Broncos v Panthers: Hunt set to start; Garner steps up
Having made the arduous trek to the UK for the World Club Challenge the Broncos will be delighted to be back on home turf for a blockbuster season opener against Penrith.
The trip to face Hull KR ultimately proved fruitless but the Broncos took plenty of learnings out of the game and had a chance to fine tune combinations in a pressure cooker atmosphere.
The premiers open their title defence against the team they dethroned in an epic preliminary final at this ground last September, ending the Panthers' four-year title reign.
With superstars across the park and a full house guaranteed at Suncorp Stadium this promises to be a spectacular showdown between two of the NRL's powerhouse clubs.
Team News
Broncos: The Broncos launch their premiership defence with a powerful squad missing only three men who were part of the grand final win - injured back-rower Brendan Piakura and departed duo Kobe Hetherington and Tyson Smoothy. Ben Hunt will start at five-eighth with Ezra Mam moving to the bench in a late change. Cory Paix starts the match at hooker with Adam Reynolds at halfback and Reece Walsh at fullback. Jack Gosiewski and Jordan Riki start in the backrow.
Panthers: Thomas Jenkins and Isaiah Papali'i have come into the starting side, with centre Izack Tago and secondrower Scott Sorensen moving to the bench. Representative star Liam Martin has succumbed to a calf injury suffered in the pre-season and will miss Friday night's preliminary final rematch. Luke Garner comes into the starting side in the only change to the team that fell to Brisbane last September. Star halfback Nathan Cleary is free to take his place in the No.7 jumper after successfully fighting a high-tackle charge at the judiciary last week.Recruits Jack Cogger, Kalani Going and Freddy Lussick are part of the six-man interchange named by Ivan Cleary.
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have won seven of their last eight games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Panthers winger Paul Alamoti has scored eight tries in his last five NRL games.
- Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored five tries in his last four games at Suncorp.
- Panthers centre Izack Tago will reach the milestone of 100 NRL games.
- The Broncos are aiming for their seventh consecutive NRL victory.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
