The wheels have come off the Broncos in the past fortnight after a rousing start to the season against the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs.
Kevin Walters will be most concerned by his side's defence which has leaked nine tries in the past two games, and the Roosters' form against the Cowboys will give the Broncos mentor some sleepless nights this week.
Injuries to Albert Kelly and Pat Carrigan compounded the issues for the Broncos and their depth will be tested as they look to get things back on track at home.
The Roosters rolled into Townsville and produced some of their best footy of the season to send an ominous warning to all their rivals that a top-four finish is very much on their radar in 2022.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Broncos v Roosters
The Rundown
Team news
Broncos: Pat Carrigan (knee, 4-6 weeks) and Albert Kelly (foot, mid-late season) are out, along with the suspended Tom Flegler. Billy Walters starts in the halves, Keenan Palasia starts at prop, Kobe Hetherington starts at lock, Kurt Capewell returns in the back row for his 100th game, TC Robati drops to the bench while Cory Paix and Corey Jensen join the bench with Brenko Lee also out.
There were no changes in the 24-hour squad update.
Roosters: Drew Hutchison will start at hooker, with Connor Watson moving back to the interchange. Siosiua Taukeiaho dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour update, with Lindsay Collins moving to the starting side and Fletcher Baker into the 17 on the bench.
Match: Broncos v Roosters
Round 5 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi NiuFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Roosters is number 3 Paul Momirovski
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Roosters is number 5 Kevin Naiqama
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Billy WaltersFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sam Walker
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Keenan PalasiaProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake TurpinHooker for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Roosters is number 17 Lindsay Collins
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
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Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe HetheringtonLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Ryan JamesInterchange for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey JensenInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Teui RobatiInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Angus Crichton
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Cory PaixInterchange for Roosters is number 24 Fletcher Baker
Reserves
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Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Tyson GambleReplacement for Roosters is number 20 Lachlan Lam
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Payne Haas v Jared Waerea-Hargreaves: The young bull and the old bull. Haas has run for 686 metres at an average of 170 metres per game but at times seems to be playing a lone hand for the Broncos. JWH is one of the game's most respected front-rowers and made a phenomenal 184 metres from 18 runs in 38 minutes of game time against the Cowboys. The spiritual leader of the Roosters' pack will make it his mission to try and curb Haas' influence and lay a platform for Luke Keary and Sam Walker to shine.
Stat attack
With star recruit Adam Reynolds taking some time to find his groove the Broncos have managed just eight tries in their opening four games while the Roosters' tally of 15 tries is top five in the NRL.
