Sterlo's Parra Preview - Broncos v Eels, Round 12
The Parramatta Eels take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday 24 May in Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
After coming off a 24-14 defeat to the New Zealand Warriors last week, Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur has made a handful of changes to his side this week.
Corey Norman has been named at fullback with captain Clint Gutherson moving into the halves alongside Mitch Moses.
With Beau Scott ruled out after sustaining an ACL injury, Siosaia Vave returns to the side in the starting line up alongside Daniel Alvaro. Peni Terepo shifts to lock with Manu Ma’u and Tepai Moeroa in the back row.
Will Smith, Suaia Matagi, David Gower and Marata Niukore have been named on the bench alongside Ray Stone, Jaeman Salmon, Kane Evans and Josh Hoffman as reserves.
For the home side, the Brisbane Broncos, Head Coach Wayne Bennett welcomes back centre Jordan Kahu to his side in place of Tom Opacic who drops to the reserves.
George Fai replaces Korbin Sims who has also been ruled out with injury whilst Josh McGuire is a chance of playing after being named in the reserves.
The Broncos are coming off a thrilling victory over the Sydney Roosters last week, with outside backs Jamayne Isaako and James Roberts securing a come from behind victory in the dying stages of the clash.
The Broncos currently sit ninth on the ladder, with six wins from the opening eleven rounds and will be looking for back to back victories.
The Eels have slumped to 2-9 to start their season, languishing at the bottom of the ladder, but BA’s new look spine can hopefully spark the Eels to victory.
Historically, the Broncos hold a slight head to head advantage with 31 wins from 53 clashes, including 11 wins from 18 games at Suncorp Stadium.
In their last time these two sides met, the Eels trounced the Broncos with a 52-34 victory at Suncorp Stadium in Round 25 of the 2017 season along with a 28-14 victory at ANZ Stadium in Round 21.
Eels prop Suaia Matagi will play his 100th NRL game whilst Wayne Bennett will coach his 800th match.
Kick off is at 7:50pm.
Match Details: Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels, Round Twelve, Thursday 24 May, Suncorp Stadium.
Head-to-head: Played 53; Broncos 31 wins, Eels 21 wins, 1 draw
Matches at venue: Played 18; Broncos 11 wins, Eels 7 wins
2017 results: Eels won 28-14 at ANZ Stadium in round 21; Eels won 52-34 at Suncorp Stadium in round 25
Points per game: Broncos 19.5; Eels 14.5
Points conceded per game: Broncos 23.1; Eels 22.7
Televised: Live on Nine, Fox League
Brisbane Broncos:
1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Tevita Pangai jnr, 12 Jaydn Su'A, 13 Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange: 14 Sam Tagataese,15 George Fai, 16 Kotoni Staggs, 17 Patrick Mago 18 Tom Opacic, 19 Troy Dargan, 20 Josh McGuire, 21 David Fifita
Parramatta Eels:
1 Corey Norman, 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Brad Takairangi, 5 George Jennings, 6 Clint Gutherson (c), 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Manu Ma'u, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Peni Terepo
Interchange 14 Will Smith, 15 Suaia Matagi, 16 David Gower, 17 Marata Niukore 18 Raymond Stone, 19 Jaeman Salmon, 20 Kane Evans, 21 Josh Hoffman
