NRL Round 22 Preview and Prediction - Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos @ CBUS Super Stadium
Gold Coast Titans (12th) v Brisbane Broncos (4th) @ CBUS Super Stadium
Preview - We get a rare all Queensland derby here as the struggling Titans host their neighbours, the Broncos, at CBUS Super Stadium on Saturday night. The Titans’ slim final’s hopes were put to bed last week as they put in a shocking performance in losing 26-4 to the 15th placed Wests Tigers at home. The Titans racked up a staggering 15 errors in a game they will want to forget quickly, in a season that has been a huge let down after making the finals last season. The Broncos are holding on to their Top 4 hopes by a thread after a disappointing 22-14 loss to the Eels at ANZ Stadium last Friday night. The Broncos came out of the blocks at breakneck speed, leading 12-0 inside 10 minutes, before managing just a penalty goal for the rest of the game as they slumped to a 22-14 defeat.
History - The Broncos have dominated the Titans since the Titans inception with Brisbane winning 17 from 22 overall. However earlier this season the Titans were desperately unlucky to lose to the Broncos 26-22 courtesy of a try to James Roberts right at the death. Last season the sides met in Week 1 of the finals with the Broncos winning another high scoring encounter 44-28.
Gold Coast Titans’ Scouting Report - The Titans welcome back a couple of key inclusions to the side that was so disappointing against the Tigers last week at home. Kane Elgey is elevated from the interchange bench into a starting role in the halves, while back rower Kevin Proctor will add some much needed punch to a Titans’ pack that really struggled last week. Jarryd Hayne has been named at fullback after starting last week’s game in the centres.
Brisbane Broncos’ Scouting Report - The Broncos have been forced into a major reshuffle with Andrew McCullough ruled out for the season with a knee injury. Ben Hunt continues his topsy-turvy season having been named at starting hooker, looking to full the big hole left by the reliable and consistent McCullough. Kodi Nikorima wins the battle with Benji Marshall to start in the halves alongside Anthony Milford. With Corey Oates not yet fit to return, David Mead starts on the wing ahead of Jonus Pearson.
Preview - Broncos by 10-20 in a high scoring game
Hard to see the Broncos dropping another game as favourites here, especially after they were given a real wake-up call by the Eels last week. The Titans could not possibly play as poorly as they did against the Tigers so I expect some sort of reaction from them this week in a derby game at home. However, I just think the Titans have very little to play for now, and some of their players are going through the motions, so I expect the Broncos to win this game fairly comfortably to hold on to their Top 4 spot. Usually when these two teams clash it’s a try fest, and I'm not expecting too much different this time around on a fast surface on the Gold Coast. I think the Titans might be capable of scoring 3 tries, but I expect the Broncos to score 5-6 to bounce back and keep themselves in the Top 4, with 4 rounds remaining.