NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos v Wests Tigers, round 18 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 18 Jul 2021, 03:21 PM

These two teams lie next to each other near the bottom of the table in 14th (Wests Tigers) and 15th spot (Broncos), so any win at this point is going to be very welcome indeed.

Technically the Wests Tigers on 12 competition points lie just one victory from the top eight. But the reality is that the manner of their losses - they are 148 points in the red - means it's still a long climb over the six clubs ahead of them to get there.

Their last loss does provide a little inspiration for the task ahead. The Wests Tigers came from 26-0 down at half-time against the Rabbitohs to out-score them 22-12 in the second half of their round 16 clash.

The Broncos are still humming the team song, which they sang with vigour for only the fourth time this year after their 26-18 win over top-eight side the Sharks.

And Kevin Walters' men are back at the scene of that triumph - Suncorp Stadium - to meet the Wests Tigers. They've won three from four games there to at least have a respectable home record in a season of disappointment.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Sunday 18 Jul

Full Time

Broncos

Wests Tigers

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Highlights Latest

The rundown

Team news

Broncos: Kevin Walters confirmed on Saturday that Xavier Coates won't back up from his Origin III performance with Jamayne Isaako coming on to the wing. Origin rep Payne Haas, who was magnificent against the Sharks in round 16, will play.

Ethan Bullemor has 18th man duties while Coates dropped out as expected on Sunday.

Jesse Arthars comes on to the interchange for Cory Paix, who is omitted a day out from kick-off alongside Xavier Willison, who must wait for his NRL debut.

Kobe Hetherington has retained the No.13 jersey after getting a late chance to start in round 16.

Kotoni Staggs has scored seven tries in his past eight games at Suncorp Stadium.

Wests Tigers: James Roberts is in COVID isolation and out of the side after being present at an exposure site. He is replaced in the centres by Tommy Talau.

Michael Chee Kam was named 18th man when the final team was announced with Alex Seyfarth the match-day omission.

Back-rower Shawn Blore was cut 24 hours from kick-off.

Moses Mbye is the biggest name to pay the price for a horror three-week stretch which saw the joint-venture club outscored 144 to 50 by the Storm, Eels and Rabbitohs. Adam Doueihi switches back to five-eighth and Fetalaiga Pauga makes his debut in the centres with Mbye on the interchange.

Blues squad member Stefano Utoikamanu has been promoted to start along with Thomas Mikaele, relegating Alex Twal to the bench and Alex Seyfarth to reserves.

Coach Michael Maguire has named a second debutant, Tuki Simpkins, to start on the interchange.

David Nofoaluma requires one try to break his club’s all-time try-scoring record.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Sunday 18 Jul

Full Time

Broncos

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi Niu

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Junior Pauga
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 19 Tommy Talau
Winger for Broncos is number 21 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tyson Gamble

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie Croft

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Rhys Kennedy

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob Liddle
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 James Tamou
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Teui Robati

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Thomas Flegler

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Keenan Palasia

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jordan Riki

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Tukimihia Simpkins
Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Jesse Arthars

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Moses Mbye

Reserves

Reserve for Broncos is number 18 Ethan Bullemor

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Michael Chee Kam

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Darian Furner
Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:40:56 AM

Key match-up

Tyson Gamble v Adam Doueihi: The feisty Broncos pivot is a former Wests Tiger, playing one game in 2018, while former Tigers junior Doueihi was at the Rabbitohs. Gamble's refusal to take a backward step will be important as Doueihi boasts a powerful running game. The Lebanon international did well when moved to the halves by Michael Maguire earlier in the season and will be keen to replicate that form.