Broncos v Cowboys: Staggs held back; Nanai recalled

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 21 Mar 2025, 07:02 PM

One of the great modern-day rivalries resumes at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night with the Broncos and Cowboys both on the rebound from Round 2 defeats.

Dating back to the epic 2015 grand final, these two proud Queensland clubs have turned on a host of memorable clashes, although in recent times the Broncos have well and truly had the edge.

The Cowboys have conceded 138 points in their past four games against the Broncos and based on their defensive efforts so far in 2025 they could be in for another tough night at the office against Michael Maguire's men.

Defence is sure to be a focus for the Broncos as well after they conceded 32 points to the Raiders, and which ever team can muscle up in the middle and control the ruck will go a long way to winning the game.

With Jason Taumalolo good to go after returning from a Lisfranc injury via Queensland Cup, the Cowboys' forward stocks will be strengthened as they look to get on the board with a first win for the season.

Round 3 - Friday 21st March

Full Time

Broncos

Cowboys

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Highlights Latest

Team News

Broncos: No late changes an hour before kick-off. Michael Maguire has named the same 17 as the one that went down to the Raiders last weekend, with star centre Kotoni Staggs to be given one more week before he returns from a hip flexor injury in Round 4. "I was very close to playing him, it was touch and go, but I feel it's the right thing to do for Kotoni to allow him to have a bit more time," Maguire said on Thursday. Halfback Adam Reynolds requires 11 points to climb into third on the NRL's all-time point scorers list. Tyson Smoothy is 18th man.

Cowboys: The Cowboys are 1-17 with no late changes. A big boost for the winless Cowboys with Jason Taumalolo returning at prop from a Lisfranc injury. Maroons back-rower Jeremiah Nanai is also back after being banished to Queensland Cup last week. Experienced playmaker Jake Clifford is back in the No.7 jersey for his first game of 2025 following a disrupted pre-season due to hernia surgery with youngster Thomas Duffy dropping out. Braidon Burns' absence with a hamstring injury brings Robert Derby in on the wing for his first taste of NRL since mid-2023. Sam McIntyre will come from the bench after starting last week. Karl Lawton is 18th man.

Round 3 - Friday 21st March

Full Time

Broncos

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Selwyn Cobbo

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert Derby
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Deine Mariner

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ben Hunt

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Patrick Carrigan

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jack Gosiewski

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kai O'Donnell
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy Walters

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey Jensen

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jeremiah Nanai
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Xavier Willison

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Brendan Piakura

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess

Reserves

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Tyson Smoothy

Replacement for Cowboys is number 21 Karl Lawton

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 11:48 pm Monday 24th March 2025

Stat Attack

The Broncos have won their past four games against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have won four of their past five games at Suncorp Stadium.
Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds requires 11 points to move to third on the all-time NRL pointscorers list.
The Cowboys have conceded 78 points in their opening two games.
Broncos winger Jesse Arthars has scored five tries in his past three games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.