Wests Tigers vs Brisbane Broncos
ANZ Stadium, Saturday 8.30pm
1 Brett Hodgson (c)
2 Taniela Tuiaki
3 Dean Collis
4 Chris Lawrence
5 Shannon McDonnell
6 John Morris
7 Mathew Head
8 Bryce Gibbs
9 Dene Halatau
10 Keith Galloway
11 Todd Payten
12 Chris Heighington
13 Liam Fulton
14 Stuart Flanagan
15 Danny Galea
16 Corey Payne
17 Ben Te'o
19 Rocky Trimarchi
20 Ryan Tandy
21 Luke Harlen
22 Shannon Gallant
(four to be omitted).
Brisbane Broncos
1. Darius Boyd
2. Denan Kemp
3. Joel Moon
4. Justin Hodges
5. Reece Robinson
6. Darren Lockyer (c)
7. Peter wallace
8. Ben Hannant
9. Michael Ennis
10. Sam Thaiday
11. David Stagg
12. Ashton Sims
13. Tonie Carroll
14. Joel Clinton
15. Nick Kenny
16. Greg Eastwood
17. David Taylor
18. Derrick Watkins
(one to be omitted)
Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos Preview
ANZ Stadium, Saturday 8.30pm
THIS game shapes as a very tough one for the Wests Tigers to win. Firstly, they are playing the in-form second-placed Broncos (the Tigers are 7th).
Secondly they have three players, captain Brett Hodgson, back-rower Chris Heighington and prop Bryce Gibbs backing up from the City-Country clash the night before, compared to just one (Peter Wallace) from the Broncos.
Thirdly, coach Tim Sheens will also be away in the lead-up as he is coach of the City side; and lastly five-eighth Benji Marshall has once again succumbed to injury.
Sure they have been in reasonable form, but the Broncos are also hitting their stride and have a great record against the joint-venture unit.
Marshall’s absence (knee) means John Morris shifts back to five-eighth and Dene Halatau comes in at hooker. In a bid to cover for any injuries Stuart Flanagan, Rocky Trimarchi, Ryan Tandy, Luke Harlen and Shannon Gallant have been added to an eight-man bench.
For the Broncos, Steve Michaels is out due to a season-ending knee injury, bringing Joel Moon from the bench into the centres. Justin Hodges will start after coming from the bench last weekend, which shifts David Stagg back to the second row, Sam Thaiday back to prop and Joel Clinton back to the bench. Coach Wayne Bennett has added David Taylor and Derrick Watkins to a five-man bench.
Watch out Wests Tigers: The Broncos are lethal from all over the park, bringing back memories of the dashing sides of the early 1990s. They have scored nine tries from over halfway this season, easily the most of any side in the competition.
The Wests Tigers defence needs to be on song at all times as the Broncos aren’t afraid to start a raid from anywhere.
Darius Boyd is also in the form of his career; he leads the NRL try scoring lists with seven tries and is third in line breaks with eight.
Watch out Broncos: The Tigers have become quite the “sneak thieves” when it comes to pinching tries from dummy half. Even without the services of Robbie Farah the side has now scored four tries from acting half (best in the NRL) and the Brisbane boys need to be awake to the show-and-go.
Young centre Chris Lawrence will also be primed for a big performance after being overlooked for City Origin. With seven line breaks and five tries to his name so far this year he is proving quite the attacking dynamo.
Where it will be won: The battle of the halves will be crucial here. Mathew Head and John Morris are up against it opposing Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace – but there could be a window of opportunity for them to exploit.
Wallace is backing up from the night before and Lockyer needs to remain injury-free in order to lead the Kangaroos the following weekend in the Centenary Test at the SCG. If their minds aren’t on the job the Tigers’ boys could take control of the match.
The History: Played 14; Wests Tigers 3, Broncos 10, drawn 1. The Wests Tigers have actually won two of the past three matches but the Broncos have beaten them in all three encounters played at ANZ Stadium.
Conclusion: Brisbane deserves favouritism here but the Tigers aren’t out of it. Royce Simmons is a handy assistant coach for the Tigers to have in charge during the week and they’ll be primed knowing a win should guarantee they stay in the top eight. Cautious tipping would be to pick the Broncos; brave tipping could give the Tigers a run.
Match officials: Referee – Tony Archer; Sideline Officials – Matt Cecchin & Steve Chiddy; Video ref – Bill Harrigan.
Televised: Channel 9 – Delayed 9.30pm; FoxSports 2 – Delayed 1.30am Sun.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
Round 8: Wests Tigers vs Brisbane Broncos
Linear Mode
