2020 NRL – Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters taking place? Thursday 4th June, 2020 – 10:50 (UK)
Where is Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters taking place? Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
What is the expected weather for Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters? 14c, clear skies
What channel is Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters? No tickets are available as NRL matches are currently taking place behind closed doors
THE TEAM NEWS
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Starting 13: Isaako, Oates, Arthars, Boyd, Farnworth, Milford, Croft, Flegler, Paix, Haas, Bullemor, Hopoate, Carrigan – Interchanges: Niu, Ofahengaue, Kennedy, Lodge – Reserves: Coates, Dearden
Unavailable: Jack Bird (Injured), Jordan Kahu (Injured), Sean O’Sullivan (Injured), Keenan Palasia (Injured), Tevita Pangai Jnr. (Suspended), David Fifita (Injured), Kotoni Staggs (Suspended), Alex Glenn (Injured), Jake Turpin (Injured)
- After looking impressive in their two wins to begin the 2020 NRL campaign, Brisbane Broncos reverted to some bad habits that they produced last year as they were on the end of a big loss against Parramatta Eels.
- In the 6-34 defeat, the Broncos bombed a couple of tries in the first half and that proved to be decisive with the Eels dominating possessing thanks to a poor completion rate of just 63% by Brisbane while Parramatta were able to run for 1,000m more than the hosts managed.
- To make matters worse for Brisbane, they have lost Kotoni Staggs to suspension and Alex Glenn to injury to add to an already long list of unavailable players with Rhys Kennedy coming into the 17 along with Tesi Niu with the latter set to make his debut along with Cory Paix who has been listed to started at hooker 24 hours before kick-off due to Jake Turpin suffering a leg fracture.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Starting 13: Tedesco, Tupou, J. Morris, Manu, B. Morris, Keary, Flanagan, Waerea-Hargreaves, Friend, Collins, Cordner, Crichton, Radley – Interchanges: Verrills, Liu, Butcher, Tupouniua – Reserves: Taukeiaho, Hall
Unavailable: Billy Smith (Injured)
- Sydney Roosters put in a solid display to pick up their first win at the third attempt of asking as they overcame bitter rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs last week but the reigning premiers need to back that up as they travel to Suncorp Stadium to face the Brisbane Broncos.
- The Roosters saw less ball than the Rabbitohs but made more metres from less carries and perhaps significantly, they were able to amass 47.2m a set on average compared to their opponents’ average of 39m per set.
- Head coach Trent Robinson has opted to name the same 17 as last week in his initial team but Mitchell Aubusson and Siosiua Taukeiaho are listed among the reserves and while both were expected to be late inclusions after missing out against the Rabbitohs because of personal reasons and injury respectively, the former will again be absent after he was cut when the squad was reduced to 19.
THE PREDICTION
Brisbane Broncos put in a display that will have brought back painful memories of last season as they were swept aside by Parramatta Eels in their first game back in action. They face another difficult challenge here as they host premiers Sydney Roosters who collected their first win of the campaign over South Sydney Rabbitohs last week. The Tricolours looked strong on both sides of the ball and a similar performance here will spell trouble for the hosts. Despite losing their last six matches against the Broncos at Suncorp, the Roosters look well set to pick up their first win at this venue against Brisbane since 2014 and should be able to do so by at least eight points.
