2020 NRL – Brisbane Broncos vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Brisbane Broncos vs St. George Illawarra Dragons taking place? Friday 21st August, 2020 – 10:55 (UK)
Where is Brisbane Broncos vs St. George Illawarra Dragons taking place? Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
What is the expected weather for Brisbane Broncos vs St. George Illawarra Dragons? 16c, clear skies
What channel is Brisbane Broncos vs St. George Illawarra Dragons on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Brisbane Broncos vs St. George Illawarra Dragons? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Brisbane Broncos vs St. George Illawarra Dragons? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Starting 13: Boyd, Kennar, Staggs, Kahu, Farnworth, Milford, Dearden, Ofahengaue, Luke, Kennedy, Fifita, Te’o, Carrigan – Interchanges: Paix, Riki, Bullemor, Hopoate – Reserves: Petterson-Robati, Arthars
Unavailable: Jack Bird (Injured), Keenan Palasia (Injured), Alex Glenn (Injured), Corey Oates (Injured), Tesi Niu (Injured), Tevita Pangai Jnr. (Quarantined), Matt Lodge (Injured), Xavier Coates (Injured), Thomas Flegler (Injured), Payne Haas (Suspended), Jake Turpin (Injured)
- Brisbane Broncos showed their ugly side once again as they collapsed in the second half against Canberra Raiders last week as they were unable to hang on to a slender half-time lead and failed to score a single point in the process.
- The Broncos led 6-8 after a strong showing in the first half but then meekly surrendered 36-8 to make it five defeats in a row and leave them with just one win from their last 12 matches as the wooden spoon remains a real possibility.
- Jake Turpin and Thomas Flegler both joined Brisbane’s extensive injury list last week while Payne Haas copped a ban so will also be sidelined but Anthony Milford returns in the halves while Jordan Kahu will make his first appearance since re-joining the club.
ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Starting 13: Dufty, Pereira, Aitken, Lomax, Ravalawa, Norman, Clune, Lawrie, Hunt, Kerr, Frizell, Host, McInnes – Interchanges: Ellis, K. Sims, Vaughan, Merrin – Reserves: Sailor, Wiliame
Unavailable: Jack de Belin (Disciplinary), Tariq Sims (Injured), Jackson Ford (Suspended), Billy Brittain (Injured), Tyrell Fuimaono (Suspended)
- St. George Illawarra Dragons gave departing head coach Paul McGregor the perfect leaving present as they produced a solid showing to shock Parramatta Eels last week and Dean Young will hope his first game in temporary charge goes as well.
- In tricky conditions because of the rain, the Dragons looked more dangerous with the ball as they made double the number of line breaks with four and almost produced twice as many tackles breaks too as they made 30 compared to Parramatta’s 16.
- The Dragons receive a huge boost this week with Origin prop Paul Vaughan coming back into the 17 following his period in quarantine but Tyrell Fuimaono will be missing after he handed a suspension.
THE PREDICTION
Brisbane Broncos produced another woeful second half display as they capitulated against Canberra Raiders once again and they now look very light in the front row for this clash with St. George Illawarra Dragons. Payne Haas and Thomas Flegler will both be absent and with Paul Vaughan back for the Dragons, it is the away side that will believe they have the advantage through the middle. The Broncos have struggled against physical teams this season having made fewer metres than any other side and if the Dragons get a roll on, this could be yet another messy encounter for the Broncos with St. George able to win this one by at least 10 points.
