Broncos v Cowboys preview

Embed from Getty Images

Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys Sunday 4:05pm at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Rivals make a day of it in all Queensland affair 

For the first time in 16 years, the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys will face off in daytime conditions in the latest chapter to one of rugby league's great modern rivalries.

Last clashing on a Sunday afternoon in the opening round of the 2006 season, where a 24-point haul from Johnathan Thurston propelled the Cowboys to a 36-4 win, this latest encounter boasts the potential to attract the largest regular season stand-alone crowd at Suncorp Stadium since the on-set of COVID-19.

Starting the season undefeated after two rounds, the Brisbane Broncos will be out to continue upholding their goal line, having conceded just 14 points over the opening fortnight, equalling the club's best defensive start to a year alongside the 1997 and 2016 sides.

Fighting back from a second-half deficit to finish over the top of the Bulldogs 16-10 in the final match of Round 2, coach Kevin Walters will be stressing the importance of capitalising on attacking opportunities after centre Kotoni Staggs squandered four-points for the taking last Sunday.

Winning three out of four daytime matches last season, new captain Adam Reynolds will lead out an unchanged line-up for his first appearance on home soil.

Bouncing back from an opening round loss with a strong reversal of form on home soil, the North Queensland Cowboys will need to overcome a horror run at Suncorp Stadium, having only won two of their previous 13 visits to the venue since 2013.

Claiming their first competition points of the season with a 26-6 win over Canberra last Saturday, coach Todd Payten will be hoping his side can dispel a poor record in daytime conditions following a single win from six fixtures in his first season at the helm.

Versatile forward Reuben Cotter comes into the side in place of injured forward Mitchell Dunn (ACL), while hooker Reece Robson is set to make his 50th appearance in first grade.

Contests between the two Queensland rivals have been evenly matched during the four matches held throughout the pandemic era with each side claiming wins in Brisbane and Townsville respectively

Last meeting: Round 20 2021 - Broncos 37 Cowboys 18

Who to watch: Regaining the Broncos number two jersey after a challenging run following Wayne Bennett's departure, long-serving winger Corey Oates will be aiming to keep the tries coming after becoming only the sixth Brisbane player to register a century of tries last Sunday. Entering his tenth season in first grade as the only member remaining from the side's last grand final appearance, the 27-year-old Maroons representative has offered plenty of impact with the ball averaging a try and 177 metres per game in 2022. Joining exclusive company alongside Steve Renouf, Darren Lockyer, Michael Hancock, Wendell Sailor and Allan Langer as a triple-figure try-scorer, Oates has enjoyed limited returns against the Cowboys over the year with six tries from 19 clashes.

Justifying his coach's show of faith with a run of impressive performances during the pre-season and early rounds, Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden will be out leave an impression against his former club. Beating out Scott Drinkwater for the right to partner Chad Townsend in the halves, the 21-year-old has been at the forefront of the side's much-improved form averaging a try assist, forced drop out and more than 100 running metres over the opening fortnight of the season. Thriving in the number six jersey after playing the bulk of his early career at halfback, look for Dearden to play with an attacking mindset in only his fifth NRL match held in daytime conditions.

The favourite: Eyeing off three straight victories to start a season for the first time since 2009, the Broncos are favoured to keep the wins coming on Sunday afternoon.

My tip: With both sides showing vast improvement from twelve months earlier, particularly in defence, Sunday shapes as a true test for where the long-standing rivals stand among the NRL hierarchy. In a match that could go either way, the home ground advantage could be enough to tip Brisbane over the edge. Broncos by 4.

1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Albert Kelly 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ryan James 15. Kobe Hetherington 17. Billy Walters 24. Corey Jensen 18. David Mead

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Griffin Neame 21. Brendan Elliot

Referees: Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Liam Kennedy, Michael Wise; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;