Friday only NRL Round 1 match is between Canterbury Bulldogs and Brisbane Broncos with the opening kick to commence at 8.05pm. The game is to be played at ANZ Stadium which see’s Home team Canterbury Bulldogs hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Canterbury Bulldogs and Brisbane Broncos.

WHERE AND WHEN: ANZ Stadium, Friday, March 7 – 8.05pm

Special Offer: If your team score 18 points or more but lose the match, we’ll refund your bet!

Odds Comparison:

Canterbury Bulldogs	1.55	1.58	1.53	1.58	1.55	1.55
Brisbane Broncos	2.45	2.40	2.50	2.40	2.45	2.45

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

After a poor 2013 season that saw them finish 12^th on the ladder and miss the finals for the second time in the past four years the Broncos and their Coach Anthony Griffin, will be under close scrutiny from the opening round in 2014.

Griffin has made several key changes in the attempt to halt his team’s steady decline in form over the past two seasons including announcing Corey Parker and Justin Hodges as co-captains, taking over from Sam Thaiday.

He is also going with a new and younger halves combination in Ben Hunt (halfback) and former fullback, Josh Hoffman (five-eighth) – for round 1 at least, in the hope of improving the Bronco’s attack which last year was very uncharacteristically, the 4^th worse in the competition.

Replacing Hoffman’s at fullback will be Ben Barba, the former Bulldog who after a tumultuous 2013 that saw him miss several weeks of the season due to off-field drama, request an early release from the club and leave the Bulldogs unceremoniously.

Taking on his old club first here adds to the anticipation of the first round clash.

Due to a number of injuries and suspensions, the Canterbury Bulldogs had a disastrous starts to 2013 winning only one of the first six games and having to spend the rest of the season playing catch-up.

Again this year the Bulldogs will be missing a few to injury  – forwards Sam Kasiano and Greg Eastwood along with back, Kristan Inu – but have enough regulars in the starting line-up to cover for their absences.

The Bulldogs prepared for their first game of the season with a win over Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium were they fielded a full strength outfit and with new recruit Chase Stanley (transferred from St. George) already looking at home in the centres.

The Bulldogs have won three of the past five encounters between the two clubs – all when playing at home and with the confidence and direction of a regular halves pairing, compared to the as debutante combination of the Broncos, the Bulldogs start deserved favourites for this game.

Teams:

Canterbury Bulldogs:

Sam Perrett, Mitch Brown, Josh Morris, Chase Stanley, Corey Thompson, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (c), James Graham, Frank Pritchard (c), Tony Williams, Dale Finucane

Interchange: Josh Jackson, Pat O’Hanlon, Tim Browne, David Klemmer, Moses Mbye (one to be omitted)

Brisbane Broncos:

Ben Barba, Daniel Vidot, Jack Reed, Dale Copley, Lachlan Maranta, Josh Hoffman, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Corey Parker (c), Alex Glenn , Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett

Interchange: Ben Hannant, Martin Kennedy, Todd Lowrie, Jarrod Wallace, David Hala (one to be omitted)

News:

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin admits he does not know when new co-captain Justin Hodges will make his NRL return from an Achilles tendon injury.

Griffin has already attempted to solve one backline dilemma with his bold decision to name New Zealand fullback Josh Hoffman at five eighth for Friday night’s NRL season opener against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

However, another may loom with strike weapon Hodges not expected back any time soon despite initially predicting a round four return.

Griffin said the Test and Queensland centre was a “way off” from playing despite returning to full training a fortnight ago.

And the man named to replace Hodges is another on the injury comeback trail, Dale Copley, who had his 2013 season ended for a knee reconstruction.

Hodges – who missed the entire 2010 season also with an Achilles injury – had hoped to return in time to be in Queensland State of Origin team contention for the series opener in Brisbane on May 28.

But Griffin could not nominate a round for Hodges’ return on Thursday.

“He has done a great job rehabbing himself,” he said of Hodges who snapped his Achilles in round 22 last season.

“He is getting used to the week in, week out training.

“But he is a way off.”

Griffin backed Copley to fill Hodges’ big shoes.

“It’s great having him back, he has untapped potential,” Griffin said.

“The fact he has been able to play minutes in all three trials will give him some confidence.”

More backline calls are on the horizon with young utility Corey Oates’s injury return looming.

The towering Oates – who is battling niggles after storming onto the NRL scene last year – can play in the centres, on the wing or the backrow.

But Griffin appeared to have a position for him in mind.

“Corey is getting close, maybe round three or four. He scored eight tries last year so I know he can play wing,” said Griffin, in what must be a warning to wingers Lachlan Maranta and Daniel Vidot.