Broncos v Raiders: Unchanged side for Kevvie; Sasagi steps up
The Raiders needed every bit of 90 minutes to squeeze past the winless Titans in golden point but their ability to find a way out of a tight spot will have pleased coach Ricky Stuart.
The Broncos, meanwhile, were clinical in their disposal of the Dolphins, continuing a rollercoaster start to the season that has seen them go L-W-L-W-L-W across the opening six rounds.
With Reece Walsh back on deck and Payne Haas an outside chance of a return, the Broncos will look to settle into a rhythm and get some wins under their belt before the Origin player drain hits in early June.
They confront a Raiders side that boasts a potent mix of youth and experience - Ethan Strange, Xavier Savage and James Schiller providing the speed and flair, and warhorses Joseph Tapine and Josh Papalii eating up the metres.
The forward battle promises to be a beauty at Suncorp Stadium and whoever gains the ascendancy in the middle will lay the platform for the speed men to do the rest.
The last time the sides met in Brisbane it was the Raiders who prevailed 20-12 on the back of a Jordan Rapana double and a monster night from Papalii, who ran for 156 metres in 44 minutes of game time.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Broncos v Raiders
Team News
Broncos: Coach Kevin Walters has named an unchanged side with skipper Adam Reynolds (hamstring) and forward leader Payne Haas (knee) not yet ready to return. Jock Madden again steers the ship at halfback after getting the job done against the Dolphins. The Broncos are 1-17, with Martin Taupau named as the 18th man.
Raiders: One forced change from last week with Zac Hosking (shoulder) replaced in the second row by Simi Sasagi, who was initially named on the bench but was promoted to start in a late swap with Ata Mariota. After a solid NRL debut in the win over the Titans, Chevy Stewart retains the job at fullback, with James Schiller again on the wing in the absence of Albert Hopoate, who has been left out for another week after suffering burns in a cooking accident last month.
Match: Broncos v Raiders
Round 7 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Raiders is number 1 Chevy Stewart
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Raiders is number 2 James Schiller
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Selwyn CobboCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse ArtharsWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Jock MaddenHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey JensenProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Fletcher BakerProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jaiyden Hunt2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Raiders is number 15 Simi Sasagi
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson SmoothyInterchange for Raiders is number 12 Ata Mariota
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Xavier WillisonInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Kobe HetheringtonInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Trey Mooney
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Tristan SailorInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami Saulo
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Martin TaupauReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Kaeo Weekes
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have won their past five games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Raiders have won four of their past six games against the Broncos.
- Broncos centre Selwyn Cobbo has scored five tries in three games against the Raiders.
- Raiders winger James Schiller has scored seven tries in his past four NRL games.
- Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has scored eight tries in his past 10 games.
Match: Broncos v Raiders
Round 7 -
home Team
Broncos
5th Position
away Team
Raiders
7th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
