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Match Preview

Broncos v Eels: Cobbo rested; Arthur, Makatoa added

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Just two points sit between the Broncos and dropping out of the top eight ahead of round 24, and on Thursday night they’ll face a motivated Eels outfit who remain a chance of nabbing a spot in the top four.

Brisbane were embarrassed on home soil by the Storm last week in a 60-12 loss, with the game being just the second time in club history that they’ve leaked 60 points, and another loss this week could see them fall out of the eight if the ninth-placed Raiders win.

There are no such worries for Parramatta though, who took care of the Bulldogs 42-6 last Friday and have star halfback Mitchell Moses back on board.

The sides met just a month ago at CommBank Stadium, with the Broncos running out 36-14 winners, but that was the first time Brisbane had beaten Parra in six games dating back to 2019. 

The Rundown

Team news

Broncos: The Broncos have decided to rest winger Selwyn Cobbo, with his place taken by Jordan Pereira. Lock Ryan James (broken finger) also dropped out on Wednesday, replaced in the starting side by Cory Jensen, while Rhys Kennedy was omitted. Keenan Palasia and Zac Hosking joined the bench. 

Kurt Capewell has been named to play despite hurting his ankle against the Storm. Centre Brenko Lee is back on deck after recovering from a hamstring injury so Delouise Hoeter goes to 18th man. There were no further changes when the teams were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off.

Eels: Marata Niukore will start at lock, with Ryan Matterson shifting to the bench in a late change when the teams were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. Makahesi Makatoa and Jake Arthur have been added to the bench in place of Bryce Cartwright and Ofahiki Ogden. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Te Maire Martin
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
  • Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Brenko Lee
    Centre for Eels is number 4 Tom Opacic
  • Winger for Broncos is number 19 Jordan Pereira
    Winger for Eels is number 5 Waqa Blake
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
    Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
    Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
    2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
    2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i
  • Lock for Broncos is number 16 Corey Jensen
    Lock for Eels is number 17 Marata Niukore

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy Walters
    Interchange for Eels is number 13 Ryan Matterson
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe Hetherington
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Makahesi Makatoa
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 21 Keenan Palasia
    Interchange for Eels is number 15 Jake Arthur
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 22 Zac Hosking
    Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Reserves

  • Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Delouise Hoeter
    Replacement for Eels is number 20 Bryce  Cartwright

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Key match-up

Corey Oates v Maika Sivo: Both have averaged a try per game in 2022 and are enjoying strong seasons on the flank. Oates gave his all in a well beaten side last week, running for a team-high 130 metres and scoring one of Brisbane’s two tries. Since returning to the field in round 14, Sivo has run for over 100 metres in all but two of his 10 games and has seven four pointers in his last five appearances. 

Stat Attack

The two halfbacks on display in this match have set up 41 tries between them this season, with Moses leading the NRL in that category on 22 and Reynolds right behind him on 19. This year 23 percent of the Eels’ tries have involved a final touch from Moses, while Reynolds has set up 22 percent of Brisbane’s tries, showing how important the pair are to their respective sides.

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.