NRL 2023, Wests Tigers, Brisbane Broncos, round 5 match preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: Kelsey Hogan NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Sat 1 Apr 2023, 06:36 PM

The winless Wests Tigers head to Brisbane on Saturday night with few people giving them a chance but memories of an upset victory over the Broncos in Round 20 last year will give Tim Sheens' men a flicker of hope.

Reeling at the bottom of the NRL ladder, nobody was tipping the Tigers to defeat the red-hot Broncos in 2022 and few will be backing them this week but there were signs of improvement against the Storm and Sheens will look to build on those.

New recruits John Bateman and Api Koroisau did their best to lift Wests Tigers back from the Storm's early lead on Friday but errors in possession errors and some poor defence consigned them to a fourth straight loss.

The Broncos, meanwhile, are flying high after defeating the Dolphins 18-12 in the inaugural battle of Brisbane on Friday night and will be looking forward to an arguably easier run in the weeks ahead with games against the Wests Tigers, Raiders and Titans.

With Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas and Reece Walsh in rare form the Broncos are well on track for a finals appearance after the disappointment of last year's fadeout.

Haas leads the NRL in post-contact metres with 344 while the electric Walsh sits atop the line break assists tally with seven.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 1 Apr

Full Time

Broncos

Wests Tigers

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Highlights Latest

Team News

Broncos: The Broncos are 1-17 with no game day changes. Coach Kevin Walters has named the same 17 that snuck past the Dolphins in a classic at Suncorp Stadium in Round 4. Kobe Hetherington dropped out of the extended squad on Friday after returning from a pre-season biceps injury via the Hostplus Cup last week.

Wests Tigers: No further changes on game day after Brent Naden dropped out of the squad on Friday night due to an infection. Starford To'a takes his place at centre after originally being named on the bench. Back-rower Shawn Blore is the new addition to the interchange. Adam Doueihi has retained the job at fullback, with Daine Laurie dropping out of the squad for Round 5, while Brandon Wakeham keeps the No.6 jersey.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 1 Apr

Full Time

Broncos

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Adam Doueihi
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Jesse Arthars

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 17 Starford To'a
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Brandon Wakeham
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory Paix

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Keenan Palasia

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Corey Jensen

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Justin Matamua
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin Taupau

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Shawn Blore

Reserves

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Deine Mariner

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Joe Ofahengaue

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Peter Gough
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:53 AM

Stat Attack

The Broncos are aiming for a perfect five from five start to a season for the first time since 1998.
Wests Tigers have won their past four games against the Broncos.
Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored four tries in his past three games.
Tigers fullback Adam Doueihi has scored six tries in his past six games at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos play their fourth consecutive game at Suncorp Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.