Broncos and Sea Eagles set to clash in Magic Round

Rugby ball on the green ground. Rugby League

NRL MAGIC ROUND 10, MAY 5th, 2023 BRISBANE BRONCOS v MANLY SEA EAGLES

SUNCORP STADIUM,BRISBANE

The Sea Eagles and Broncos will clash in the second game of Magic Round weekend on Friday night with both sides looking to rebound after losses in Round 9. 

Manly’s loss to the Titans was a disappointing one given they were at fortress Brookvale and it won’t get any easier with their next trip north classed as a home game when they host the ladder leaders.

The Broncos were comprehensively beaten by South Sydney with their second half efforts exposed in the past fortnight in a concern for coach Kevin Walters. 

Traditionally these two sides pile on the points against each other in Magic Round with the Broncos scoring a 38-0 win last year while in 2021 the Sea Eagles racked up a 50-6 scoreline against their opponents. 

Despite losses last week, both sides appear to have turned a corner in 2023 and will want to maintain their pace at the top of the table.

Sea Eagles team:

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Aaron Woods 18. Samuela Fainu 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Ben Condon

Mass changes for Anthony Seibold’s side. Jake Trbojevic (calf) is out with Sean Keppie to start up front for the home side. Brad Parker and Toluta’u Koula return from respective knee injuries in the centres, pushing Reuben Garrick to the wing, Christian Tuipulotu to the reserves and Morgan Harper out of the squad. Ben Trobjevic (hamstring) is back on the bench alongside Aaron Woods, who replaces Toafofoa Sipley after he accepted a three-match ban.

Broncos team:

1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Martin Taupau 18. Deine Mariner 19. Xavier Willison 20. Jock Madden 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Kobe Hetherington

Payne Haas and Ezra Mam are back from suspension in a boost for the competition leaders. That means Keenan Palasia moves back to the bench and Jock Madden to the reserves.

Referee: Gerard Sutton

Touch Judge: Dave Munro

Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond

Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Prediction.

Sea Eagles winger Reuben Garrick has scored five tries in his past five games at Suncorp Stadium.

Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored 13 tries in his past 12 games at Suncorp.

The Sea Eagles have won only one of their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos require 24 points for 20,000 points scored since entering the premiership in 1988.

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has lost two from two coaching against the Broncos.

At home in front of their fans, and with Payne Haas back, probably the best forward in the game at present, and with Carrigan assisting him up front, and speed out the back in Walsh and Cobbo ,along with the conductor Reynolds, I will go Broncos by 10 points.

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