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
13th Position
away Team
Sharks
8th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Broncos: Mass changes for the premiers with Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas on Origin duty and Aublix Tawha (ankle), Jack Gosiewki (ribs) and Josiah Karapani (club suspension) also missing. Gehamat Shibasaki returns from a knee injury in the centres so Grant Anderson goes to the wing and Jesse Arthars drops to the bench. Hayze Perham is the new fullback and Deine Mariner is back from a thigh injury on the wing while up front it's Vaa Semu in at prop for Haas. Lock Xavier Willison has been named and the Broncos' medical team are liaising with the NRL regarding an exemption which would allow him to return to play inside the 11-day concussion stand-down period. The new men on the six-man bench are Jaiyden Hunt and Burleigh Bears forward Luke Gale who is chasing an NRL debut.
Sharks: The loss of Addin Fonua-Blake and Blayke Brailey to Blues camp brings Tom Hazelton in at prop and Jayden Berrell at hooker. Maroons rep Briton Nikora is replaced in the back row by Billy Burns. The new faces on the bench are Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha and Harrison Hassett.
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
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Thomas DuffyFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ben HuntHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Va'a SemuProp for Sharks is number 8 Thomas Hazelton
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Berrell
-
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
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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
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Blake MozerInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Hohepa Puru
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben TaltyInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Oregon Kaufusi
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Jaiyden HuntInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa Talakai
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jesse ArtharsInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Tuku Hau Tapuha
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Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Josh RogersInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Mawene Hiroti
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Luke GaleInterchange for Sharks is number 19 Harrison Hassett
Reserves
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Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Joshua CoricReserve for Sharks is number 20 Niwhai Puru
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Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Kane BradleyReserve for Sharks is number 21 Samuel Stonestreet
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Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Tupou FrancisReserve for Sharks is number 22 Liam Ison
Broncos Ins
- Deine Mariner
- Gehamat Shibasaki
- Jaiyden Hunt
- Joshua Coric
- Kane Bradley
- Luke Gale
- Tupou Francis
- Va'a Semu
Sharks Ins
- Harrison Hassett
- Jayden Berrell
- Liam Ison
- Niwhai Puru
- Samuel Stonestreet
- Tuku Hau Tapuha
Broncos Outs
- Aublix Tawha
- Jack Gosiewski
- Josiah Karapani
- Payne Haas
- Reece Walsh
Sharks Ins
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Blayke Brailey
- Briton Nikora
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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