AT A GLANCE
When? Thursday 24th May, 10:50 (UK)
Where? Suncorp Stadium
What channel is it on? UK - Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels will not be televised live in the UK
Australia - Nine Network, Foxtel, LIVE PASS
Where can I stream the match? UK - N/A
Australia - https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Are tickets still available? http://premier.ticketek.com.au...
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
BRONCOS
Head Coach: Wayne Bennett
Starting 13: Boyd, Oates, Roberts, Kahu, Isaako, Milford, Nikorima, Lodge, McCullough, Thaiday, Pangai Jnr, Su’A, Ofahengaue – Interchanges: Tagataese, Fai, Staggs, Mago – Reserves: Opacic, Fifita
Unavailable: Andre Savelio, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire, Alex Glenn, Jack Bird, Payne Haas, Korbin Sims
- Brisbane came out on top of a thriller against Sydney Roosters last week. James Roberts’ superb try levelled the scores with seven minutes left before some magic from Jamayne Isaako to go over after evading several defenders sealed the see-saw contest 28-22.
- Korbin Sims is sidelined with the broken jaw he suffered in a tackle by Dylan Napa last week with his place on the bench taken by George Fai. Jordan Kahu returns to the side after recovering from his own broken jaw with Tom Opacic dropping to the reserves.
- In a tight game, the Broncos’ superior completion rate helped to get them home. They completed 31 of their 38 sets (82%) with the Roosters managing to complete just 30 from their 41 (71%).
EELS
Head Coach: Brad Arthur
Starting 13: Norman, French, M. Jennings, Takairangi, G. Jennings, Gutherson, Moses, Alvaro, King, Vave, Ma’u, Moeroa, Terepo – Interchanges: Smith, Matagi, Gower, Niukore – Reserves: Evans, Hoffman
Unavailable: Nathan Brown, Jarryd Hayne, Tony Williams, Kaysa Pritchard, Tim Mannah, Kenny Edwards, Beau Scott
- Parramatta’s hopes of playing finals football was all but ended as they went down to an under-strength New Zealand Warriors side last week. Despite missing several key players, the Warriors had too much for the bottom-placed Eels as they went down 14-24.
- Beau Scott suffered a season-ending ACL last week that could also end the back-rower’s career. Manu Ma’u reverts to the second row with Peni Terepo at lock and Siosaia Vave at prop. Clint Gutherson and Corey Norman have also switched positions with Gutherson lining up at five-eighth and Norman moving to fullback.
- The Eels enjoyed over five minutes more in possession than the Warriors last week but failed to complete 12 of their 40 sets for a completion rate of 70%. That contributed to their downfall in a similar vein to the rest of their season.
THE PREDICTION
Brisbane produced a gutsy display to defeat Sydney Roosters last week and will now host Parramatta with the Eels rooted to the bottom of the NRL ladder. They were unable to beat the Warriors last week with them now seemingly destined to miss out on the play-offs. The Broncos on the other hand look well set to maintain their challenge to break into the top 8 with them sitting outside of it on points difference. They should be able to win this against the error-riddled Eels and improve their points difference too with them currently sitting on -40.
