Going head-to-head at The Gabba for the first time in history, the Sydney Roosters will be hungry to secure back-to-back wins when they face the competition heavyweights on Thursday evening.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos
Thursday night’s clash marks the 57th battle between the Roosters and Broncos since 1988, when Brisbane entered the competition.
In recent history, the Roosters have been dominant, claiming five wins from six outings, including their most significant victory (59-0) over the Queensland-based club in June of 2020.
The Broncos enter the Round 22 match in second place on the competition ladder following 14 wins from 19 games, while the Roosters are looking to piece together consecutive wins with the aim of climbing into the top eight as the season nears it’s final rounds.
How They Line Up
Trent Robinson has listed a similar squad to the one that overcame the Titans last week, with Victor Radley returning to the line-up after missing the Round 21 clash with hamstring tightness. His inclusion sees Nathan Brown revert to the interchange bench.
James Tedesco will lead the Tricolours at fullback again this week. Daniel Tupou and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii line-up on the wings with Billy Smith and Joseph Manu in the centres.
Luke Keary and Sandon Smith will continue their combination in the halves, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Brandon Smith and Lindsay Collins make up the front row.
Egan and Nat Butcher will feature in the second row, with Radley rounding out the starting side at lock.
The interchange bench includes Jake Turpin, Brown, Terrell May and Fletcher Baker. Corey Allan, Wong, Drew Hutchison, Fetalaiga Pauga and Dylan Napa complete the squad on the extended bench.
Match: Broncos v Roosters
Round 22 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Broncos is number 2 Deine MarinerWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
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Lock for Broncos is number 17 Keenan PalasiaLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson SmoothyInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Jake Turpin
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey JensenInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Nathan Brown
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Kobe HetheringtonInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May
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Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Xavier WillisonInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher Baker
Reserves
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Replacement for Broncos is number 19 Jock MaddenReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Corey Allan
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has named Origin prop Thomas Flegler to return following a foot injury, with his inclusion seeing Keenan Palasia revert to the interchange bench. Deine Mariner and Brendan Piakrua replace suspended duo Jesse Arthars and Martin Taupau.
Key Match Up: Lindsay Collins vs Payne Haas
Only a month ago, Lindsay Collins and Payne Haas met in the Origin area, this week they’ll go head-to-head in the middle of the field wearing Club colours.
The hulking front rowers have been key cogs in attack and defence for their respective sides throughout the season and will be looking to increase the heat when they meet on Thursday night.
So far in 2023, Collins has claimed two tries and broken 29 tackles while averaging 110 run metres per match. The star prop backs up is consistent carries with hard-hitting defence, recording 533 tackles in his 17 appearances
His counterpart, Haas, has also been dominant in attack for the Broncos, making 81 tackle breaks and averaging 188 run metres in his 16 appearances this season. The 23-year-old boasts a tackle efficiency rating of 98.1% after making 460 tackles, only missing nine.
With plenty to play for and key inclusions named on both ends of the field, look to Collins and Haas to lead from the front and guide their respective sides across the park.
What They Said
Collins & Keary | Deadly Choices
"It’s iconic it's Brisbane, it’s one of their biggest stages and I’m looking forward to it, it should be good." - Lindsay Collins
Final Verdict
The Roosters will be aiming to secure back-to-back wins to ensure their goal of making top eight remains within reach.
With plenty of mouth-watering match-ups across the field, this is a game not to be missed!
You can purchase your tickets for our Round 22 clash here. If you can’t make it to Brisbane, be sure to attend Easts Bondi Junction where you can watch the game live from Artie’s Bar. Easts are also running happy hour for two hours pre-match with the Roosters NSW Cup team in attendance.
It's not too late to Call yourself a Rooster in 2023! With three home games remaining, sign up today.
