Broncos v Sharks: Shibasaki, Mariner return; Hazelton steps up
The belief still burns for the Broncos and their coach Michael Maguire, but this week's match against the Sharks is a must win if they are any chance of making the top eight.
It has been a difficult season for the defending premiers with a dip in form and plenty of injuries disrupting their squad, however Maguire was adamant post their close loss to the Roosters in Round 17 that his side could still make a late charge.
They will have to start however with a tough challenge against a Cronulla side that are fresh from a bye and no doubt stewing on their 27-8 loss to the Roosters in Round 16.
Both sides will be affected by Origin selection with forwards Briton Nikora (Maroons), Blayke Brailey and Addin Fonua-Blake (Blues) out for the Sharks and Brisbane lock Pat Carrigan and fullback Reece Walsh in camp with the Maroons.
Match: Broncos v Sharks
Round 18 -
home Team
Broncos
14th Position
away Team
Sharks
6th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Broncos: Game day changes see Josh Rogers drop out of the squad, moving Wynnum Manly Seagulls lock Josh Coric onto the interchange bench. Earlier, coach Michael Maguire confirmed on Friday that Xavier Willison received clearance from the NRL to take his place in the side on Saturday. Willison suffered a head knock last week but will line up at lock against the Sharks. "The medical staff worked really hard to work through that and we’re fortunate to have him playing," Maguire told reporters in Brisbane. Deine Mariner is set to play his first game since suffering a gruesome quad injury in Round 9 and will line up on the wing in a new-look backline. The return of Gehamat Shibasaki from a knee injury will see Grant Anderson shift to the wing, while Hayze Perham starts at fullback with Reece Walsh on Origin duties. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update, with Josh Coric remaining as 20th man.
Sharks: The predicted game day swap of Jayden Berrell who was named at hooker and bench utility Hohepa Puru has happened once again, as has been the case in the past when Blayke Brailey was unavailable. Addin Fonua-Blake joins Brailey in the Blues team, with Tom Hazelton replacing the prop in the starting side. Billy Burns will start in the back row with Briton Nikora in the Maroons side. The Sharks also remain 1-20 after Friday's update, Sam Stonestreet and Liam Ison dropping out of the extended squad.
Match: Broncos v Sharks
Round 18 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayze PerhamFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Grant AndersonWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat ShibasakiCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Deine MarinerWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Thomas DuffyFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ben HuntHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Va'a SemuProp for Sharks is number 8 Thomas Hazelton
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Sharks is number 14 Hohepa Puru
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Preston RikiProp for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Xavier WillisonLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Blake MozerInterchange for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Berrell
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben TaltyInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Oregon Kaufusi
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Luke GaleInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa Talakai
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 20 Joshua CoricInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Tuku Hau Tapuha
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 16 Jaiyden HuntReserve for Sharks is number 18 Mawene Hiroti
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 17 Jesse ArtharsReserve for Sharks is number 19 Harrison Hassett
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have won three of their past four games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have won four of their last five games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Broncos have conceded 242 points in seven consecutive losses.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored five tries in five games this season.
- Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs requires one try for 50 tries at Suncorp Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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