Broncos v Wests Tigers: Same 17 for Kevvie; Naden out for Sheens
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The winless Wests Tigers head to Brisbane on Saturday night with few people giving them a chance but memories of an upset victory over the Broncos in Round 20 last year will give Tim Sheens' men a flicker of hope.
Reeling at the bottom of the NRL ladder, nobody was tipping the Tigers to defeat the red-hot Broncos in 2022 and few will be backing them this week but there were signs of improvement against the Storm and Sheens will look to build on those.
New recruits John Bateman and Api Koroisau did their best to lift Wests Tigers back from the Storm's early lead on Friday but errors in possession errors and some poor defence consigned them to a fourth straight loss.
The Broncos, meanwhile, are flying high after defeating the Dolphins 18-12 in the inaugural battle of Brisbane on Friday night and will be looking forward to an arguably easier run in the weeks ahead with games against the Wests Tigers, Raiders and Titans.
With Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas and Reece Walsh in rare form the Broncos are well on track for a finals appearance after the disappointment of last year's fadeout.
Haas leads the NRL in post-contact metres with 344 while the electric Walsh sits atop the line break assists tally with seven.
Match: Broncos v Wests Tigers
Round 5 -
home Team
Broncos
1st Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Broncos: The Broncos are 1-17 with no game day changes. Coach Kevin Walters has named the same 17 that snuck past the Dolphins in a classic at Suncorp Stadium in Round 4. Kobe Hetherington dropped out of the extended squad on Friday after returning from a pre-season biceps injury via the Hostplus Cup last week.
Wests Tigers: No further changes on game day after Brent Naden dropped out of the squad on Friday night due to an infection. Starford To'a takes his place at centre after originally being named on the bench. Back-rower Shawn Blore is the new addition to the interchange. Adam Doueihi has retained the job at fullback, with Daine Laurie dropping out of the squad for Round 5, while Brandon Wakeham keeps the No.6 jersey.
Match: Broncos v Wests Tigers
Round 5 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Adam Doueihi
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Winger for Broncos is number 2 Jesse ArtharsWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Wests Tigers is number 17 Starford To'a
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Brandon Wakeham
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
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Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole
Interchange
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory PaixInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Keenan PalasiaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Corey JensenInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Justin Matamua
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin TaupauInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Shawn Blore
Reserves
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Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Deine MarinerReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Joe Ofahengaue
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos are aiming for a perfect five from five start to a season for the first time since 1998.
- Wests Tigers have won their past four games against the Broncos.
- Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored four tries in his past three games.
- Tigers fullback Adam Doueihi has scored six tries in his past six games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Broncos play their fourth consecutive game at Suncorp Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
