The Stats Zone
March 31 2018, 07:52 · Tom

2018 NRL – Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans Preview

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AT A GLANCE

When? Sunday 01st April, 09:30 (UK)

Where? Suncorp Stadium

What channel is it on? UK - Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans will not be televised live Australia - Foxtel, LIVE PASS

Where can I stream the match? UK - N/A Australia - https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-...

Are tickets still available? http://premier.ticketek.com.au...

THE STATISTICS

THE LOWDOWN

BRONCOS

Head Coach: Wayne Bennett

Starting 13: Boyd, Pearson, Roberts, Bird, Isaako, Milford, Nikorima, Lodge, McCullough, Sims, Glenn, Gillett, McGuire – Interchanges: Thaiday, Ofahengaue, Opacic, Su’A – Reserves: Murphy, Tagataese, Bird, Shibasaki, Mogo

Unavailable: Andre Savelio, Jordan Kahu, Corey Oates, Tevitva Pangai Jnr

  • Brisbane won a controversial game against Wests Tigers last week. With the game tied at 7-7 in golden point, the Broncos were awarded a dubious penalty with young winger Jamayne Isaako holding his nerve to claim a 7-9 victory for his side.
  • The Broncos won the game despite not scoring a try in the game with all nine points being scored by the boot of Isaako. It was the first time Brisbane won an NRL game without scoring a try and the first time it has happened in the NRL since 1993.
  • Brisbane’s win came at a cost last week as they lost both Corey Oates and Tevita Pangai Jnr to injuries. Jonus Pearson and Korbin Sims are their replacements with Jaydn Su’A making the bench.

TITANS

Head Coach: Garth Brennan

Starting 13: Gordon, Don, Copley, Hurrell, Sami, Elgey, Taylor, Wallace, Peats, James, Proctor, Matthews, Aarow – Interchanges: Rein, King, Cartwright, Latu – Reserves: Boyle, Simpkins, Brimson, Roberts-Davis

Unavailable: Jack Stockwell, Kyle Flanagan, Brenko Lee, Brendan Elliott, Keegan Hipgrave

  • Gold Coast were hammered by St George last week as they conceded nine tries in an eight points to 54 drubbing. The Titans were outclassed in all departments and now come up against a tough Broncos outfit.
  • Garth Brennan has shuffled his pack for this week’s game with Bryce Cartwright dropping to the bench with Will Matthews starting in the second row, Ryan James moving up to prop and Jai Arrow starting at 13. Max King comes onto the bench with Keegan Hipgrave banned.
  • Gold Coast were on the wrong end of plenty of stats thanks to the one-sided scoreline last week but the key one was perhaps the 42 missed tackles. The Titans will need to sort their defence out or face another big score against them.

THE PREDICTION

Brisbane’s controversial win over Wests last week has seen a lot of media spotlight with the Broncos keen to move on from that drama as quickly as possible. They can do that when they play host to Gold Coast who come into the game off a huge loss against St George. Wayne Bennett has been criticised for the Broncos’ negative tactics which saw them win the game without scoring a try last week but he stood firm despite his side only posting 45 points so far, the third lowest total in the NRL. However, with Gold Coast’s defence shipping the second most points of any team so far this season (102), the Broncos should be able to find some attacking rhythm at Suncorp.