Round 14: Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers
Suncorp Stadium - Monday June 17, NRL Kick-off 7pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 21 Brisbane 16, Wests Tigers 4, Drawn 1
AT SUNCORP STADIUM: Played 7 Brisbane 4, Wests Tigers 3
LAST TIME: Round 7, 2013 - Brisbane 20 defeated Wests Tigers 10 at Campbelltown Stadium.
BIGGEST HEAD TO HEAD WINS:
Wests Tigers 34 defeated Brisbane 6 at Allianz Stadium, 2005.
Brisbane 56 defeated Wests Tigers 12 at ANZ Stadium (Qld), 2000.
Benji Marshall v Scott Prince
They formed a premiership winning halves combination back in 2005 but old friends go head to head this Monday night at Suncorp Stadium. Both Benji Marshall and Scott Prince have plenty to play for with their respective sides eager to claw their way back into the top eight.
Marshall is both the top try-scorer (4 tries) and top point-scorer (46 points) in the Wests Tigers team and takes on the captaincy for the second successive week. With Robbie Farah out injured, Marshall led the Wests Tigers to a gutsy 20-18 victory over Penrith last week after trailing 18-8 at half-time. Sitting just four points out of the eight, the Wests Tigers will need Marshall to step up again this week as they look to put three consecutive wins together for the first time in 2013.
Broncos five-eighth Prince has enjoyed a similar season to Marshall, scoring 56 points including three tries and 22 goals. Prince had a solid game last week in Canberra, making 23 tackles and one line-break in the 30-18 loss. The former Cowboy, Tiger and Titan now forms an experienced halves pairing with Peter Wallace that will look to trouble the Wests Tigers defence with both players possessing a skilful kicking game.
Aaron Woods v Sam Thaiday
Aaron Woods could face Sam Thaiday at Suncorp Stadium twice in 10 days if all the talk surrounding his inclusion in the NSW Blues side is correct. While this game will not have a bearing on Woods selection (NSW side to be announced Sunday night), the hard-working prop will no doubt turn in another tough display.
Woods was again a standout last week against Penrith, making 46 tackles combined with 20 hit-ups for 202 metres. Only Woods, Joel Reddy, Adam Blair and Jack Buchanan have played all 12 matches for the Wests Tigers this year. With James Tamou ruled out of Origin, it opens the door for Woods, who will look to edge out fellow props Willie Mason and Tim Grant for the vacant spot.
Broncos skipper Thaiday will be desperate to lead his side to a win following three straight losses as they head into the bye next week. The Queenslander has averaged 39 tackles a game in 2013 and will be disappointed with last weeks effort where the Broncos trailed 24-0 early in the game against the Raiders. Look out for another big match from the Brisbane enforcer as he comes up against a youthful Wests Tigers pack.
Tim Simona v Justin Hodges
Tim Simona scored one of the best individual tries of 2013 against Penrith last weekend, racing 70 metres in what eventually proved to be the match-winner. The centre faces a tough task on Monday night, marking up against representative star Justin Hodges.
Easily his best game of 2013, Simona made 13 runs for 181 metres in the 20-18 victory over Penrith. Dangerous in attack, Simona possesses great footwork and speed that often troubles opposing centres. With Blake Ayshford returning from injury this week, the Wests Tigers backline will have plenty of strike on both sides of the park as they come up against a desperate Broncos side.
RE-LIVE SIMONAS TRY HERE
Hodges was a late inclusion to the side that played the Raiders last weekend and certainly made his mark on the match with 20 runs for 195 metres. With over 200 NRL games under his belt, Hodges experience is a major boost with youngster Jordan Kahu outside him on the wing. A key member of the Queensland Origin side, Hodges will be looking to get a win with the Broncos before he heads back into camp ahead of Game 2.
Suncorp Stadium - Monday June 17, NRL Kick-off 7pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 21 Brisbane 16, Wests Tigers 4, Drawn 1
AT SUNCORP STADIUM: Played 7 Brisbane 4, Wests Tigers 3
LAST TIME: Round 7, 2013 - Brisbane 20 defeated Wests Tigers 10 at Campbelltown Stadium.
BIGGEST HEAD TO HEAD WINS:
Wests Tigers 34 defeated Brisbane 6 at Allianz Stadium, 2005.
Brisbane 56 defeated Wests Tigers 12 at ANZ Stadium (Qld), 2000.
Benji Marshall v Scott Prince
They formed a premiership winning halves combination back in 2005 but old friends go head to head this Monday night at Suncorp Stadium. Both Benji Marshall and Scott Prince have plenty to play for with their respective sides eager to claw their way back into the top eight.
Marshall is both the top try-scorer (4 tries) and top point-scorer (46 points) in the Wests Tigers team and takes on the captaincy for the second successive week. With Robbie Farah out injured, Marshall led the Wests Tigers to a gutsy 20-18 victory over Penrith last week after trailing 18-8 at half-time. Sitting just four points out of the eight, the Wests Tigers will need Marshall to step up again this week as they look to put three consecutive wins together for the first time in 2013.
Broncos five-eighth Prince has enjoyed a similar season to Marshall, scoring 56 points including three tries and 22 goals. Prince had a solid game last week in Canberra, making 23 tackles and one line-break in the 30-18 loss. The former Cowboy, Tiger and Titan now forms an experienced halves pairing with Peter Wallace that will look to trouble the Wests Tigers defence with both players possessing a skilful kicking game.
Aaron Woods v Sam Thaiday
Aaron Woods could face Sam Thaiday at Suncorp Stadium twice in 10 days if all the talk surrounding his inclusion in the NSW Blues side is correct. While this game will not have a bearing on Woods selection (NSW side to be announced Sunday night), the hard-working prop will no doubt turn in another tough display.
Woods was again a standout last week against Penrith, making 46 tackles combined with 20 hit-ups for 202 metres. Only Woods, Joel Reddy, Adam Blair and Jack Buchanan have played all 12 matches for the Wests Tigers this year. With James Tamou ruled out of Origin, it opens the door for Woods, who will look to edge out fellow props Willie Mason and Tim Grant for the vacant spot.
Broncos skipper Thaiday will be desperate to lead his side to a win following three straight losses as they head into the bye next week. The Queenslander has averaged 39 tackles a game in 2013 and will be disappointed with last weeks effort where the Broncos trailed 24-0 early in the game against the Raiders. Look out for another big match from the Brisbane enforcer as he comes up against a youthful Wests Tigers pack.
Tim Simona v Justin Hodges
Tim Simona scored one of the best individual tries of 2013 against Penrith last weekend, racing 70 metres in what eventually proved to be the match-winner. The centre faces a tough task on Monday night, marking up against representative star Justin Hodges.
Easily his best game of 2013, Simona made 13 runs for 181 metres in the 20-18 victory over Penrith. Dangerous in attack, Simona possesses great footwork and speed that often troubles opposing centres. With Blake Ayshford returning from injury this week, the Wests Tigers backline will have plenty of strike on both sides of the park as they come up against a desperate Broncos side.
RE-LIVE SIMONAS TRY HERE
Hodges was a late inclusion to the side that played the Raiders last weekend and certainly made his mark on the match with 20 runs for 195 metres. With over 200 NRL games under his belt, Hodges experience is a major boost with youngster Jordan Kahu outside him on the wing. A key member of the Queensland Origin side, Hodges will be looking to get a win with the Broncos before he heads back into camp ahead of Game 2.
