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Sea Eagles v Broncos: Taupau, Paseka return; Flegler locked in

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The Sea Eagles recorded a Turbo-charged win over the Warriors at home last week while Brisbane all-but got the job done in Townsville before being brought undone by a Valentine Holmes field goal.

Manly have won four of five games since star fullback Tom Trbojevic's return, with only the unstoppable Panthers getting the better of them, but their No.1 produced easily his most dominant match of the year so far, scoring or setting up six of his team's seven tries and helping them snap a six-game losing run at home in the process.

While they are officially the home team this weekend in Magic Round, the game will be played on the Broncos' Suncorp Stadium home turf in a direct repeat of the first Magic Round in 2019, when Brisbane ran out 26-10 winners over Manly. 

Kevin Walters' men will be stinging after that 19-18 loss to the Cowboys last weekend in what could have been consecutive wins over the other two Queensland sides after triumphing against Gold Coast a week earlier. 

The rundown

Team news

Sea Eagles: Martin Taupau makes his return from a head knock via the interchange bench with Sean Keppie promoted to the starting side an hour before kick-off.

Prop Taniela Paseka will play after copping a couple of head knocks in the win over the Warriors and getting through HIA protocols.

Christian Tuipulotu and Ben Trbojevic were the first to drop out of the squad 24 hours out from game time. Tevita Funa was the last man omitted on game day and Zac Saddler is 18th man.

Back-rower Curtis Sironen (knee) must wait at least another week to make his comeback from injury. 

Since Tom Trbojevic’s return the Sea Eagles have increased their points scored per game from 9.4 to 32.5.

Broncos: The Broncos are 1-17 with David Mead the last man omitted and Keenan Palasia 18th man.

Thomas Flegler steps into the No.13 role after Patrick Carrigan's season was ended by an ACL injury with John Asiata moving up to take Flegler's spot on the interchange. 

With Carrigan out, Brisbane also needed a new captain and hooker Jake Turpin has been handed the armband ahead of more experienced options such as Anthony Milford, Payne Haas, Matthew Lodge and Tevita Pangai jnr.

Tesi Niu and aspiring NRL debutant Brendan Piakura were the first two players cut 24 hours before kick-off.

Winger Corey Oates has scored eight tries in his past six games against the Sea Eagles.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
    Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Jamayne Isaako
  • Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
    Winger for Broncos is number 2 Xavier Coates
  • Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
    Centre for Broncos is number 3 Herbie Farnworth
  • Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Morgan Harper
    Centre for Broncos is number 4 Jesse Arthars
  • Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
    Winger for Broncos is number 5 Corey Oates
  • Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran Foran
    Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
  • Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
    Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Tyson Gamble

Forwards

  • Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
    Prop for Broncos is number 8 Matthew Lodge
  • Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
    Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
  • Prop for Sea Eagles is number 16 Sean Keppie
    Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
  • 2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jordan Riki
  • 2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Josh Schuster
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior 
  • Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
    Lock for Broncos is number 13 Thomas Flegler

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
    Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Danny Levi
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Cade Cust
    Interchange for Broncos is number 15 John Asiata
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Mosese Suli
    Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley
    Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Rhys Kennedy

Reserves

  • Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 18 Zac Saddler
    Reserve for Broncos is number 18 Keenan Palasia

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara

Last updated:

Key match-up

Martin Taupau v Payne Haas: Manly firebrand Taupau is coming off a rest this week having sat out round nine due to a head knock. He returns via the bench and will be keen to make a statement against the in form Haas when he is sent into the fray by Des Hasler. Tireless Blues prop Haas has been phenomenal over the past month for the Broncos.

Stat attack

Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic's remarkable stat line since returning from injury now reads five tries, eight try assists, nine line breaks and over 800 metres in four games.

 

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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.