nikorima in the 21-man squad.
The Cowboys will welcome Antonio Winterstein back from injury, with Javid Bowen the man losing his spot, and is in the 21-man squad with Gideon Gela-Mosby and Kalyn Ponga.
This game will be won in the forwards, and there was plenty of question marks over the depth of the Cowboys pack following the departure of James Tamou and Ben Hannant. But their loss was more than made up for by Matt Scott running for 200m, Scott Bolton chipping in for 166m and Jason Taumalolo showing everyone how it is done with an incredible 295m display.
On the flipside, you have the Broncos pack of Josh McGuire, Adam Blair, Matt Gillet, Korbin Sims and Sam Thaiday. All their starters ran for over 100m and Gillett and McGuire both managed over 160m, it is the battle of the packs that has me excited for this contest.
The Broncos have dominated the history between these two sides, but recent history has shown the last five matches between these sides has been decided by six points or less. With three going to extra-time.
Prediction
I think we are going to get some bonus minutes in this game with the Broncos winning in extra time.
Join The Roar from 8:05pm AEDT for live scores and commentary.
Mandrake
Guest
The barry - a decision went to the team behind on the scoreboard - say it aint so???
Mandrake
Guest
Extra time - who would have guessed? Watch the raiders on Saturday for second half squareups
doogs
Guest
When I watch these two teams play I think "Oh, that was the greatest game I have ever watched". Then they play again and seem to outdo it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hard to argue against golden point when they turn out like that. Not all of them do though.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'd like to see the referees call out the continual incompetence of the commentators...?
AD
Guest
How good is Queensland rugby league!!
Haz
Guest
I live in WA and I absolutely love it. Couldn't give a toss about AFL, Union or A-League...NRL during winter and cricket over summer, that'll do me nicely. Westside Bronco.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Wow what a horrible game. Wish there was no extra time. Nah that was brilliant.
Hard Yards
Guest
Oh goody. Someone feels threatened.
Wolly
Roar Guru
This is an opinion site, if you don't like it try a different one or even a different tab.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Lame...if you watched that game and didn't enjoy it you've got no idea. If you didn't watch the game and have come here just to bag it...get a life.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I am a diehard leaguie...that's why I wrote it. Better than a try hard troll who goes onto a live blog to sniff out an opportunity to bag another code.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It is cared about outside of Queensland and NSW. But those two places naturally get the media attention and so it is easy to fall for the view that nobody else cares.
Gregory
Guest
So true Mandrake. I can yell you what will happen 3 days before the game kicks off. It keep the League community hyped and excited
Adsa
Guest
Onya Cows
Gregory
Guest
Why isn't it cared about outside of QLD and parts of NSW if its the greatest? Its just diehard Leaguies go on with that rubbish
Andrew
Guest
If Boyd does not score it is a 8 point penalty try. So Boyd scores and it becomes a 6 point play. Dammed if you do Boyd leaves the ball and dammed if you do if Boyd scores. Boyd scores and a 8 point try becomes 6. If the referee does not appoint an 8 point try then why was it not determined to be a professional foul and the player sent to the bin for 5 or 10. In the essence of the game 2 points wins. Great game but it was a pity it was decided by the referee. PITY....
The Barry
Roar Guru
You're not wrong mate. I thought last night was a great game but every Cows v Broncs game ends up like this. Great rivarly...
Nudge
Guest
Wow, that's an amazing get. Hope you had some coin on that
BigJ
Roar Guru
this is quickly becoming (if not already) the rivarly of the century and will be hard for any teams to match