Saturday has two NRL matches with the second game being between Parramatta Eels and Brisbane Broncos with the opening kick to commence at 7:30pm local time. The game is to be played at Parramatta Stadium with the favourite for the match being the Brisbane Broncos who are coming off a loss in Round 8. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Parramatta Eels and Brisbane Broncos.
WHERE AND WHEN: Parramatta Stadium, Saturday @1930pm
Preview:
Parramatta Eels vs Brisbane Broncos on Saturday night at 7.30pm. The Eels came so close last week against the Cowboys, and will be extra keen for a win against Brisbane at home. However, Parramatta have been struggling all season, and Brisbane will go into this match as favourites.
The Eels are unpredictable however, and if they can manage to get all systems firing at the same time, they may just be able to get over the line, especially at home.
Teams:
Parramatta Eels:
Jarryd Hayne (c), Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan, Jacob Loko, Vai Toutai, Luke Kelly, Chris Sandow, Fuifui Moimoi, Matt Keating, Tim Mannah, Reni Maitua (c), Kelepi Tanginoa, Peni Terepo Interchange: Kaysa Pritchard, Darcy Lussick, Joseph Paulo, Mitchell Allgood, Api Pewhairangi
Brisbane Broncos:
Corey Norman, Josh Hoffman, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jordan Kahu, Scott Prince, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday (c), Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker
Interchange: Ben Hunt, Scott Anderson, David Hala, Jarrod Wallace, Josh McGuire, David Stagg (two to be omitted)
Referees: Ashley Klein/Gavin Reynolds
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton/Reece Williams
Brisbane Broncos trio pass fitness tests
Injury concerns Justin Hodges, Josh McGuire and David Stagg have all been cleared to tackle Parramatta on Saturday in an NRL clash that has Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin worried.
“They’re a very dangerous side,” said Griffin after his three in-doubt players got through a light session at Red Hill in Brisbane on Friday morning.
“They play well at home where they beat Cronulla and probably should have beaten the Cowboys last week.
“They’ve got plenty of strike across the park with Chris Sandow, Jarryd Hayne (Jacob) Loko and Reni Maitua and their forward pack has plenty of power and aggression.”
Having all three players passed fit adds 450 games of NRL experience to Griffin’s line-up.
Hodges, who has won two premierships and played 15 State of Origin clashes and 13 Tests, gives Brisbane a lift just by being on the field.
“We’ve won some big games without having Justin there but you obviously like having your best players on the field, it’s lovely having him out there,” said Griffin after his star centre missed last Friday’s loss to South Sydney with a groin injury.
“Whenever Hodgo is on the field it’s a bonus for us but we don’t all run and hide under the bed when he’s not there.”
Brisbane badly missed Hodges’ ability to put them on the attack with his forays out of dummy-half and his cool head during a disastrous 10-minute period after halftime when Souths piled on 18 unanswered points.
Workaholic Stagg, who hasn’t played for a month after undergoing a knee cleanout, was a member of Brisbane’s 2006 premiership side and has also played Origin for Queensland.
McGuire hasn’t played much football this season because of a calf strain in round two but his fire and aggression will be invaluable against the rhino-like charges of Eels forwards Tim Mannah and Fuifui Moimoi.
McGuire, who came back too early a few weeks ago, was knocking teammates over at training and putting some extra sting into a few collisions to make sure his suspect calf was up to scratch.
“McGuire trained really well this morning. He was probably the most doubtful of them all but he’s ready to go,” said Griffin.
