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Match Preview

Broncos v Panthers: Haas among key ins; Koroisau returns

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pan66.com
Timestamp

Brisbane's nightmare season doesn't get any easier when the ladder-leading Panthers visit Suncorp Stadium.

Brisbane have conceded 30 points or more on eight different occasions over their first 16 matches of the season.

If they aren't on their game against a Panthers outfit that has played some sparkling football in 2020, another night with far too many team huddles in their own in-goal is on the cards.

If the Panthers are able to snare the two points, their minor premiership dreams will be within touching distance.

The Rundown

Team news

Broncos: The Broncos are 1-17. Prop Payne Haas, hooker Issac Luke and winger Corey Oates are named to return. Herbie Farnworth shifts to centre with Jordan Kahu out, Cory Paix drops to the bench with Brodie Croft bumped out of the 17, and Joe Ofahengaue is suspended. 

Croft and Tyson Gamble were cut from the reserves list 24 hours before kick-off. Jesse Arthars and Pride Petterson-Robati were omitted an hour before kick-off.

The Broncos have won their past four games against the Panthers.

Panthers: Hooker Api Koroisau makes his return from a calf injury in jersey No.18. He replaces Mitch Kenny in the starting side. Billy Burns was the other player cut an hour before kick-off.

Viliame Kikau returns from suspension in the back row but lock Isaah Yeo is out due to a head knock. Moses Leota starts at prop with James Fisher-Harris in No.13 and Tyrone May reverting to the pine. Kurt Capewell is set to make his long-awaited return from a knee injury on the bench. 

Matt Burton and Pat Hollis were omitted from the reserves 24 hours before kick-off.

The Panthers are aiming to become the first team to win 12 consecutive games since Cronulla in 2016.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Darius Boyd
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
  • Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Josh Mansour
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Brent Naden
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
    Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
  • Winger for Broncos is number 5 Richard Kennar
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Sean O'Sullivan
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Tom Dearden
    Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Payne Haas
    Prop for Panthers is number 8 James Tamou
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Issac Luke
    Hooker for Panthers is number 18 Apisai Koroisau
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Rhys Kennedy
    Prop for Panthers is number 10 Moses Leota
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 David Fifita
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Ben Te'o
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
  • Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 James  Fisher-Harris

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory Paix
    Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Tyrone May
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Jordan Riki
    Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Spencer Leniu
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
    Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Kurt Capewell
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jamil Hopoate
    Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Zane Tetevano

Match Officials

  • Referee: Matt Cecchin
  • Touch Judge: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Tom Dearden v Nathan Cleary. At this stage of their careers Cleary has the advantage, but Dearden would love nothing more than to one day reach the heights his next opponent already has. Every halfback would struggle in a side playing as badly as the Broncos have during large swathes of the 2020 season.

Stat Attack

The last thing a team that struggles to compete for the full 80 minutes needs is to give away penalties. The Broncos have conceded 103 in their first 16 matches - making them the only team in triple figures.

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.