Friday’s NRL 2018 Round 19 match is between Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:55 local time with the game to be played at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. The home team Brisbane Broncos are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers.
When: 19:55 | Friday 20/07/2018
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Preview:
The Broncos last week were very poor and considering they were playing at home on a Sunday afternoon, they quite frankly didn’t aim up.
Take nothing away from a determined Warriors team, they were outplayed and out-enthused.
This game now becomes a massive challenge in the context of staying in touch with the top six teams.
They’ll need to be a lot better because the Panthers welcome back their Origin players and although they were beaten last week, I thought their younger brigade were great led by big Viliame Kikau and co.
KEY BATTLE: Viliame Kikau v Tevita Pangai Jr
Kikau’s involvement this year has been something else and if the Broncos welcome back Tevita Pangai Jr, that matchup of size and power will be worth the admission ticket alone.
Other great matchups include Anthony Milford v Nathan Cleary and Josh McGuire v Trent Merrin.
The Verdict
Plenty to play for and a lot at stake for these two sides.
Looking to be a thriller.
Brisbane very rarely ever lose two straight games at home and I know it going to be an Origin like affair.
I like the Broncos, who have a 75-39 (65.8 percent) record at Suncorp Stadium since 2010, to return to the winner’s list.
Unibet Odds:
Brisbane Broncos at $1.87
Penrith Panthers at $1.95
Odds:
Tip: Brisbane Broncos at $1.92
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Corey Oates at $9.00
More Info:
Teams:
Brisbane Broncos:
1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Tevita Pangai, 13 Josh McGuire
Interchange: 14 Kotoni Staggs, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Patrick Mago
Reserves: 18 Gehamat Shibasaki, 19 David Fifita, 20 Sam Tagataese, 21 Troy Dargan.
Penrith Panthers: 
1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Christian Crichton, 6 James Maloney (c), 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 James Tamou, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 James Fisher-Harris
Interchange: 14 Tyrone Peachey, 15 Corey Harawira-Naera, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 Moses Leota
Reserves: 18 Jarome Luai, 19 Tyrone May, 20 Kaide Ellis, 21 Wayde Egan.
NRL News:
NSW Origin centre James Roberts and emerging forward Tevita Pangai will miss Brisbane’s crunch NRL clash with the Warriors.
Coach Wayne Bennett said Roberts’ omission was always on the cards as he manages persistent achilles soreness but that Pangai’s (hamstring) injury only reared its head at Saturday’s captain’s run.
Patrick Mago has been added to the bench for Sunday’s encounter while teenager David Fifita will start and backrower Jaydn Su’A will shift to the centres.
Bennett said his men would take the double blow in their stride given the disruptions they have already dealt with this season.
“It doesn’t really phase us; we’ve been through a season with a lot of players missing and people putting their hand up getting the job done,” he said.
“We’ve got a strong squad here at the moment.”
The Broncos sit in seventh, equal on points with the Warriors but ahead on points differential.
It effectively making the Suncorp Stadium clash a double points fixture in pursuit of a top four spot.
Stephen Kearney’s side have fallen away after a fast start, losing 36-4 to Penrith last weekend to slip behind the Broncos on the ladder.
“They’re a good quality team, started the season great, having a tough time at the moment but they’ll want to come here and turn it all around,” Bennett said.
Brisbane have won their past three with Sunday’s 34-0 defeat of the Titans their first victory of nine points or more all season.
A top four finish is on the wish list, with games against Penrith (fourth), Cronulla (fifth) and Canterbury (15th) to follow.
“Yeah we’re in a good position, played a lot of good football at different parts of the year,” Bennett said.
“But we’ve got a tough month in front of us.”
