Friday has two NRL matches with the first game for Round 25 is between Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights with the opening kick to commence at 7:35pm local time. The game is to be played at Suncorp Stadium with the favourite for the match being Brisbane Broncos. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights.

WHERE AND WHEN: Suncorp Stadium, Friday, 30th August, 7:35pm

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Opening odds comparison:

Brisbane Broncos	1.70	1.75	1.67	1.75	1.70	1.70
Newcastle Knights	2.15	2.08	2.25	2.08	2.15	2.17

Preview:

The first game of NRL Round 25 is between the Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights, kicking off on Friday night, Suncorp Stadium at 7.35pm.

While the Broncos are still a theoretical chance of making the eight, at 13th after a disappointing loss last round, this is very unlikely.

Newcastle have a lot more to play for, currently sitting in 7th position and keen to hang on with only two games remaining.

With so many teams breathing down the Knights’ neck, they need to prove themselves and turn around from their 26-6 loss against the Cowboys last round.

Teams:

Brisbane Broncos:
Josh Hoffman, Corey Oates, Jack Reed, Alex Glenn, Jordan Kahu, Scott Prince, Ben Hunt, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Peter Wallace, David Stagg, Dunamis Lui, Lama Tasi, Scott Anderson

Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Willie Mason, Danny Buderus, Zane Tetevano, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Alex McKinnon. Interchange: Kurt Gidley, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, David Fa’alogo

Barba: I would have quit NRL for family

Ben Barba says leaving Canterbury to join Brisbane was the hardest decision he’s had to make and he would’ve walked away from the NRL if his ex-partner hadn’t moved to another club’s area.

Barba will link up with the Broncos at the start of next season after the club took over the terms of his existing deal with the Bulldogs and paid them compensation, believed to be around $300,000, to secure the 2012 Dally M Medallist.

The 24-year-old was granted a release due to family reasons as his ex-partner is moving back to Queensland with their two daughters and the superstar fullback says he would have moved anywhere in the country to be near his children.

“My ex-partner has a lot of family and friends there (in Brisbane) and luckily she moved there, it wasn’t really my choice,” Barba said.

“If she had moved to Perth I probably would be sitting out now and not playing rugby league I would have had to go and try out with the (AFL’s) West Coast (Eagles).”

Barba said he’s had nothing but support from his teammates who were fully behind his reasons for leaving the club.

“Most of them are fathers and it was pretty easy for them to understand,” said Barba.

“They’re glad that I am happy and the choice has been made.

“We’re all grown men here and I said to the players when I first came back this year after my problems that if they had a problem with me to come and have a talk one on one so I could explain myself.

“But none of them have so I took that as they are all sweet.”

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler said he was undecided on who he would consider to replace Barba next year.

The club have been linked with Parramatta’s Jarryd Hayne and lost out on sacked Canberra star Josh Dugan to St George Illawarra.

Canberra bad boy Blake Ferguson is another player who the Bulldogs are believed to be interested in.

The Raiders star is currently at odds with his club, who have stopped his wages after he failed to turn up for training or answer phone calls.

When asked if he wanted to sign him, Hasler replied: “Have they found him yet?”