NRL Previews - Broncos v Cowboys (Round 1)

  vs  
11-03-2011 08:45PM at Suncorp Stadium

Referees: Shayne Hayne and Gerard Sutton
Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Gavin Morris
Video Referee: Tim Mander

Must be a welcome distraction to have Rugby League back in Queensland after the summer they have had. It must also be a welcome distraction for the Broncos to play football rather than worrying about who their coach for 2011 would be. So, with everyone is joyous rapture to be playing footy again, allow me to take this opportunity to say how happy I am that future Immortal Darren Lockyer is going round again. Speaking of Lockyer, reports suggest he is fitter than ever and this can only be dangerous for the Cowboys.

To win, the visitors will need Aaron Payne to find his form from a few years ago, they'll need Ray Thompson to play beyond his years in support of Johnathan Thurston and they will need to match the speed and enthusiasm of a Broncos backline whose average age must be around 14 (statistic not official). Until the Cowboys prove otherwise, punters will doubt they can do any of the above.

My Tip: Broncos 24-18

The Teams

Brisbane Broncos    North Queensland Cowboys
Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries B. Hannant J. Hodges	1. Josh Hoffman Fullback 1. Matt Bowen 2. Jharal Yow Yeh Wing 2. Ashley Graham 3. Gerard Beale Centre 3. Will Tupou 4. Jack Reed Centre 4. Willie Tonga 5. Dane Gagai Wing 5. Michael Bani 6. Darren Lockyer Five Eighth 6. Ray Thompson 7. Peter Wallace Halfback 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Sam Thaiday Prop 8. Matthew Scott 9. Andrew McCullough Hooker 9. Aaron Payne 10. Scott Anderson Prop 10. James Tamou 11. Alex Glenn Second Row 11. Scott Bolton 12. Matt Gillett Second Row 12. Glenn Hall 13. Corey Parker Lock 13. Dallas Johnson 14. Ben Hunt Interchange 14. Ben Jones 15. Ben Te'o Interchange 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Josh McGuire Interchange 16. Gavin Cooper 17. Shane Tronc Interchange 17. Ashton Sims	Suspensions D. Hogan Injuries A. Winterstein B. Tate

Head to Head

LeagueUnlimited Tipsters - Courtesy of www.MyTips.com.au

Other Games this Round

• Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sydney Football Stadium
• Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium
• New Zealand Warriors v Parramatta Eels at Eden Park, Auckland
• Gold Coast Titans v St George Illawarra Dragons at Skilled Park
• Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles at AAMI Park
• Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Canberra Stadium
• Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights at Centrebet Stadium Penrith
• Canterbury Bulldogs v Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium