The Brisbane Broncos are looking to bounce back from a last-start loss when they host the high-flying Sydney Roosters. Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
The Broncos fell victim to Manly last week, in an upset 38-24 win.
Wayne Bennett is still struggling to find the perfect halves combination, with Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima refusing to gel, both favouring their running game as opposed to taking on the responsibility of organising structure in the Broncos’ attack.
Despite losing, the Queensland club respond well to adversity and certainly won’t be out of the fight. While it will be a tough slog against the in-form Roosters, the Broncos have the experience required to challenge the opposition.
As for the Roosters, they displayed their strength through the middle of the park last week, while Cooper Cronk helped to lay the platform in their 32-0 shutout of the Warriors in Auckland.
While the Tricolours showed their ability to dominate up front, they still have room to improve in creating attacking structure. Despite some glimpses of brilliance by James Tedesco and Cronk last week, they have relied largely on their defensive efforts to get them over the line. Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Dylan Napa and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves must take charge of the middle and lay the platform for Luke Keary and Cronk to combine and create options for Latrell Mitchell to attack inside the opposition 20.
A key battle also looms in the middle of the park, following Cameron Smith’s shock retirement from representative football, with Andrew McCullough and Jake Friend the leading candidates to replace Smith as the Queensland No.9.
The Broncos and Roosters have shared some thrilling games in the past. Of 46 fixtures between the two capital city clubs, Brisbane have won 27 to Sydney’s 19 victories, with the home side also having the upper hand at Lang Park, scoring seven wins from 11 outings.
The last time they played came in week one of last year’s finals, with the Roosters winning 24-22 at the Sydney Football Stadium, rewarding them with a week off.
Prediction
The Roosters will secure a hard-fought win over Brisbane.
Roosters by 8.
Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
JN
Guest
outplayed? how? that was a very close game. Any team could have one that. It was just a good try by the Broncos that came down to it. I agree that Roosters should have won against a team with 6 out though, but the roosters are capable of anything
JN
Guest
just like Sam Burgess knew what he was doing when he took out Aiden Sezer
JN
Guest
i agree with you on Cronk as a defensive liability, but i dont agree with you on Napa. You can clearly see he was going for a big hit. Simms just stepped to the left before Napa had time to ajust, hence the head knock.
Concerned Observer
Guest
clearly, if you care enough to say that a referee cost one team the game, you absolutely do care about who won. Also, a few angles show Napa angling in with his head, I’m sure it could go either way re: intention but what happened happened. The other important thing, and if you know a lot about tackling technique you’ll have naturally seen it; is that it doesn’t look like his arms were in a position to wrap around and make a tackle Which begs the question, what was Napa planning to do? A big hit? With 5 minutes to go and the game hanging in the balance you want to put on a big hit rather than locking down the ball carrier?
Davico
Roar Pro
Glad I am not the only one who saw that! I think the Napa thing was reckless and a penalty. Sin Bin? Surely you either send him off or just on report. Thaiday may be in a bit of trouble as to me he went over and gave Napa a little tap with his head to make a point which I don't think is on and should be picked up
Davico
Roar Pro
This!
Davico
Roar Pro
The fact that he is going so hard without bothering to look proves it was reckless. Because of the step I don't think it was intentional but can't see how he does not get a week with carry over points
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The game is one of the reasons I follow rugby league,it had just about everything.Too many great moments and a couple, acts of stupidity, all wrapped in one package. Broncs deserved their win.
SteveSyd
Guest
So the better team on the night was hard done by? Penalties 11-6 to the Roosters and Broncos 6 players out then 7 after 5 mins with bench down to 3. Go easy on those latte's buddy.
steveng
Roar Rookie
HaHaaa what a joke 'Yoshi' who is 'Alex Jones'??? I'm up here in Townsville to watch the great Rabbitohs smash the Cows! I wonder how many Broncs games have you attended when they were interstate?
steveng
Roar Rookie
Mate, that is complete and utter nonsense, as I don't, but, it seems very peculiar that the Broncos get a 'leg up' in these sort of close games and it happens so often with these 2 referees! Is it a coincidence??? Or, does it come down to these two referees (Sutton and Klein) utter incompetence??? Their track record doesn't speak loudly of their 'neutrality' especially Sutton refereeing Broncos games. This is getting beyond a coincidence, its getting to a stage where there must be an investigation by the NRL! Why didn't the NRL get Matt Cecchin to referee this game??? He is the benchmark of all the refereeing in this comp. And also, the NRL, must surely know that Sutton and Klein are so controversial, in Broncos games! All I want as I'm sure many fans do as well is, a fair and a well refereed game! The result 'doesn't matter'!!!
R N
Roar Rookie
I agree. I don't think it was deliberate. It was poor technique and had a bad outcome but intentional....? He just did what Opacic did earlier in the night except with the opposite effect. Will Opacic be put on report for leading with his head or is it agreed that it was poor technique where he got his head on the wrong side?
Mike from Tari
Guest
Once again Sutton has won a game for the Broncos, I didn't care who won but a good game ruined by a wrong call and if you think Napa led with his head then you know nothing about footy.
rs1
Guest
you are joking right?
rs1
Guest
that was one of the most entertaining games for a long while. i had 2 friends over who had never seen a game of league before and they were entranced. love the broncs but kudos to both teams amazing entertainment
thomas c
Guest
Roberts try was something. and based on napa's record for intelligence, I have no confidence he wouldn't try and headbutt the opposition. I didn't see the press conference, but if Robinson is mad about anything, it should be the number of errors (14). Scoring 2 more tries would have eliminated luck as a factor. Mitchell and Keery were really good at least in the first half. Mitchell's got 10 kilos and a height advantage on roberts and most centres who don't have a sir name of Inglis. Not a lot you can do about him about from limit space and stress the rooster's game plan.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Brisbane without Gillett, Maguire, Glenn, Kahu, Bird, Haas. Opacek out in the first 5 minutes. Great effort to win that
Matt H
Roar Guru
There was so much to talk about there, but most importantly, WHAT A GAME OF FOOTBALL!
Jarryd
Guest
So what point are you making now? I never argued he didn't deserve punishment, read my first reply. The footage shows there is blatanlty no intent to strike with the head and under the current ruling his arms where out, so no shoulder charge. Therefore why is he sin binned (also if it's ruled as foul play why wasn't he sent off?) Should he cop time off for a reckless tackle? Yep. Is there a case to answer for intentional shoulder/head charge? No Should he change his technique? Probably, otherwise he'll become an example like Sam. My biggest gripe is this is what we're arguing about not how great a game that was. Latrell dominating jimmy, jimmy dominating latrell, ferguson being useless and issakko's (probably butchered that) final try off the field goal scramble.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
You're right there, FT. Mate, it wasn't like it was a face clash, Napa's forehead hits Sims in the jaw. That's the result of a little phenomenon called "leading with your head".