Broncos v Roosters: Farnworth out, Milford on bench; Crichton banned
The Roosters had a glimpse at what finals football might look like last round, falling short in a couple of key areas as they conceded 20 points in the loss to the Panthers.
The Roosters made 12 errors and conceded eight penalties, which wasn't what they needed when they were level-pegging with Penrith in possession, tackle-busts and line breaks.
The Broncos can't make it to the NRL finals but they don't mind forming a few roadblocks for those teams trying to get there. They only trailed the Knights by four points at half-time last weekend, scored four tries to put up a decent fight before losing 28-20.
Match: Broncos v Roosters
Round 22 -
home Team
Broncos
15th Position
away Team
Roosters
4th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The rundown
Team news
Broncos: David Mead replaces Herbie Farnworth, who failed to finish training on Thursday due to illness and a leg injury, while Anthony Milford replaces Ethan Bullemor on the bench.
Cory Paix is Brisbane's 18th man.
Farnworth and Brendan Piakura dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off.
Thomas Flegler returns from suspension to bolster the Brisbane pack with Albert Kelly replacing Brodie Croft in the halves.
Selwyn Cobbo comes in at centre for Jesse Arthars while Xavier Coates gets a start on the wing at the expense of Jamayne Isaako.
The Broncos have won only two from 13 against top-eight opposition this season, which included an upset win over the Roosters in round 11.
Roosters: Trent Robinson's team will start 1-17 with Brad Abbey the 18th man.
Sitili Tupouniua replaces Angus Crichton (suspension) in the second row with Joey Manu reverting back to centre this week.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is carrying a number of niggling injuries and will be given a rest this week. Naufahu Whyte joins the bench in JWH's absence.
Ben Marschke and Tuku Hau Tapuha were omitted from the reserves list on Thursday night.
The Roosters have lost six of their past seven games against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Match: Broncos v Roosters
Round 22 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi NiuFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Selwyn CobboCentre for Roosters is number 3 Adam Keighran
-
Centre for Broncos is number 21 David MeadCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Roosters is number 5 Dale Copley
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew Hutchison
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Albert KellyHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Roosters is number 8 Isaac Liu
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Danny LeviHooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe HetheringtonLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Xavier WillisonInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Lachlan Lam
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Rhys KennedyInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Teui RobatiInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Fletcher Baker
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Anthony MilfordInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Naufahu Whyte
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 18 Cory PaixReserve for Roosters is number 20 Brad Abbey
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Payne Haas vs Siosiua Taukeiaho: Haas ran for 164 metres last week against the Knights last round, but nearly half of those (64 post-contact metres) was dragging one or two defenders. With his front-row partner Jared Waerea-Hargreaves being rested, Taukeiaho will look to step up and nullify Haas' impact. The two-time premiership player is averaging 127 metres per game in 2021 has a massive role to play if the Roosters are to make some noise come September.
Stat attack
Considering the poor form of the Broncos the past couple of years, they still match-up just fine against the Roosters with 32 wins in their 55 meetings.
The Roosters have only won two of their previous four games against Brisbane, and who can forget the 34-16 loss in round 11 at the SCG this year, when the visitors piled on 18 points to two in the second half.
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