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The high-flying Brisbane Broncos will host an improved Roosters side who need to win to stay in a hunt for the finals when the sides meet at the Gabba on Thursday night.

The Broncos continued their winning ways last weekend in a strong showing against the Rabbitohs, but were hit hard by the judiciary with both winger Jesse Arthars and forward Martin Taupau to miss this week's match with suspension.

The Roosters found form in their dominant win against the Titans, with their attack firing in the first half to post a 30-0 halftime lead before running out 36-18 winners.

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Team news

Broncos: With Brendan Piakura withdrawing from the squad on Wednesday after failing to overcome a virus, Queensland Origin lock Pat Carrigan shifts to the right edge and Keenan Palasia comes in to start at lock. Xavier Willison is the new addition to the bench. Deine Mariner comes onto the wing for the suspended Jesse Arthars while Martin Taupau (suspension) is also out. There were no further late changes. 

Roosters: Victor Radley returns after missing Round 21 with hamstring tightness and will start at lock. The squad will take the field as named mid-week, with Brandon Smith starting at hooker and Jake Turpin moving back to the bench.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Broncos is number 2 Deine Mariner
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
    Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
  • Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
    Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
  • Lock for Broncos is number 17 Keenan Palasia
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson Smoothy
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Jake Turpin
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey Jensen
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Nathan Brown
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Kobe Hetherington
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Xavier Willison
    Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher Baker

Reserves

  • Replacement for Broncos is number 19 Jock Madden
    Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Corey Allan

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Roosters winger Daniel Tupou needs one try to break the all-time record for most tries for the foundation club. He currently shares the mark with former captain Anthony Minichiello with 139 tries.
  • Only eight Broncos players have achieved an NRL victory against the Roosters.
  • The Roosters have won five of their past six games against the Broncos.
  • Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds has scored 32 points in his past two games.
  • Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored six tries in his past five games.

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

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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