The high-flying Brisbane Broncos will host an improved Roosters side who need to win to stay in a hunt for the finals when the sides meet at the Gabba on Thursday night.
The Broncos continued their winning ways last weekend in a strong showing against the Rabbitohs, but were hit hard by the judiciary with both winger Jesse Arthars and forward Martin Taupau to miss this week's match with suspension.
The Roosters found form in their dominant win against the Titans, with their attack firing in the first half to post a 30-0 halftime lead before running out 36-18 winners.
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Team news
Broncos: With Brendan Piakura withdrawing from the squad on Wednesday after failing to overcome a virus, Queensland Origin lock Pat Carrigan shifts to the right edge and Keenan Palasia comes in to start at lock. Xavier Willison is the new addition to the bench. Deine Mariner comes onto the wing for the suspended Jesse Arthars while Martin Taupau (suspension) is also out. There were no further late changes.
Roosters: Victor Radley returns after missing Round 21 with hamstring tightness and will start at lock. The squad will take the field as named mid-week, with Brandon Smith starting at hooker and Jake Turpin moving back to the bench.
Match: Broncos v Roosters
Round 22 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Deine MarinerWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
-
Lock for Broncos is number 17 Keenan PalasiaLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson SmoothyInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Jake Turpin
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey JensenInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Nathan Brown
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Kobe HetheringtonInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Xavier WillisonInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher Baker
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 19 Jock MaddenReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Corey Allan
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou needs one try to break the all-time record for most tries for the foundation club. He currently shares the mark with former captain Anthony Minichiello with 139 tries.
- Only eight Broncos players have achieved an NRL victory against the Roosters.
- The Roosters have won five of their past six games against the Broncos.
- Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds has scored 32 points in his past two games.
- Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored six tries in his past five games.
Match: Broncos v Roosters
Round 22 -
home Team
Broncos
1st Position
away Team
Roosters
14th Position
Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
