NRL 2020: Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, final chance for Seibold, Holbrook to confirm backlines

Broncos v Titans: Taylor good to go; Bird v Isaako II

Author: Alicia Newton NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Sat 29 Feb 2020, 01:15 PM

A final chance for the big guns to tune up for round one and fringe players to stake their claims when the Broncos host the Titans at Dolphin Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Both clubs fielded a mix of experience and youth in last week's trials but the final game of the summer will prove to be pivotal a fortnight out from the 2020 Telstra Premiership.

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has decisions to make around his backline and bench make-up, while Justin Holbrook will be hoping for a strong performance all-round leading into a tough start to the NRL season for the Titans.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 29 Feb

Full Time

Broncos

Titans

Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Highlights Latest

The Rundown

Team news

Broncos: 1. Jack Bird 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Darius Boyd 5. Xavier Coates 6. Anthony Milford 7. Brodie Croft 8. Tom Flegler 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Tevita Pangai jnr 13. Patrick Carrigan Interchange 14. Jamayne Isaako 15. Herbie Farnworth 16. Jesse Arthars 17. Tesi Niu 18. Richie Kennar 19. Tom Dearden 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Jordan Riki 22. Andrew McCullough 23. Joe Ofahengaue 24. Rhys Kennedy 25. Jamil Hopoate 26. Ethan Bullemor

Aside from Jordan Kahu (shoulder), Matt Lodge (knee) and captain Alex Glenn (hamstring, rested), the Broncos have all their topliners available and named a powerful squad. Anthony Milford got through last week's trial unscathed after concerns around a hamstring injury in the Nines campaign. Coach Anthony Seibold may have dropped some hints to his likely round one squad, with Jack Bird being named at fullback ahead of Jamayne Isaako and Jake Turpin getting the nod at hooker over Andrew McCullough. Corey Oates will play his first match of 2020 after shaking off a leg infection in the pre-season.

Titans: 1. Phil Sami 2. Anthony Don 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Brian Kelly 5. Jonus Pearson 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ash Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Sam Lisone 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Jai Arrow Interchange 14. Jai Whitbread 15. Tyrone Peachey 16. Nathan Peats 17. Tanah Boyd 18. Dale Copley 19. Sam Stone 20. Jaimin Jolliffe 21. Erin Clark 22. Greg Leleisiuao

Ash Taylor has overcome a minor calf complaint and will take the field after sitting out last week's trial against Burleigh Bears. Fellow playmaker Tyrone Roberts (ankle) failed to finish the All Stars clash but has been named to play, while AJ Brimson (back) and Shannon Boyd (shoulder) are set to return for round one. Former Warrior Sam Lisone will slot straight into the front-row for his new team.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 29 Feb

Full Time

Broncos

Titans

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Jack Bird

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Phillip Sami
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates

Winger for Titans is number 2 Anthony Don
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for Titans is number 3 Kallum Watkins
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Darius Boyd

Centre for Titans is number 4 Brian Kelly
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier Coates

Winger for Titans is number 5 Jonus Pearson
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford

Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Tyrone Roberts
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie Croft

Halfback for Titans is number 7 Ashley Taylor

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler

Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin

Hooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch Rein
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas

Prop for Titans is number 10 Sam Lisone
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior

2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Lock for Titans is number 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Jamayne Isaako

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Jai Whitbread
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Herbie Farnworth

Interchange for Titans is number 15 Tyrone Peachey
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Jesse Arthars

Interchange for Titans is number 16 Nathan Peats
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Tesi Niu

Interchange for Titans is number 17 Tanah Boyd

Reserves

Reserve for Broncos is number 18 Richard Kennar

Reserve for Titans is number 18 Dale Copley
Reserve for Broncos is number 19 Tom Dearden

Reserve for Titans is number 19 Sam Stone
Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Tyson Gamble

Reserve for Titans is number 20 Jaimin Jolliffe
Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Jordan Riki

Reserve for Titans is number 21 Erin Clark
Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Andrew McCullough

Reserve for Titans is number 22 Greg Leleisiuao
Reserve for Broncos is number 23 Joe Ofahengaue

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 12/8/2022 3:40:30 AM

The big question

Broncos: Does Jack Bird seal the No.1 jersey with another strong performance? Seibold was tight-lipped on which way he's leaning but a decent showing from Bird against the Cowboys last weekend could have him in front of Jamayne Isaako. With Darius Boyd's centre switch all but confirmed, Isaako needs a big game to get his nose back in front.

Titans: Can Ash Taylor rediscover his form ahead of the 2020 season? Taylor looked good in the brief time he was on the field at the Nines. From all reports, he's had a chance to freshen up mentally and physically. A pre-season test against his former club Brisbane should hold him in good stead and give Holbrook a chance to see his key playmaker in action for the first time.