Broncos v Dolphins: Reynolds returns; Flegler good to go
The battle for south-east Queensland bragging rights is set up perfectly with the Broncos and Dolphins arriving in winning form and primed to make a statement at a packed Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos took the honours in both meetings last year as they surged towards a drought-breaking premiership but the Dolphins are a very different proposition with Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert back in business.
Once the forwards have slugged it out in the middle the ball will find its way to a flotilla of flashy finishers including Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and Ezra Mam on one side and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo on the other.
A high-scoring shootout is certainly on the cards as last year's most potent team the Dolphins look to outrun and outgun the defending premiers who put the steel back in their defence in the second half at AAMI Park.
Match: Broncos v Dolphins
Round 4 -
home Team
Broncos
13th Position
away Team
Dolphins
6th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Broncos: Skipper Adam Reynolds is back on deck after missing the Storm game with a rib injury but Payne Haas is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Reynolds' return sees Ben Hunt slide back to the No.14 role while Xavier Willison starts at prop in place of Haas. Cook Islands international Brendan Piakura joins the starting side after playing 44 minutes off the bench last week. Gehamat Shibasaki has again been named on the interchange and will be hoping for some game time after missing out last week when Michael Maguire used only 15 players against the Storm.
Dolphins: Tom Flegler has been named on the bench in his return from a rib injury with the starting side remaining unchanged from last week. Francis Molo is part of the six-man interchange as he returns from suspension.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah KarapaniWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Deine MarinerCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Grant AndersonWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey JensenProp for Dolphins is number 8 Tom Gilbert
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max Plath
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Xavier WillisonProp for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan Knowles
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Ben HuntInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Bradley Schneider
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben TaltyInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Thomas Flegler
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Aublix TawhaInterchange for Dolphins is number 16 Oryn Keeley
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Gehamat ShibasakiInterchange for Dolphins is number 17 Ray Stone
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Jaiyden HuntInterchange for Dolphins is number 18 Trai Fuller
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Blake MozerInterchange for Dolphins is number 19 Francis Molo
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Jesse ArtharsReserve for Dolphins is number 20 Lewis Symonds
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Thomas DuffyReserve for Dolphins is number 21 Tevita Naufahu
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Va'a SemuReserve for Dolphins is number 22 Brian Pouniu
Broncos Ins
- Adam Reynolds
- Jesse Arthars
- Thomas Duffy
- Va'a Semu
Dolphins Ins
- Francis Molo
- Lewis Symonds
- Tevita Naufahu
- Thomas Flegler
Broncos Outs
- Payne Haas
Dolphins Ins
- Sebastian Su'a
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have won four of their five games against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
- Dolphins centre Jake Averillo has scored six tries in his last four NRL games.
- Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored seven tries in his last six games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 20 tries in his last 14 games at Suncorp.
- Broncos prop Corey Jensen will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
