Brisbane V North Queensland Preview

Rugby League

Brisbane v North Queensland Preview

Crunch Sports Staff – 10 Mar 2021

The Broncos may be popular favourites to account for North Queensland in the Queensland derby at Suncorp Stadium but injuries to Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant could seriously tilt the balance in the direction of the Cowboys.
Hodges was expected back from his achilles injury but suffered a hamstring strain in the Broncos’ final trial match while Hannant has been laid low with a calf injury.
The unexpected setbacks have forced the hand of new coach Anthony Griffin at the selection table, with unheralded rookie Jack Reed named as Hodges’ replacement, while Test second-rower Sam Thaiday will make a rare starting appearance in the front row.
Reed will have his work cut-out containing the light-footed Willie Tonga on the Broncos’ right-side. The Cowboys’ left-side attack was one of their only redeeming attributes in 2010 and when Johnathan Thurston combined with Tonga or the hard-running back-rower Scott Bolton, opposing defences invariably had their hands full.
The composure of skipper Darren Lockyer in front of a huge Suncorp crowd could help the Broncos settle early and collect a try as First Scoring Play but consider a Broncos/Cowboys or Cowboys/Broncos outcome in the Half/Full Double.
Best hopes for First Tryscorer are Josh Hoffman, Jharal Yow Yeh or Gerard Beale for the Broncos or Matt Bowen or Willie Tonga for the Cowboys.
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