Tonight’s NRL match is between Brisbane Broncos and Manly Sea Eagles with the match being played at Suncorp Stadium with the kick off time scheduled for 8:05pm local time. Brisbane Broncos are the overwhelming favourites for the match at home. View our preview, information and teams list for the match.
Match Officials: Referees – Shayne Hayne & Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials – Russell Turner & Chris Butler; Video Referees – Paul Mellor & Neil Wharton.
Televised: Channel 9 – Live 7pm (Qld), 7.30pm (NSW); Fox Sports 1 – Delayed 10pm.
Preview:
Twelve months after farewelling long-serving superstar five-eighth Darren Lockyer the Broncos have placed their faith in another proven veteran to ignite their premiership push in 2013.
Already Scott Prince’s arrival at Red Hill has shaken up the Brisbane roster, with the former Titan securing the No.6 jersey outside of scrum-base partner Peter Wallace.
However, the pair will need to be cohesive and creative from kick-off on Friday night if the Broncos are to shake off the funk that has accompanied their recent clashes with Manly at Suncorp Stadium – they’ve won just one of the past six encounters at headquarters.
In Daly Cherry-Evans and a fully fit and rejuvenated Kieran Foran, the Sea Eagles boast arguably the strongest halves pairing in the Telstra Premiership. After struggling to post points in 2012 despite pounding out good field position, the fingers are crossed that Prince can provide a sack of flair to match the Sea Eagles’ talented duo.
Prince’s signing, a season-ending injury to winger Dale Copley and ongoing uncertainty about a comeback date for Test flanker Jharal Yow Yeh has forced coach Anthony Griffin to roll the dice and shift penetrative fullback Josh Hoffman to the wing, with Corey Norman the new custodian.
And with the front row cupboard lightly stocked, Griffin has yanked captain Sam Thaiday out of the back row to bind the scrum alongside Josh McGuire: how many minutes the skipper plays remains to be seen.
In the back row, Matt Gillett starts alongside Alex Glenn with Corey Parker at lock. Their bench comprises Ben Hunt, Ben Hannant, Mitchell Dodds and the returning David Stagg.
With Glenn Stewart sidelined until round seven, Manly coach Geoff Toovey has installed Jamie Buhrer at lock, with ex-Eel Justin Horo to start in the second row alongside Anthony Watmough – ‘Choc’ will take the field despite being hindered by a rib complaint. Former Titan Brenton Lawrence partners Brent Kite in the front row, with the extended bench comprising Richie Fa’aoso, Joe Galuvao, David Gower, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Peter Hiku and big George Rose.
While trial form isn’t a great barometer to the real thing, Brisbane fans will be concerned their side lost all three pre-season matches: they fell to the Cowboys 28-24 in Mt Isa a month ago (having led 20-6 at halftime); lost 16-14 to the Titans (conceding all points in the first half); then were defeated 16-10 by the Warriors.
Likewise Manly enter the season proper without a win, defeated 24-12 by the Sharks and 20-4 by the Sydney Roosters.
Teams:
BRISBANE BROBCOS:
Corey Norman, Josh Hoffman, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Lachlan Maranta, Scott Prince, Peter Wallace, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday (c), Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker Interchange: Ben Hunt, Ben Hannant, Mitchell Dodds, David Stagg, Scott Anderson (one to be omitted)
MAINLY SEA EAGLES:
Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Brenton Lawrence, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Justin Horo, Jamie Buhrer
Interchange: Richie Fa’aoso, Joe Galuvao, David Gower, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Peta Hiku, George Rose (two to be omitted)
