Suncorp Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 2 NRL game between Brisbane Broncos and South Sydney Rabbitohs. The game kicks off at 8:00 pm with Brisbane Broncos heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Brisbane Broncos vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday March 14, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Where: Suncorp Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Odds
Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview
The two Las Vegas losers look to regroup in Round 2 in a colossal Suncorp Stadium clash.
Brisbane Broncos played their part in a season-opening classic against Sydney Roosters but were ultimately outmuscled 20-10, with only a couple of flashes of Reece Walsh brilliance capable of breaching the defence.
Brendan Piakura’s early HIA forced Patrick Carrigan to an edge, disrupting the 2023 grand finalists’ usual dominance through the middle.
Ex-Rabbitohs great Adam Reynolds and Piakura have been named in an unchanged Broncos 17 despite picking up injuries in Vegas.
South Sydney was given more food for thought following the US jaunt, overrun 36-24 by Manly after surging to a 20-12 lead early in the second half.
A glut of errors and poor goal-line resistance consigned Jason Demtriou’s side to 28-plus points conceded for the ninth time in 14 NRL outings.
Latrell Mitchell was influential, but his contribution was stymied by an erratic display from an under-strength three-quarter line and a lack of authority from halves Lachlan Ilias and Cody Walker.
Souths have been hit with another injury blow, Jai Arrow facing a stint on the sidelines.
Tallis Duncan comes into the pack as his replacement, while Shaq Mitchell joins the bench for Jacob Host.
Honours were shared between the clubs in 2023, Souths asserting their premiership credentials with an authoritative 32-6 win at Suncorp Stadium in Round 9 before their season imploded.
The Broncos then carved out a 36-20 victory over the flailing Rabbitohs on the Sunshine Coast in Round 21.
The Broncos are still adjusting to several changes to their grand final squad, but their attacking threats across the park remain – and the Rabbitohs will find themselves in considerable trouble if they can’t rectify a leaky defence that has plagued them since midway through 2023.
Eight of the Broncos’ 11 wins in Brisbane last year came by 12-plus points and the favourable backline match-ups on Thursday bode well for a comfortable bounce-back W.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Brisbane Broncos to win at $1.38 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Jesse Arthars at $9.50.
Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Teams
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 18. Corey Oates 19. Xavier Willison 20. Tristan Sailor 21. Jock Madden 22. Jaiyden Hunt
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Davvy Moale 16. Shaquai Mitchell 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Taane Milne 20. Jye Gray 21. Peter Mamouzelos 22. Dean Hawkins