Broncos v Storm: Staggs, Haas sidelined; Coates a late inclusion
One of the NRL's great modern-day rivalries will have a very different feel about it in Round 27 with last year's grand finalists Brisbane out of finals contention and preparing to conduct a post-mortem on a tough season.
The Broncos headed into Saturday night's Battle of Brisbane very much in the finals mix but capitulated 40-6 to the Dolphins, consigning them to a month of 'what ifs' and 'maybes' as opposed to the euphoria of 12 months ago.
The Storm were beaten but far from disgraced in Townsville as they took the opportunity to rest 11 regular starters with the finals just around the corner.
One star who did take the field was fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who picked up some bone bruising to his leg and is set to miss this week's game, giving livewire Sua Faalogo another shot in the No.1 jersey.
SportsBet Betting Preview - Broncos v Storm
Since entering the competition in 1998 the Storm hold a remarkable 41-14 advantage over the Broncos head-to-head with one draw, so a trip to Suncorp Stadium holds no fears for Craig Bellamy's men.
Match: Broncos v Storm
Round 27 -
home Team
Broncos
12th Position
away Team
Storm
1st Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Broncos: With Kotoni Staggs nursing a quad injury, Selwyn Cobbo moves to the centres and veteran Corey Oates comes in on the wing for his first game since Round 22. Fletcher Baker joins the front row with Payne Haas (foot) left out. Brendan Piakura (syndesmosis) is replaced by Jaiyden Hunt, who is back from hand surgery. The one-game ban for Xavier Willison brings Kobe Hetherington in on the bench after he missed Round 26 under the concussion protocols. An hour from kick-off, there are no late changes, with Josiah Karapani the 18th man.
Storm: Star winger Xavier Coates completed training on Wednesday and is a late inclusion an hour from kick-off, with Grant Anderson moving to 18th player. Prop Christian Welch dropped out of the side on Wednesday due to illness so Lazarus Vaalepu joins the bench. Sua Faalogo takes over at fullback from the injured Ryan Papenhuyzen (leg) while Jahrome Hughes, Will Warbrick, Nick Meaney all return after being rested last week. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa and Trent Loiero are all back in the pack, so Tyran Wishart and Alec MacDonald revert to the bench.
Match: Broncos v Storm
Round 27 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tristan SailorFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Selwyn CobboCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Deine MarinerCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse ArtharsWinger for Storm is number 22 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Josh RogersFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey JensenProp for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Fletcher BakerProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jaiyden Hunt2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Blake MozerInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe HetheringtonInterchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Benjamin Te KuraInterchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin TaupauInterchange for Storm is number 20 Lazarus Vaalepu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Josiah KarapaniReplacement for Storm is number 5 Grant Anderson
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have lost six of their past seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Storm have won 15 of their past 16 games against the Broncos.
- The Broncos have conceded 135 points in their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has scored nine tries in 11 games against the Broncos.
- Broncos winger Deine Mariner has scored 11 tries in his last 14 games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
