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.
Match: Broncos v Panthers
Round 1 -
home Team
Broncos
15th Position
away Team
Panthers
3rd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
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.
Match: Broncos v Panthers
Round 1 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah KarapaniWinger for Panthers is number 2 Paul Alamoti
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat ShibasakiCentre for Panthers is number 18 Thomas Jenkins
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Deine MarinerWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 14 Ben HuntFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey JensenProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jack Gosiewski2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Luke Garner
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Panthers is number 16 Isaiah Papali'i
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamInterchange for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Xavier WillisonInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack Cogger
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ben TaltyInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Kalani Going
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Aublix TawhaInterchange for Panthers is number 20 Billy Phillips
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 18 Grant AndersonReserve for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Jaiyden HuntReserve for Panthers is number 19 Freddy Lussick
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
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.
