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Craig HillRound 15 Preview - Broncos vs Tigers
June 24th 2007 20:09
VENUE and TIME: Suncorp Stadium, Monday 7pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 13, Broncos 9, Tigers 3, drawn 1
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio, Triple M Radio
LAST CLASH: Tigers 20-6, Suncorp Stadium, 2006
MEDICAL ROOM:
Brisbane will be without the services of Sam Thaiday and David Stagg for this vital encounter, with Thaiday out until at least Round 19 with an ankle injury, whilst Stagg should make his return next week from a troublesome shoulder complaint.
The Tigers are still without chief playmakers Brett Hodgson (cheek) and Benji Marshall (shoulder) for an indefinite period, whilst robust prop Ryan O’Hara will make his return from injury next week against the Raiders.
FORM:
Brisbane have struggled for consistency all season, with the defending premiers yet to string together back to back victories in season ’07. The Broncos showed glimpses of their 2006 form in their last start victory against the Bulldogs, with coach Wayne Bennett finally settling on a potent halves combination in Darren Lockyer and Michael Ennis.
After storming to a six game winning sequence earlier in the season, the Tigers have gone off the boil in the past month, with injuries to key players threatening to derail their 2007 campaign. Wests narrowly lost to the Titans in a last start thriller, but have won four from seven away games this season.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Shaun Berrigan vs Robbie Farah
The battle between these two creative number nines holds the key to victory for these two sides.
Berrigan has been a revelation since coach Bennett shifted him to the hooking role late last season, with the former centres speed and footwork carving up even the best of defences. Lethal inside the oppositions red zone, Berrigan has set up many Broncos tries this season with his characteristic scoot and offload when close to the line.
Favoured to grab the vacant NSW bench utility spot for Origin three, Farah has the attacking spark that has selectors sitting up and taking notice of the Tigers number nine. Possessing a handy long and short kicking game, Farah has the shrewd ability to know when to pass and when to dart himself when inside the oppositions red zone.
Michael Ennis vs John Morris
These two makeshift halfbacks will look to relieve the pressure off their more dominant halves partners, with both former hookers relishing their new position.
It has been a long road back for former Dragons hooker Ennis, with a shattering leg injury early last year keeping him on the sidelines for a frustratingly long period. The nuggetty, goal kicking hooker/half is a vital part of the Broncos premiership defence, with Ennis’s versatility and kicking game now complimenting Lockyer at the base of the scrum.
With the loss of Marshall for an extended period, Tigers half John Morris has handled enormous amounts of pressure to successfully direct the young Tigers around the park this season. The former Knights and Eels half was the perfect foil for the play making brilliance of Marshall, but he has shown in recent weeks that he to is just as effective in attack, with a crafty short kicking game laying on Tigers tries in recent weeks.
VERDICT:
A full strength Broncos side should have too much class for an under strength Tigers side minus attacking weapons Hodgson and Marshall.
Broncos by 14
Brisbane Broncos -
Karmichael Hunt, Steve Michaels, Darius Boyd, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Darren Lockyer (c), Mick Ennis, Ben Hannant, Shaun Berrigan, Petero Civoniceva, Corey Parker, Dane Carlaw, Tonie Carroll
Interchange -
Ian Lacey, Greg Eastwood, Brad Thorn, Dave Taylor, Joel Moon
Wests Tigers -
Shannon McDonnell, Daniel Fitzhenry, Dean Collis, Paul Whatuira, Taniela Tuiaki, Chris Lawrence, John Morris, Todd Payten, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Heighington, Ben Galea, Dene Halatau
Interchange -Liam Fulton, Bronson Harrison, Ben Te'o, Keith Galloway
Referee – Shayne Hayne
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 13, Broncos 9, Tigers 3, drawn 1
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio, Triple M Radio
LAST CLASH: Tigers 20-6, Suncorp Stadium, 2006
MEDICAL ROOM:
Brisbane will be without the services of Sam Thaiday and David Stagg for this vital encounter, with Thaiday out until at least Round 19 with an ankle injury, whilst Stagg should make his return next week from a troublesome shoulder complaint.
The Tigers are still without chief playmakers Brett Hodgson (cheek) and Benji Marshall (shoulder) for an indefinite period, whilst robust prop Ryan O’Hara will make his return from injury next week against the Raiders.
FORM:
Brisbane have struggled for consistency all season, with the defending premiers yet to string together back to back victories in season ’07. The Broncos showed glimpses of their 2006 form in their last start victory against the Bulldogs, with coach Wayne Bennett finally settling on a potent halves combination in Darren Lockyer and Michael Ennis.
After storming to a six game winning sequence earlier in the season, the Tigers have gone off the boil in the past month, with injuries to key players threatening to derail their 2007 campaign. Wests narrowly lost to the Titans in a last start thriller, but have won four from seven away games this season.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Shaun Berrigan vs Robbie Farah
The battle between these two creative number nines holds the key to victory for these two sides.
Berrigan has been a revelation since coach Bennett shifted him to the hooking role late last season, with the former centres speed and footwork carving up even the best of defences. Lethal inside the oppositions red zone, Berrigan has set up many Broncos tries this season with his characteristic scoot and offload when close to the line.
Favoured to grab the vacant NSW bench utility spot for Origin three, Farah has the attacking spark that has selectors sitting up and taking notice of the Tigers number nine. Possessing a handy long and short kicking game, Farah has the shrewd ability to know when to pass and when to dart himself when inside the oppositions red zone.
Michael Ennis vs John Morris
These two makeshift halfbacks will look to relieve the pressure off their more dominant halves partners, with both former hookers relishing their new position.
It has been a long road back for former Dragons hooker Ennis, with a shattering leg injury early last year keeping him on the sidelines for a frustratingly long period. The nuggetty, goal kicking hooker/half is a vital part of the Broncos premiership defence, with Ennis’s versatility and kicking game now complimenting Lockyer at the base of the scrum.
With the loss of Marshall for an extended period, Tigers half John Morris has handled enormous amounts of pressure to successfully direct the young Tigers around the park this season. The former Knights and Eels half was the perfect foil for the play making brilliance of Marshall, but he has shown in recent weeks that he to is just as effective in attack, with a crafty short kicking game laying on Tigers tries in recent weeks.
VERDICT:
A full strength Broncos side should have too much class for an under strength Tigers side minus attacking weapons Hodgson and Marshall.
Broncos by 14
Brisbane Broncos -
Karmichael Hunt, Steve Michaels, Darius Boyd, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Darren Lockyer (c), Mick Ennis, Ben Hannant, Shaun Berrigan, Petero Civoniceva, Corey Parker, Dane Carlaw, Tonie Carroll
Interchange -
Ian Lacey, Greg Eastwood, Brad Thorn, Dave Taylor, Joel Moon
Wests Tigers -
Shannon McDonnell, Daniel Fitzhenry, Dean Collis, Paul Whatuira, Taniela Tuiaki, Chris Lawrence, John Morris, Todd Payten, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Heighington, Ben Galea, Dene Halatau
Interchange -Liam Fulton, Bronson Harrison, Ben Te'o, Keith Galloway
Referee – Shayne Hayne
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