Broncos
20
Match Complete
Rabbitohs
22
| J. Isaako |  | 76 | ||
| K. Staggs |  | 75 | ||
| J. Isaako | | 67 | ||
| D. Fifita | | 66 | ||
| 64 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 63 | | D. Cook | ||
| 62 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 60 | | C. Walker | ||
| 59 |  | A. Reynolds | ||
| J. Isaako | | 49 | ||
| J. Isaako | | 34 | ||
| D. Fifita | | 33 | ||
| 25 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 23 | | D. Gagai | ||
| 17 | | A. Reynolds |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Brisbane Broncos play host to the South Sydney Rabbitohs in this Friday Night Football blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
Plenty to talk about going into this one. Apart from the obvious clash of coaches after Anthony Seibold and Wayne Bennett swapped clubs during the offseason, there is a South Sydney Rabbitohs side aiming to correct a disastrous form slump, while the Broncos will be desperate to win and avoid slipping out of the top eight.
Talk this week has centered around the Rabbitohs playing “tired”. Sam Burgess is clearly playing injured, while rumours are circulating that Damien Cook and Adam Reynolds are both carrying injuries as well.
They are already missing George Burgess through his 10-week suspension for eye-gouging Robbie Farah. Twin brother Tom will also miss this game due to a knee injury picked up in last week’s unexpected loss to the Bulldogs. That leaves an injured Sam Burgess and Liam Knight to take on this mighty Brisbane forward pack, led by the teenage behemoth Payne Haas.
The Broncos have been forced to make changes with the suspension of both Tevita Pangai Jr and Jake Turpin. The loss of Pangai is particularly devastating as he will not play again in 2019 unless the Broncos make it to the preliminary final. However, his loss has been offset by the return of Matt Gillett from a back injury, while Sean O’Sullivan comes into the side to replace Turpin at halfback.
Prediction
It’ll be very interesting to see who comes away with the chocolates in this one.
On the one hand, South Sydney haven’t looked like winning for months – even when they beat the Dragons 3 weeks ago they had to score a freak try in the corner in the final minute of the game just to jag the narrow win against one of the worst-performing teams of 2019.
On the other hand, this is the sort of stuff that Wayne Bennett eats for breakfast. Backs against the wall, several key players either out or playing busted, and going up to Suncorp Stadium to face his old side the Broncos. If the old coach has a trick up his sleeve, you can bet he’s been saving it for this game.
Then there’s the Broncos, who themselves have been patchy at best this year, and very difficult for the punters to get a good read on. A bit part team, with Darius Boyd at five-eighth and Anthony Milford at fullback, displaying their best form of the season with a rookie hooker Jake Turpin steering the ship at halfback.
The Broncos will really miss Turpin. His tenacity and effort have been a big part of their recent turnaround in form, yet part of me thinks the Broncos could really benefit from having a genuine organising halfback like Sean O’Sullivan to lead them round the park.
This is a tough one to pick. I’m going to take a leap of faith and back the Rabbitohs to bounce back, but not with any confidence whatsoever.
Rabbitohs by 6.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm (AEST).
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
When: 7:50pm
TV: Channel 9, Fox League
Streaming: NRL Digital Pass, 9 Now, Kayo Sports
Broncos: 1. Anthony Milford 5. Jamayne Isaako 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Alex Glenn 2. Corey Oates 6. Darius Boyd 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Matt Gillett 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. James Segeyaro 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Gehamat Shibasaki 17. Patty Carrigan 18. Rhys Kennedy 19. Izaia Perese 20. Shaun Fensom 21. Fanitesi Niu
Rabbitohs: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. Dane Gagai 3. James Roberts 4. Kyle Turner 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Sam Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Liam Knight 11. John Sutton 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Cameron Murray 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Ethan Lowe 16. Dean Britt 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Tom Amone 19. Corey Allan 20. Bayley Sironen 21. Connor Tracey
Macho
Guest
Another genius referess contrived finish - no wonder he gets the big games though missed out on SOO
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It shocked me how many times Sutton had to be told to play the ball. I don’t think anyone would’ve blamed the ref for blowing a penalty then even though it would’ve been the first time in my recollection I’ve ever seen a penalty called for it. It’s one of those “forgotten” rules.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It just confirms what many fans have suspected for a long while. Having one extra man in rugby league isn’t nearly as big an advantage as commentators and media make it out to be.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Both Roberts and Su'A let the occasion and their resentment for their treatment by the Broncos overwhelm them. No doubt they were baited by their former teammates and gave in to the temptation for immediate revenge. It isn't part of the Rabbitohs game (along with George Burgess's eye gouge) and these players need to put their teammates, the club and their fans at the top of their list of priorities and stop sabotaging the Rabbitohs chances for making the top 4, the GF and winning their 22nd premiership. Su'A might get lucky at the judiciary (not that he deserves to) but Roberts is gone! A late shot once play was dead to the back of the head can NEVER be tolerated. Given the recent leniency to Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who tried to bend Dean Britt's neck as though had was a rubber chicken, and the repeated "bumper bar" forearms to the face and throat of opponents by Big Nelson and Kamikamica the MRC and judiciary have backed themselves into a corner and exposed the fact that they play favourites. The system only works if it is BOTH impartial and consistent.
Big Daddy
Guest
So if it's outside the field of play it's assault and can be charged by the authorities.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Still a LONG way to go and 7 players to return including the ONLY player that does the job at FB, Alex Johnston. The key last night was Souths defence, especially with a man in the bin for 20 mins of the game, and Souths won that period 4 - 2. Additionally Cook's efforts out of dummy half was another major factor and, as Bennett said, beyond that how he was able to bring other players into the game. Finally, as I tipped before the game, with Souths down on BIG forwards and relying on a smaller more mobile pack they had to look at increasing their second phase play to catch the bigger Broncos forwards off guard. Going into the game they were ranked 16th for offloads. They finished the game with 17 offloads! Last week I think they had none and their average is around 3 a game. That made a HUGE difference and helped Cook, Walker and Reynolds to carve the Broncos up. Haas got exposed by Cook and the Bunnies offloading the ball.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
That's not how I saw it mate. I haven't seen a replay since but the ball didn't touch the line IMO, the FOX Sports commentators questioned it and thought that Souths were unlucky as well. It's much easy for you to get specs than the 4 of us. Look into it mate. ;-)
Nat
Roar Guru
You would think Jet will be joining TPJ on holidays but he'll get Judge Snyder and his "Souths boys will be boys" verdict from the judiciary. ;)
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
just watched the match highlights this morning,and of course wanted the Bunnies to win so our slim chances can stay alive, but I've not seen a more blatant send off offense this year. smacking a player in the back of the head with your elbow as they're on the ground after the play is complete? that's verging on criminal and he should be banned for a very long time.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
I fully acknowledge I have a bias against the club that has delayed the growth of the game purely by its existence not to mention the favourable treatment it has consistently received on and off the field since it’s reinstatement. Still a send off to me if Bennett “wants to get rid of the thugs” like the other article earlier in the week
The Barry
Roar Guru
I tipped against every result the Dogs need to go their way this week and so far I’m 0/3. Happier for it to work out that way to be honest! Bit more for Souths fans to like from that game than they’ve shown in a while.
RM
Guest
It's absolutely bizarre that one. I had to go back and watch it on replay three times and I still can't quite believe he hasn't scored. He gets the ball one metre from the line and just has to get low and dive over. Try. Instead he actually raises his body height, getting upright and looks ACTUALLY LOOKS for contact with the cover defender. Who did a fine job, by the way...but jeez. Absolutely baffling finishing from Boyd.
elvis
Roar Rookie
He just needed to put the ball on the line, not 3 metres over it.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Milford didn't take the ball dead. The commentators thought he did, then they looked at the replay and shut up. The point of the ball bounces on the line, you can see it quite clearly on the replay. Do you guys watch the game half cut without your specs or something?
Roar GOAT
Roar Rookie
Boyd bombing the try when he was held up over the line cost the game, amateur from a supposed great finisher. Good tackle yes but he just needed to spin and he was unstoppable. A third grader scored that.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Darius Boyd has made a career around feigning injury to get a breather or run the clock down especially for QLD! Cam Smith, another QLDer, invented this ruse btw.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Very guttsy win Bunnies, not easy to win up there. Didn’t like the grubby play from Jimmy and S’ua though, could be missing those guys in the next couple of weeks.
Rod
Guest
Your bias against Souths is plainly obvious , given what they send players of for in the modern game. It wasn’t even close to a send off . You won’t agree but you are consistent and predictable. I guess I can’t be to critical Otherwise
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
The guy that brings up Alfie being on the field 6 times a thread is banging on someone about an old joke?
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Sadly, I'm 1 from 3 TB and I nearly jumped off Souths before kick-off but came to my senses just in time. ;-) Currently "the hare" (aka Papi) is 33rd with my fluffy tail just infront of Dogs Boddy and DPS (aka "the tortoise") is nowhere to be seen. But maybe, just maybe, "the tortoise" can catch "the hare" just like the story says. I'm going backwards at present. I was 28th last week! Oh, you were talking about the astronomical odds required for the Dogs to make the final 8 not the NRL tipping? Oops! My bad. ;-)