Friday has one NRL match with the first game for Round 18 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 with the favourite for the match being Cronulla Sharks. 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

Opening odds comparison:

Brisbane Broncos	2.35	2.40	2.32	2.35	2.35	2.35
Cronulla Sharks	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

Fifita credits Flanagan for Origin spot

Andrew Fifita believes the decision by Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan to start him from the bench is the reason he’s become a State of Origin front-rower.

The giant prop was one of the few NSW players to emerge with any credit in the disappointing 26-6 loss to Queensland in game two in Brisbane and was outstanding again in the Sharks’ 36-22 win over the Wests Tigers on Friday night.

The 23-year-old scored two tries, raced for 144 metres in addition to clocking up 34 tackles after coming off the bench against his former club.

Fifita is almost certain to be included in Laurie Daley’s NSW team which will be announced on Sunday evening but admits he wouldn’t have been in with a shout if he hadn’t been benched earlier this season.

“It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me and I wouldn’t be in an Origin jersey if Flanno hadn’t said to me he wanted to start me off the bench,” Fifita said.

“My impact on the game has been excellent and I am just trying so hard to bring that momentum for the boys.”

Flanagan said Fifita has matured into a top grade player over the past year, having been allowed to leave by the Tigers with question marks over his off-field attitude but not his talent.

“Andrew’s growing every week and he understands the game better,” Flanagan said.

“He’s a big powerful thing who can move as he showed with the tries he scored.

“His form’s been great, his attitude has been great and Origin is going to be good for him and he’ll learn so much out of it.

“He likes the No.8 on his back, but he’s growing into understanding what I want from him off the bench and it suits our team.

“He is a front-rower who is going to be around for a very long time and will do well again in Origin.”

Fifita began his life as a winger before a growth spurt in his late teens.

His first try against the Tigers stemmed from a 50m run and then an outrageous sidestep to bamboozle Tigers fullback James Tedesco.

“It was on so I thought I’d use it as Teddy (Tedesco) would have chopped me down around the legs if I had run straight at him,” Fifita said.

“I started out on the wing and I knew I could do it and thankfully it came off.”