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Broncos v Wests Tigers: Coates out, Isaako in; Doueihi switch, Talau steps up

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These two teams lie next to each other near the bottom of the table in 14th (Wests Tigers) and 15th spot (Broncos), so any win at this point is going to be very welcome indeed.

Technically the Wests Tigers on 12 competition points lie just one victory from the top eight. But the reality is that the manner of their losses - they are 148 points in the red - means it's still a long climb over the six clubs ahead of them to get there.

Their last loss does provide a little inspiration for the task ahead. The Wests Tigers came from 26-0 down at half-time against the Rabbitohs to out-score them 22-12 in the second half of their round 16 clash.

The Broncos are still humming the team song, which they sang with vigour for only the fourth time this year after their 26-18 win over top-eight side the Sharks.

And Kevin Walters' men are back at the scene of that triumph - Suncorp Stadium - to meet the Wests Tigers. They've won three from four games there to at least have a respectable home record in a season of disappointment.

The rundown

Team news

Broncos: Kevin Walters confirmed on Saturday that Xavier Coates won't back up from his Origin III performance with Jamayne Isaako coming on to the wing. Origin rep Payne Haas, who was magnificent against the Sharks in round 16, will play.

Ethan Bullemor has 18th man duties while Coates dropped out as expected on Sunday.

Jesse Arthars comes on to the interchange for Cory Paix, who is omitted a day out from kick-off alongside Xavier Willison, who must wait for his NRL debut.

Kobe Hetherington has retained the No.13 jersey after getting a late chance to start in round 16.

Kotoni Staggs has scored seven tries in his past eight games at Suncorp Stadium.

Wests Tigers: James Roberts is in COVID isolation and out of the side after being present at an exposure site. He is replaced in the centres by Tommy Talau.

Michael Chee Kam was named 18th man when the final team was announced with Alex Seyfarth the match-day omission.

Back-rower Shawn Blore was cut 24 hours from kick-off.

Moses Mbye is the biggest name to pay the price for a horror three-week stretch which saw the joint-venture club outscored 144 to 50 by the Storm, Eels and Rabbitohs. Adam Doueihi switches back to five-eighth and Fetalaiga Pauga makes his debut in the centres with Mbye on the interchange.

Blues squad member Stefano Utoikamanu has been promoted to start along with Thomas Mikaele, relegating Alex Twal to the bench and Alex Seyfarth to reserves.

Coach Michael Maguire has named a second debutant, Tuki Simpkins, to start on the interchange.

David Nofoaluma requires one try to break his club’s all-time try-scoring record.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi Niu
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie
  • Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Fetalaiga Pauga
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 19 Tommy Talau
  • Winger for Broncos is number 21 Jamayne Isaako
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tyson Gamble
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie Croft
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Rhys Kennedy
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu 
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob Liddle
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 James Tamou
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Teui Robati
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
  • Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Thomas Flegler
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Joe Ofahengaue
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Keenan Palasia
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jordan Riki
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Tukimihia Simpkins
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Jesse Arthars
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Moses Mbye

Reserves

  • Reserve for Broncos is number 18 Ethan Bullemor
    Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Michael Chee Kam

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Darian Furner
  • Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated:

Key match-up

Tyson Gamble v Adam Doueihi: The feisty Broncos pivot is a former Wests Tiger, playing one game in 2018, while former Tigers junior Doueihi was at the Rabbitohs. Gamble's refusal to take a backward step will be important as Doueihi boasts a powerful running game. The Lebanon international did well when moved to the halves by Michael Maguire earlier in the season and will be keen to replicate that form.  

Stat attack

Daine Laurie and David Nofoaluma are in the NRL's top 12 for tackle busts, but there's not a Bronco in sight in the top 30.

 

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