Friday’s only NRL Round 18 match is between Brisbane Broncos and Cronulla Sharks with the opening kick to commence at 7:45pm local time. The game is to be played at Suncorp Stadium which see’s away team Cronulla Sharks hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Brisbane Broncos and Cronulla Sharks.
WHERE AND WHEN: Suncorp Stadium, Friday 12th July, 7:45pm
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Opening odds comparison:
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| Brisbane Broncos | 2.35 | 2.40 | 2.32 | 2.35 | 2.35 | 2.35 |
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Cronulla Sharks
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1.60 | 1.60 | 1.63 | 1.60 | 1.60 | 1.60 |
Preview:
With the third State of Origin game taking place next week, there’s only four regular NRL games happening this weekend. The first match is between the Brisbane
Broncos and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, kicking off on Friday night at 7.45pm at Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos have everything to play for this weekend, with their season pretty much over if they lose to the Sharks. Coach Anthony Griffin is in the hot seat after an average 2013 at best, and with the home ground advantage on their side, the locals will be expecting a win here despite the loss of their Origin heroes. The Sharks are also without some key Origin talent, however, and also have to suffer the loss of injured players Ben Hannant and Jack Reed. While the Sharks will be slight favourites, anything is possible at a Suncorp Stadium still glowing from the last Origin game.
Teams:
Brisbane Broncos:
Corey Norman, Jordan Kahu, Corey Oates, Josh Hoffman, Lachlan Maranta, Scott Prince, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Alex Glenn (c), David Stagg, Mitchell Dodds. Interchange: Ben Hunt, David Hala, Dunamis Lui, Lama Tasi, Jarrod Wallace, Nick Slyney, Scott Anderson
Cronulla Sharks:
Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Stewart Mills, Jonathan Wright, Nathan Stapleton, Todd Carney, Jeff Robson, Bryce Gibbs, John Morris, Sam Tagataese, Jayson Bukuya, Wade Graham (c), Chris Heighington. Interchange: Isaac De Gois, Tyrone Peachey, Mark Taufua, Ben Ross, Ben Pomeroy
Baby Broncos must come of age: Griffin
Last round’s 32-0 humbling at the hands of Melbourne still irks the Broncos.
But it is another result that haunts Brisbane as they look to make amends without their State of Origin contingent against the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The job of lifting without their four Queensland stars including captain Sam Thaiday was made that much harder for Brisbane on Thursday when ex-Test prop Ben Hannant (calf) remained on the injury list with centre Jack Reed.
However, Broncos coach Anthony Griffin said his side did not lack motivation before lining up against top four outfit Cronulla – and it had nothing to do with being held scoreless against the Storm.
The last time a Brisbane side without its Origin contingent ran out this season they suffered a record 56-18 loss to the New Zealand Warriors – their biggest loss at Suncorp Stadium.
Griffin said it was time the Baby Broncos grew up.
“That night was very disappointing,” he said of the 10 tries to three loss on June 3.
“That’s obviously something none of us are happy with.
“It’s important that we go out and do a better job than that tomorrow night.”
Another spur will be putting on a display worthy of the former greats they will mingle with at the club’s 25th anniversary gala ball on Saturday evening.
“We might be down on troops but everyone is excited about putting in a good performance for the club,” Griffin said.
The Broncos (13th; 6-10) became the first team in Brisbane’s history to be held scoreless twice in a season when they crashed in Melbourne.
It also marked their fifth loss in six games in a huge blow to their finals hopes.
Yet Griffin believed there were encouraging signs as they faced the tough ask of winning six of their last eight games to scrape into the playoffs.
“Last week we were just a little bit eager to get points on the board,” he said.
“The positive was the opportunities we created – we just didn’t have the composure at the back end of them.”
Griffin admitted Hannant was close to finally overcoming his troublesome calf but would not risk him despite being without their Origin troops.
“It’s not easy but it is something we have to go through,” said Griffin, who green-lighted the Broncos debut of ex-Sydney Roosters prop Lama Tasi.
“The injuries to guys like Jack Reed hurt you a little bit more this time of year because of the other guys who are out.”