Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters: NRL live scores, blog

Round 22 of the NRL premiership kicks off tonight when the Brisbane Broncos take on the Sydney Roosters at the Gabba in Brisbane. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).

The Roosters passed their first test of sudden death football last Saturday afternoon against the Titans. In reality, the stakes go even higher tonight with a clash against a Broncos team that is confirming its status as one of the premiership favourites.

Brisbane’s match up against the Rabbitohs was supposed to be a tightly fought affair. Instead, the Broncos ran away to a 36-20 win.

The Broncos have a first class pack lead by Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas. If they can control the middle, Adam Reynolds kicking game comes into play. In addition, Reynolds has an exciting backline that he can shift into gear. Reece Walsh, at the moment, is one of the form players of the competition.

Thomas Flegler returns from a foot injury, which pushes Keenan Palasia back to the bench. Jesse Arthars and Martin Taupau are both suspended, replaced by Deine Mariner and Brendan Piakura respectively.

The Roosters returned to something approaching their best last weekend, leading the Titans 36-0 last weekend before easing to a 36-18 win. Whilst Trent Robinson wouldn’t have been happy with 3 late tries, he would have been impressed with the improved attack.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Lindsay Collins were impressive up front. James Tedesco and Luke Keary were punching holes in the Titans right side defence before opportunities opened up through the middle.

There is only one change to the Roosters 17, with Victor Radley returning from injury at lock. Nathan Brown goes back to the bench and Siua Wong moves to the reserves.

Prediction

I don’t expect the Roosters to gain dominance up front in this one. It will be a grind early but I expect the Broncos to slowly get on top. From there, Reynolds and his Broncos backline could light things up. Broncos by 14

Game information

Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Broncos $1.37 Roosters $3.10 – odds via PlayUp

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Xavier Willison 19. Jock Madden 20. Tristan Sailor 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Jordan Pereira

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Corey Allan 19. Siua Wong 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Dylan Napa