The Broncos will go in as hot favourites against the injury-ravaged Rabbitohs but they'll need to lift their intensity considerably after they were ambushed by the Eels on their home deck in Round 21.
That defeat dropped the Broncos from fifth to sixth on the ladder and took their record at Suncorp Stadium to 7-4 for the season with bumper home games against the Dolphins and Storm still to come after Souths this weekend.
With all their big guns available and Origin in the rearview mirror the Broncos should be ready to power into September at full throttle but they will need to keep their guard up against a gutsy Souths outfit coached by the man who led Brisbane to six premierships.
The old master Wayne Bennett would love nothing better than to ride into Brisbane and upset Michael Maguire's apple cart with an unexpected win.
They may be down on troops and hovering dangerously close to Bennett's first ever wooden spoon as a coach but the Bunnies showed against the Sharks that they won't just lie down and surrender.
Match: Broncos v Rabbitohs
Round 22 -
home Team
Broncos
6th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
17th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Broncos: Selwyn Cobbo has been recalled for his first game since Round 18 while Deine Mariner comes in on other wing with Jesse Arthars and Josiah Karapani making way. The forward pack and bench remain unchanged.
Rabbitohs: Skipper Jack Wighton was found guilty of a Grade 2 Shoulder Charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night and suspended for four matches so a reshuffle will be needed. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape returns from a groin injury on the wing while halfback Jamie Humphreys (concussion) is also back on deck. The shoulder injury to Tavita Tatola sees Jai Arrow move to prop, Jacob Host into the second row and Thomas Fletcher join the bench on NRL debut. Lewis Dodd and Tyrone Munro have dropped to the reserves.
Match: Broncos v Rabbitohs
Round 22 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Selwyn CobboWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat ShibasakiCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Tallis Duncan
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Deine MarinerWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 19 Lewis Dodd
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 17 Ashton Ward
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Xavier WillisonProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Jai Arrow
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Ben HuntHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Ryan Gray
-
Prop for Broncos is number 16 Corey JensenProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Euan Aitken
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 17 Jack Gosiewski2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Lachlan Hubner
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy WaltersInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Siliva Havili
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe HetheringtonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Liam Le Blanc
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Tyson SmoothyInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas Fletcher
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 20 Ben TaltyInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 20 Tyrone Munro
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 19 Jesse ArtharsReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Peter Mamouzelos
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds requires four points to reach 2500 career points.
- The Rabbitohs have conceded 136 points in four consecutive losses at Suncorp Stadium.
- Broncos interchange Billy Walters is on a three-game tryscoring run.
- Wayne Bennett has won 11 of his last 12 games against Michael Maguire-coached teams.
- Hooker Ben Hunt will make his 200th appearance for the Broncos.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
