Round 1 Match Previews (Broncos v Cowboys)

[Granty]

Rugby League Week

Suncorp Stadium - Sunday, March 12, 2.00 pm

HISTORY: Played 19; Brisbane 16, Cowboys 1; drawn 2. `

THIS GROUND: Played 1, Brisbane 1, Cowboys 0.

TRIAL RESULTS

Broncos - 10-58 v Storm at Toowoomba, 28-20 v Raiders at Port Macquarie, 36-4 v Cowboys at Rockhampton.

Cowboys - 42-0 v Souths at Mackay, 26-10 v Warriors at Cairns, 4-36 v Broncos at Rockhampton.

DESPITE their poor finish to season 2005 and some hiccups during the off-season, the Broncos will be hard to beat in their opening match against the Cowboys on Sunday. Brisbane have only lost one season-opener since joining the premiership in 1988.

The Broncos toppled North Queensland 29-16 when these teams met at Suncorp in round one last season and Brisbane followed up with a 23-6 victory at Dairy Farmers Stadium in round 10: The Broncos continue to dominate contests between the two Queensland outfits, winning 16 games to the Cowboys’ one, with two matches drawn, since 1995.

North Queensland have an atrocious record in Brisbane, losing nine and drawing one of 10 matches played there. The Broncos won nine of 12 matches at Suncorp last year, a sure indicator that the redeveloped venue now provides a significant home-ground advantage for Wayne Bennett's men.

Look to a Brisbane win at 1-12 in Margins betting and a low range in Total Match Points betting. Players to consider for First Tryscorer are Leon Bott, Karmichael Hunt and Justin Hodges for the Broncos or Matt Sing, Matt Bowen and Ty Williams for the Cowboys.

THE NUMBERS GAME

* Brisbane beat the Cowboys at home and away last season.
* The Cowboys scored the first try in five of their last six matches in 2005.
* The Broncos ended last season with seven consecutive losses,
* Brisbane had the third-best defensive record last season, conceding 20ppg.

TV: Nine 4.00pm, Fox One 6.00pm (AEDT)

[Granty]

Big League

Broncos v Cowboys

Suncorp Stadium
Sunday 2pm

The Broncos implemented big changes off the field during the off-season and there have also been key changes on-field with 2005 regulars Brad Thorn, Corey Parker and Leon Bott left out of the squad. The biggest question surrounding the Cowboys is how they will cover for forward leader Paul Rauhihi.

Form: The Broncos thumped the Cowboys 36-4 in a trial at Rockhampton a month ago but both sides were missing key personnel. The Cowboys overpowered the Warriors and Souths while the Broncos beat Canberra, but were crushed by the Storm 58-10.

History: The Cowboys have won only once in 19 clashes and they've never won in Brisbane.

Danger sign: Mismatch on the flanks. Brisbane's rookie wingers Darius Boyd (on debut) and Steve Michaels (three NRL games) up against Matt Sing and Ty Williams, who boast 342 games and over 200 tries between them.

Best Bet? The Cowboys are last year's grand finalists and $2.20 outsiders in head-to-head markets. Good value.

Money-spinner: Both sides have plenty going for them so this could be a fluctuating contest. Try the Cowboys/Broncos in the Halftime/Fulltime double.

[Granty]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=90559

TIPPING | By Wally Lewis

BRONCOS v COWBOYS, at SUNCORP STADIUM
2.00 pm ( 3.00 pm, SYDNEY TIME)

Queenslanders hating Queenslanders at Lang Park, now known as Suncorp Stadium? Is that a possibility ? Well, we'll see on Sunday. However, when the Broncos were knocked out of the competition by their Sunshine State mates, many claimed they weren't all that upset.

Then when the Cowboys were defeated in the Grand Final, I remember hearing some of their fans saying, "Oh well it doesn't matter, at least we made it to the big one".

Well if that is the case, many people have got to learn what it's like to win again, or really start losing consistently, and remember just how painful losses can be.

In Sunday's clash, we may see some changes to the Broncos game, with four players — Darius Boyd, Michael Ennis, Ben Hannant and Shane Perry — making their first-grade debuts for the club. Brisbane's kick chase game will have to be disciplined against two of the game's best ball returners ( Matt Bowen and Matt Sing), and while Carl Webb has been dropped to the Young Guns team, there are strong rumours that he'll be a late inclusion.

After leaving Palm Beach Currumbin High last year, Darius Boys will still be watching the chalk, with the 18-year-old former Australian Schoolboys representative carefully running down the sideline on the wing for the Broncos.

I'm backing the Broncos because of Michael Ennis. His skill, fitness, goal-kicking and determination to succeed in his first match for the club have been apparent since he joined.


WINNERS:
TIGERS
EELS
BULLDOGS
SEA EAGLES
STORM
ROOSTERS
BRONCOS

[Granty]

http://www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=preview&id=2096

Sportal.com.au

Broncos v Cowboys

VENUE & TIME: Suncorp Stadium, Sunday - 15:00 AEDT
COVERAGE: Channel 9, ABC Radio (QLD), 2GB
LAST TIME: Broncos 23 - Cowboys 6 at Dairy Farmers Stadium, round 10, 2005

WALKING WOUNDED

The Broncos will be without centre Brent Tate (foot), forward Sam Thaiday (groin), hooker Barry Berrigan and lock Tonie Carroll (hamstring) for this much-anticipated QLD derby, but skipper Darren Lockyer has overcome a nagging foot problem and will take the field. Several other players who missed the trials, including Shaun Berrigan and Justin Hodges will also take their places.

For the Cowboys, winger Brenton Bowen is in doubt with a shoulder injury. Origin forward Carl Webb has been overlooked for selection and will play for the Young Guns in the QLD Cup. A leg strain has prevented him from training over the past week.

FORM

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett chose to field mainly under-strength teams for the trials so the club's form has been hard to gauge. But the 48-point drubbing at the hands of the Storm didn't impress the coach one iota and a couple of high profile forwards have been demoted as a result.

The Cowboys look solid leading into the premiership with comfortable trial wins over the Warriors and Souths. The loss of forward leader Paul Rauhihi to England will obviously affect their power up the middle, but they have several capable players ready to fill the void.

WHO'S HOT

Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen looks set for another fine season after scoring four tries in the club's most recent trial against Souths. His ability to either strike from the back or create chances in the front line will ensure the Cowboys are once again an attacking force to be reckoned with.

WHO'S NOT

The 2006 season has started poorly for Broncos' forward duo Brad Thorn and Corey Parker with coach Bennett ordering both players back to the QLD Cup to kick off the year. Thorn, however, may get a reprieve with Carroll pulling out.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Darren Lockyer v Jonathan Thurston
Aaron Payne v Michael Ennis
Karmichael Hunt v Matty Bowen

LIKE TO SEE

The Broncos play more laterally instead of employing the simple tactic of big men taking it up the middle then throwing the ball to Lockyer. Bennett tried this method in 2005 and it failed spectacularly at the back end of the season as sides with greater attacking initiative took full advantage.

WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE

Karmichael Hunt used soley as a fullback. Bennett gave him a taste of the halves in the trials and he performed well. Hopefully the coach won't forget this if plan A fails.

WE THINK

The Cowboys have never won against the Broncos in Brisbane, but that will mean little on Sunday when they confront a Brisbane side still reeling from last year's woeful end to the season. There are also question marks over Lockyer's foot injury and state of mind, plus the impact of a few inexperienced players selected in the 17-man squad. Bowen and Thurston to dominate. Cowboys by 12.