Broncos v Dolphins: Reynolds returns; Flegler good to go
The battle for south-east Queensland bragging rights is set up perfectly with the Broncos and Dolphins arriving in winning form and primed to make a statement at a packed Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos took the honours in both meetings last year as they surged towards a drought-breaking premiership but the Dolphins are a very different proposition with Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert back in business.
Once the forwards have slugged it out in the middle the ball will find its way to a flotilla of flashy finishers including Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and Ezra Mam on one side and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo on the other.
A high-scoring shootout is certainly on the cards as last year's most potent team the Dolphins look to outrun and outgun the defending premiers who put the steel back in their defence in the second half at AAMI Park.
Match: Broncos v Dolphins
Round 4 -
home Team
Broncos
10th Position
away Team
Dolphins
8th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Broncos: A major blow for the premiers with Payne Haas ruled out of Friday's Battle of Brisbane due to a shoulder injury. Xavier Willison is set to start at prop in his place. In positive news, halfback Adam Reynolds is on track to return from a rib injury that forced him to miss last week's win over Melbourne. Reynolds' inclusion will see Ben Hunt shift to the interchange. Jesse Arthars and Thomas Duffy were omitted 24 hours before kick-off with Va'a Semu added to the six-man interchange in jersey No.22.
Dolphins: Representative prop Tom Flegler is set to make his return from a rib injury via the interchange, with coach Kristian Woolf looking to roll out the same starting side that defeated Cronulla last weekend. Francis Molo is also in the mix to return from suspension and has been named on the bench. Tevita Naufahu and Brian Pouniu were omitted 24 hours before kick-off.
Match: Broncos v Dolphins
Round 4 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah KarapaniWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Deine MarinerCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Grant AndersonWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey JensenProp for Dolphins is number 8 Tom Gilbert
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max Plath
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Xavier WillisonProp for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan Knowles
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Ben HuntInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Bradley Schneider
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben TaltyInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Thomas Flegler
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Aublix TawhaInterchange for Dolphins is number 17 Ray Stone
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Gehamat ShibasakiInterchange for Dolphins is number 19 Francis Molo
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 18 Jaiyden HuntReserve for Dolphins is number 16 Oryn Keeley
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Va'a SemuReserve for Dolphins is number 18 Trai Fuller
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have won four of their five games against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
- Dolphins centre Jake Averillo has scored six tries in his last four NRL games.
- Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored seven tries in his last six games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 20 tries in his last 14 games at Suncorp.
- Broncos prop Corey Jensen will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
