The first of Friday night’s NRL Round 23 matches is between Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels. The opening kick is set to commence at 7:35PM local time with the game to be played at Suncorp Stadium. The home team the Brisbane Broncos are the current favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels.
Suncorp Stadium
Friday, 7.30pm
Featured Bookmakers:
Brisbane Broncos $1.35 vs Parramatta Eels $3.20 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match
Brisbane Broncos $1.30 vs Parramatta Eels $3.65 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:
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| Brisbane Broncos | 1.18 | 1.18 | 1.15 | 1.18 | 1.18 | 1.18 |
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Parramatta Eels
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4.85 | 4.85 | 5.75 | 4.85 | 4.85 | 4.90 |
Preview:
Brisbane has responded to the pressure of keeping their season alive well in the past month and have produced tough efforts.
They accounted for the Cowboys (in Townsville) drew against Newcastle (in Newcastle) and last week, a tough win (26 – 24) over St. George at their first home game in three weeks.
These results see Brisbane sit in eleventh spot, three points away from eighth placed Titans, and Raiders and one point behind the Warriors.
With Canberra facing off this week against Canterbury and the Gold Coast travelling to Townsville to take on an-inform Cowboys outfit, Brisbane could put themselves right in the middle of the traffic jam for the last finals spot with a win over Parramatta.
Parramatta broke a ten game losing streak when they outlasted the equally struggling Tigers last week 26 – 22.
It was only Parramatta’s fourth win of the season and their first since defeating Brisbane back in nine this year (19 – 18).
That was the second win over Brisbane in a row for the Eels and their third from six games since 2010 however, given the combination of the facts that the Broncos need to win, are playing at home and that even in winning last week, the Eels were far from impressive, it should be comfortable Broncos win here.
Teams:
Brisbane Broncos:
Josh Hoffman, Corey Oates, Jack Reed, David Stagg, Jordan Kahu, Scott Prince, Ben Hunt, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Peter Wallace, Dunamis Lui, Lama Tasi, Nick Slyney, Scott Anderson, Jarrod Wallace
Jake Mullaney, Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan, Ben Roberts, Vai Toutai, Jarryd Hayne, Luke Kelly, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Reni Maitua, Mitch Allgood, Darcy Lussick. Interchange: Joseph Paulo, Peni Terepo, Pat O’Hanlon, Junior Paulo, Brayden Wiliame, Daniel Harrison
Broncos coach rules out late changes
For the second straight week Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has backed Jordan Kahu to play but he insists this time the flyer really will run out onto Suncorp Stadium.
Instead of using Kahu last weekend, Griffin surprisingly blooded winger Jordan Drew in their 26-24 NRL win over St George Illawarra barely 24 hours after drawing the line through the teenage debutant’s chances.
But Griffin appeared to rule out any more surprises for Friday night’s must-win clash with Parramatta, insisting Kahu would finally return from a hand injury on the wing against the Eels.
“Jordan Kahu is right to go so it is all good this week,” he said.
“There will be no late changes.”
Kahu, 22, is due for some good news.
He finally returned in round four after two knee reconstructions in the last two years but has only managed eight games to date after breaking his thumb and then his hand.
“He’s had a few injuries this year but nothing like what he has had in the past,” Griffin said.
“But he’s a good kid. Every time he has pulled on a jersey he has done a good job for us.”
Kahu looks set to feature in another reshuffled backline following strike weapon Justin Hodges’ season-ending Achilles injury.
Utility David Stagg has been asked to fill the big shoes left by Hodges in the centres but looks set to be rotated with skilful Queensland Origin backrower Matt Gillett.
However, Griffin conceded no one could really replace Hodges.
“It certainly changes us. It’s like Souths with (Greg) Inglis,” he said.
“But if we defend well we will get our chances. That’s what we are looking to do tomorrow night.”
His backline may chop and change but Griffin is adamant in-form Josh Hoffman will remain at fullback, appearing to end any chance Corey Norman has of returning for Brisbane before linking with the Eels next season.
“Josh Hoffman is doing a great job at fullback so we didn’t want to move him out of there,” he said.
The 11th-placed Brisbane need to win their final four games to remain in the top eight mix starting with the clash against wooden spoon fancies Parramatta.
But Griffin said: “Their position on the ladder doesn’t matter at this time of the season.
“It’s just another game where we have to be at our best.”