Broncos V Titans Preview
NRL.com
Suncorp Stadium
Friday 7.30pm
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52506
SUNCORP Stadium should be packed to the rafters for this almighty local derby as the importance of the clash deserves nothing less.
The fifth-placed Broncos, who looked top four prospects not long ago (and who could still make it there with a bit of luck) are now back towards the logjam of teams just trying to make the top eight.
While a loss is unlikely to see them outside the eight it could easily see them slide back to seventh and with rounds running out that is not a place you want to be.
The Titans are at the back end of those teams in the dogfight, and while just one win from the sixth-placed Raiders, their poor differential has them in 13th on the NRL ladder.
As such a win here is absolutely crucial for the baby brother of the two Queensland teams if they are to keep entertaining the thought of a maiden finals appearance.
Brisbane come into the clash on the back of a loss to the Dragons but they welcome back plenty of big names. Karmichael Hunt returns at fullback which shifts Denan Kemp to the wing and sees Kaine Manihera miss out.
Justin Hodges returns from suspension at centre which pushes Darius Boyd to the wing and sees Reece Robinson make way.
Tonie Carroll also returns at lock, pushing new dad David Stagg to the bench while Greg Eastwood also rejoins the side. Derrick Watkins and Dave Taylor are the unlucky players to miss out.
The Titans were buoyed by the late (but earlier than expected) return of Scott Prince last week and as such were able to nudge out the Cowboys in Townsville to keep their season alive.
Will Matthews has earned a starting berth in the second row with Gavin Cooper going to the bench but otherwise the Titans remain as per last week.
Coach John Cartwright has added Michael Henderson and Clint Amos to the bench which at this stage of the week has six members.
Watch out Broncos: Titans back-rower Anthony Laffranchi is pushing his body to the absolute limit as he tries to get his side into the finals and also claim a spot in the Australian World Cup squad.
Laffranchi is averaging 118 metres gained a match, has 11 line breaks and with 12 tries is the club’s leading try scorer – he’s also running fourth on the list for the entire NRL.
He is also making 34.8 tackles a match, has broken 44 tackles and produced 28 offloads. Always one to rise to an occasion, expect a mammoth performance.
Watch out Titans: Brisbane is having tremendous success attacking the left side this season, the one side where the Gold Coast is defensively weaker.
So far Brisbane has scored 37 tries on the left side of the field compared to 26 on the right but what should concern the Titans is the fact they have conceded 44 tries on the left (that is actually their right-side defenders) compared to just 25 on the right.
Expect the Broncos to try to increase the damage by sending plenty of traffic left. Sam Thaiday is the number one danger on the fringes.
Where it will be won: Discipline. The Titans need to be almost perfect against the Broncos if they are to compete against the firepower the Broncos have out wide.
Currently this season they have given away 155 penalties to be ranked 14th in the NRL while the Broncos have conceded 30 fewer penalties to be ranked third in discipline.
With referee Ben Cummins coming under fire in recent times for his performances, he’ll be hell-bent on having a good game and that means setting a good standard early so the two sides can then go hammer and tong.
The Titans have to be squeaky clean early on when the whistleblower has his eagle eye out otherwise the Broncos will dominate field position and Darren Lockyer, Karmichael Hunt and Justin Hodges will run riot.
The History: Played 3; Broncos 1, Titans 2.
Earlier this season it was the Titans who prevailed 26-24 at Skilled Park.
The two teams clashed twice last season, both at Suncorp, with the honours shared a win apiece.
Conclusion: While the Titans surprised a few by keeping their season alive last week, this week’s assignment is a much tougher ask and they’ll need to be really on song to take the points off the Broncos.
Scott Prince needs to have the game of his life but with both Lockyer and Peter Wallace a bit scratchy right now any such performance could get the Titans over the line.
But with the returning firepower of Hunt and Hodges and the defensive clean-up merchant of Carroll back to support Lockyer, the Broncos should be too strong.
They should put an end to the Titans’ dreams.
Match officials: Referee – Ben Cummins; Sideline Officials – Gerard Sutton & Brett Suttor; Video ref – Tim Mander.
Televised: Channel 9 – Live 7.30pm (Qld), delayed 9.30pm (NSW); Fox Sports 2 – Delayed 1am.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
Ben Cummins
