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.
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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.
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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.
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