As the Broncos ride to face the Tigers, the cavalry arrives.
Brisbane had defeated the Raiders 34-10 last week and the Dolphins 34-10 the week before, both of which were impressive victories. They prevailed in those games in the absence of Payne Haas, Deine Mariner, Adam Reynolds, and Brendan Piakura—all of whom are scheduled to return this week. They are not, however, at full strength since the squad has chosen to rest Selwyn Cobbo and Ezra Mam in order to allow them recover from minor ailments, as has been the norm this season.
The Tigers, who appeared to be clicking at Easter, suffered their third straight loss last week despite a creditable 22-6 loss to Penrith in Bathurst. To exacerbate matters, Solomon Alaimolo has been selected to make his NRL debut as Junior Tupou is probably going to be sidelined for a considerable amount of time due to a foot injury.
Brisbane has a distinct advantage when it comes to statistics. They entered the “Danger Zone” after their victory last week, and they currently have a top 8 attack and defense. The Tigers’ attack ranks just 15th in the NRL, while their defense is barely over that threshold. And failing to fight fire with fire is a big disadvantage when facing a team like the Broncos, who can score from almost anywhere on the field.
Who to watch: Adam Reynolds, the Broncos’ captain and halfback, who is returning from a two-week layoff due to a hamstring injury, will be by far the most crucial player. Both their excellence in the two games he missed and his control over the team seem nearly miraculous. His kicking ability will be crucial as the Broncos attempt to capitalize on their advantages in all areas.
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