Friday has two NRL matches with the second game for Round 6 is between Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos with the opening kick to commence at 7.40pm. The game is to be played at Cbus Super Stadium with the favourite for the match being Brisbane Broncos. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos.

WHERE AND WHEN: Cbus Super Stadium , Fri 11 Apr, 7.40pm (local)

Preview:

A tenacious victory over the Storm in Melbourne last week, as earned the Gold Coast Titans top spot on the ladder with four wins from their five games.

In a tight game where the biggest break either side could muster was eight points, the Titans and Storm were locked together for the last ten minutes until Greg Bird, right on the siren, landed a penalty goal that snatched victory. A win made even more commendable by the fact that Aidan Sezer, the regular five-eighth for the Titans, withdrawn just prior to the match with a quad strain.

It was the third win of their season by a margin of less than six points and winning the tight contests will create plenty of believe within the camp.

Surprisingly, the only time this year the Titans have started favourites in a game, they were walloped by the Tigers 42 – 12.

This week will be a real litmus test for the Titans who face the Broncos, a team they’ve only been able to beat once in eight games since 2010.

The Broncos were beaten last week by a rejuvenated Parramatta Eels, 25 – 18.

It was the first time this year the Broncos have failed to open the scoring within the first ten minutes of a match and too many handling errors in the first 40 minutes meant, their first try come right on the break through Dale Copley, his third for the season, and trailed 10 – 6

That gave the Broncos momentum when play returned and they scored again through Ben Hunt, taking the lead for the first time in the match however, they could never finish off a Parramatta side who kept the Broncos defence guessing with attacking football.

It was a game there for the taking for the Broncos, as was home-ground match and only other loss of the season in round 3 against the Roosters.

They bounced right back against the Dragons after the Roosters and would expect them to do the same again this week.

Brisbane won both games comfortably between the two sides last year and in their last four victories over the Titans have been by margins of 20 points or more.

Adam Sezer returns for the Titans which is a plus but the hit-out for Justin Hodges, who has been named in this starting line-up this week, will serve him well and be a big plus for the Broncos who should win this one and cover the line.

Teams:

Gold Coast Titans:
David Mead, Kevin Gordon, Maurice Blair, Brad Takairangi, Anthony Don, Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly, Luke Douglas, Beau Falloon, Nate Myles (c), Greg Bird (c), David Taylor, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Luke Bailey, Mark Minichiello, Paul Carter

Brisbane Broncos:
Ben Barba, Daniel Vidot, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Dale Copley, Josh Hoffman, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Corey Parker, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett. Interchange: Martin Kennedy, Todd Lowrie, Ben Hannant, Corey Oates, Jarrod Wallace

News:

A Kangaroos jersey is in Matt Gillett’s reach as the Brisbane Broncos lock confronts Gold Coast’s star-studded back-row in Friday night’s NRL local derby.

The unlikely top-of-the-table clash has grown in importance for Gillett after Test coach Tim Sheens revealed he was a serious contender to play New Zealand in the May 2 Anzac Test.

With the injured Paul Gallen in doubt and Luke Lewis all but ruled out, Sheens is putting the Maroons utility under the microscope for a potential Test debut.

“I think how the Broncos have gone with their early-season form, Gillett has been very good,” he said on Thursday.

“Young Gillett was very unlucky not to go (to last year’s World Cup. So he’s really started this season on fire, so I think there’s going to be a lot of selection headaches for me.”

While he missed the 24-man World Cup squad, Gillett has suited up for the Kangaroos after being picked as a non-playing 18th man in 2012.

His chances of taking the last step would undoubtedly be boosted with an impressive showing against the Titans, who boast a quality representative back-row and big, experienced forward pack.

Test incumbent Greg Bird, a rejuvenated Dave Taylor and former Maroon Ashley Harrison will start while Queensland second-rower Nate Myles will also feature.

Bird is braced for an intriguing contest with Gillett and Sam Thaiday down his left side of the field, while also commending the Broncos for shifting Corey Parker into the front-row.

“Young Gillett has been real strong and I like the way they have restructured their forward pack and got all their threat on the field at the one time,” Bird said.

Sheens isn’t short of options heading into the Anzac Test, also backing Parker and Anthony Watmough as enduring contenders.

Titans coach John Cartwright predicted the in-form Bird would make life tough for the Broncos who are still smarting from their 25-18 upset loss to Parramatta.

“The bigger the game the bigger the occasion, the better Birdy goes for us,” Cartwright said.

The ladder-leaders only have a five-day turnaround following their 28-26 upset of Melbourne.

But the Titans have been boosted by the return of five-eighth Aidan Sezer, while centre Maurice Blair has replaced Brad Tighe (shoulder).