THIS looms as a crunch game for Brisbane in their bid for an all-important top-four spot in season 2008.
They currently sit in fifth spot (23 points) three points adrift of fourth-placed Roosters, with their opponents this week the Sharks entrenched near the top in third spot on 28 points.
Worryingly there have been signs of fray at the Broncos in the three weeks since Origin finished – after resting up with a bye they were expected to renew their campaign with fresh vigour but instead they fell to the enigmatic Bulldogs at home before struggling to put away easy-beats North Queensland last week.
Coach Wayne Bennett wasn’t a happy camper after that effort – especially given his side were out-pointed 18-6 in the second 40 against the wooden spoon favourites sans Johnathan Thurston.
Bennett promised changes and he has delivered, dropping prop David Taylor back to the Queensland Cup.
Justin Hodges returns after a six-week suspension, pushing David Stagg to the bench, with Joel Moon making way in the 17.
Meanwhile, having won six of their past seven, Ricky Stuart is happy with his team’s combinations; his only change this week is back-up hooker Terence Seu Seu joining the bench at Blake Green’s expense.
Although he hasn’t been named, there is an outside chance Greg Bird could make an early comeback from his knee injury this week – he’s scheduled back next round.
The Sharks hold bragging rights over their opponents, having beaten them 13-6 at Toyota Stadium in round 10; however the Broncos have won the past three games on home soil.
Watch out Broncos: The Broncos need to pay particular attention to Paul Gallen who is the stand-out danger man.
The skipper leads by example and when he winds himself up his troops follow suit. The Broncos will need to shut down his promotion of the footy – to date he has 40 offloads which ranks him second in the NRL.
Also, they need to not underestimate the skills of former Bronco Brett Seymour; although his form has been a little patchy he knows how to set up points – he has 13 try assists to date which ranks him seventh in the NRL.
And winger Misi Taulapapa represents a threat out of dummy-half; currently ranked fourth for ruck scoots with 98, he’ll make a stack of metres from there.
Watch out Sharks: A few things conspire to make life difficult for the Sharks.
First, with two games back from injury under his belt Darren Lockyer will be fitter and better able to gauge and read plays.
Ditto Peter Wallace who is still feeling his way back from injury.
Then there’s the unmistakable value in the return of centre Justin Hodges, whose average territory of 136 metres a game is the most by any Broncos player all year.
Hodges is also a prolific offloader and can break tackles with ease.
The Sharks will need to contain him within his first few strides or he’ll leave them floundering with his blistering turn of foot.
Where it will be won: On the scoreboard.
That might sound a little too simplistic but the fact remains the Sharks have made the fewest line breaks all season (averaging 2.8 a game) – and this has translated into their scoring the fewest tries in the NRL.
By comparison the Broncos have averaged 4.1 line breaks and scored 15 more tries.
The Sharks score 18 points a game to the Broncos’ 23. Against Brisbane at home it’s likely the Sharks will need 24 points at least to get the competition points.
Livewire fullback Brett Kearney holds the key to their chances here – he makes the fourth most metres a game returning kicks (68 on average) and will give the visitors great momentum from the back – also, he has 66 tackle busts for the year.
The History: Played 39; Broncos 24, Sharks 15.
The Broncos hold the ascendancy, winning six of the past eight although the Sharks have won two of the past three.
Dismal outlook for the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium though – they’ve won just one of eight games played there.
Conclusion: With Hodges back the Broncos’ attack will give off a heap more spark.
Cronulla are one of the best defensive sides in the NRL – and they’ll need to ply to their ability here, drawing on their best one-on-one tackling skills.
To that end they have two of the best in the game –Brett Kimmorley and Brett Seymour – who rank second and fourth in the comp with 51 and 46 individual efforts respectively.
Brisbane will rise in front of the anticipated 30,000-plus crowd and that could be enough to see them shove their stick into fourth gear.
Shapes as the match of the round.
Match officials: Referee – Shayne Hayne; Sideline Officials – Allan Shortall & David Abood; Video ref – Tim Mander.
Televised: Channel Nine – Live 7.30pm (NSW & Qld); Fox Sports 2 – Delayed 11.30pm.
