Dominic Brock | rugbyleaguelive.com | 08/05/08 | 0
Brisbane Broncos v Manly Sea Eagles
Sunday 11th May, 2.00pm
Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Shayne Hayne
HEAD TO HEAD
Broncos 15 wins, Sea Eagles 12 wins, 1 drawn.
FORM GUIDE
Broncos: WWWLWLWW
Sea Eagles: LLWWLWWB
One of the NRL’s form sides up against the 2007 runners-up in what could be a cracker of a Sunday afternoon clash.
The Broncos have been one of the league’s frontrunners from the start of the season – with or without Darren Lockyer – and they still will have plenty of firepower without their injured skipper this weekend. Despite their strong start to the year the traditionally star-studded Broncos side will have just one player taking part in Friday’s Test match, with Justin Hodges the only man to back up.
Manly has Brent Kite playing in the Australia-New Zealand match but will otherwise be fresh from last week’s bye. Brett Stewart remains a doubt to play with an ongoing calf injury, while Steve Matai has shifted into the centres with Jamie Lyon named at five-eighth.
The Sea Eagles are coming off excellent back-to-back wins over the Eels and the Bulldogs and seem to be returning to the form that saw them conquer everyone but Melbourne in 2007. Brisbane is also chasing its third straight win, albeit notching their previous two against strugglers South Sydney and Wests.
Brisbane has missed their coach this week, with Wayne Bennett away on New Zealand duty (still sounds strange, doesn’t it?). Still, the home ground advantage gives the Broncos a real edge.
THE BURNING QUESTION
In a battle of two in-form teams hitting their peak, which one will show they’re a genuine title contender?
KEY MATCH UPS
Peter Wallace v Matt Orford
A young gun on the rise up against a star out to show he’s not past his best.
Wallace made a terrific start to the season that saw the young halfback named as the early favourite to take the Blues No.7 jersey in this year’s Origin, guiding the Broncos to three straight wins off the back of a great forward pack. Orford meanwhile has been seemingly written off as a rep footballer, despite being involved in two superb wins in the past couple of weeks.
Wallace came off the bench for City last week while Orford missed selection altogether, and this week expressed his dismay at selectors.
Orford’s coach has called him the most consistent option for the NSW halfback spot, but it could take a dominant performance against Wallace could be what it takes to improve his slim State of Origin chances.
COACHES CORNER
Des Hasler has shifted Steve Matai to the centres with Jamie Lyon named at five-eighth, but it’s still unsure where Lyon will actually line-up in the backline. Steve Menzies returns early from a hamstring strain to start in the second-row, while Josh Perry replaces the injured Jason King at prop.
David Stagg will cover for Lockyer at five-eighth for the home side. His absence is obviously a blow, but the Broncos have put more emphasis on ball-playing forwards this season and it will again be the big men who can ensure the hosts dominate proceedings against Manly. Michael Ennis is playing great football behind a hard-working pack, and, with Jason King, Anthony Watmough and possibly Kite missing for the Sea Eagles, it’s here where the Broncos could have the upper hand.
Lyon’s switch back to No.6 could be an attempt to get the attacking weapon closer to the action, or could equally be a bluff from Hasler.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Brisbane have scored the first try in six of their eight games this year. Take a look at a Brisbane try for first scoring play, or back Darius Boyd to notch try number eight for 2008 as first try-scorer.
CASUALTY WARD
Broncos: Darren Lockyer – knee (indefinite), Corey Parker – knee (Rd 10), Steve Michaels – knee (season)
Sea Eagles: Michael Bani- ankle (Rd 11), Jason King – foot (Rd 15), Anthony Watmough – knee (Rd 10)
BAD BOYS
Broncos: -
Sea Eagles: -
TEAM LISTS
Broncos: Karmichael Hunt, Denan Kemp, Darius Boyd, Justin Hodges, Reece Robinson, David Stagg (capt), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Joel Clinton, Sam Thaiday, Ashton Sims, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: PJ Marsh, Nick Kenny, Greg Eastwood, Joel Moon, David Taylor, Derrick Watkins. (two to be omitted)
Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Steve Matai, David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford (capt), Josh Perry, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Steve Menzies, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson. Interchange: Vic Mauro, Glenn Hall, Adam Cuthbertson, Mark Bryant, Heath L'Estrange, Nick Bradley-Qalilawa, Phil Morwood. (three to be omitted)
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