Sunday’s NRL 2018 Round 17 match is between Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos. The opening kick is set to commence at 16:10 local time with the game to be played at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast. The away team Brisbane Broncos are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos.
When: 16:10 | Sunday 08/07/2018
Where: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Preview:
Local derby, big brother v little brother.
Both teams are coming off wins and this one being played on a Sunday afternoon will warrant a big crowd and fantastic atmosphere.
Having played in these games, they always provide something special.
The Titans had a great come-from-behind victory against the Tigers with Ash Taylor stepping up along with some of his big men.
Two of those big men Jarrod Wallace and Jai Arrow won’t be there this week due to Queensland commitments.
On the Broncos side, they found themselves in a very similar situation.
Showed some great character to come from 16 points behind to get a classic victory.
The dominance from Anthony Milford in that second half was real pleasing and will be a great battle up against Taylor.
These two individuals bring so much to each team.
The loss of Corey Oates, Josh McGuire, James Roberts and Andrew McCullough will really hurt Brisbane, but I feel with the return of Tevita Pangai Jr and the fact they still have Milford and Darius Boyd, they can get the job done.
The Verdict
One thing they will need to be very good at if they are to do this, will be their 5th play options.
Been a real concern for Brisbane in 2018 and with Taylor leading the comp with try assists off his boot, they will need to be handing the ball over where they want them to have it.
This lays firmly on Kodi Nikorima and Milford.
Kodi needs to step up a bit more in taking ownership with the team.
The Titans will have to rely on Ash as Alexander Brimson will be in Queensland’s Under-20s camp.
Brisbane lead the Gold Coast 14-3 in head-to-head matchups since 2010 and the Broncos have a 52-26 (66.7 percent) W/L record playing within its home state after a win since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
Gold Coast at $2.25
Brisbane at $1.65
Odds:
Tip: Brisbane Broncos at $1.68
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Jordan Kahu at $15.00
More Info:
Teams:
Gold Coast Titans:
1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Dale Copley, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jack Stockwell, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Will Matthews, 13 Keegan Hipgrave
Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Morgan Boyle, 16 Konrad Hurrell, 17 Moeaki Fotuaika
Reserves: 18 Leilani Latu, 19 Kane Elgey, 20 Ryan Simpkins, 21 Brendan Elliott.
Brisbane Broncos: 
1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Jonus Pearson, 3 Tom Opacic, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Jake Turpin, 10 Sam Thaiday, 17 Alex Glenn, 12 Jaydn Su’A, 13 Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange: 14 Patrick Mago, 15 Tevita Pangai jnr, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Kotoni Staggs
Reserves: 18 Patrick Carrigan, 19 David Fifita, 20 Sam Tagataese, 21 Sam Scarlett.
NRL News:
Brisbane forward Joe Ofahengaue has been denied a last chance to impress Queensland selectors after succumbing to a virus before Saturday night’s NRL clash with Canberra.
Ofahengaue had been hoping an impressive display for the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium would nail down a Maroons debut in July 11’s State of Origin dead rubber in Brisbane.
Eighth-placed Brisbane had already been hit by the withdrawal of second-rower Tevita Pangai (ribs) but have welcomed back prop Korbin Sims from a broken jaw.
