The Brisbane Broncos have had five months to stew on the painful loss in the 2023 grand final, but will now get their first chance to atone for that defeat when they clash with the Sydney Roosters in the second game of the historic Las Vegas double header.
The Broncos have named a full-strength side for the clash, with exciting forward Xavier Willison on the bench, however The Courier Mail reported that the 21-year-old will make way for veteran Martin Taupau.
With that said, in the 24-hour update, Willison remained in the 17 with Taupau on an extended bench. Broncos coach Kevin Walters will whittle down his team to 18 an hour before kick off.
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It’s a new look Brisbane side to the one that lost to Penrith in last year’s decider.
Centre Herbie Farnworth and prop Tom Flegler moved on to the Dolphins, Kurt Capewell to the Warriors while Keenan Palasia is now a Gold Coast Titan.
Selwyn Cobbo shifts into the centres to replace Farnworth while Deine Mariner beat out Corey Oates for the vacant wing spot opposite Jesse Arthars.
Brendan Piakura has shaken off a knee issue to slot into Capewell’s back row position while the consistent Corey Jensen is the new starting prop.
The Roosters meanwhile, have been forced to make a late backline switch after Billy Smith was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
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Joseph Suaalii moves inside with Junior Pauga to start on the wing.
Roosters recruit Spencer Leniu will start in his first game with the new club.
The talented prop forward would come off the bench for the Panthers having been stuck behind James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota, but now gets his chance in the run on side.
The promising Siua Wong has been given first opportunity to start in the back row ahead of Nat Butcher, Angus Crichton and Naufahu Whyte.
Slow starts have plagued the Tricolours over the past few seasons, so coach Trent Robinson will be hopeful his side can build on the momentum they built at the back end of 2023.
The Roosters won seven of their last eight games to miraculously progress to the finals.
After beating Cronulla in Week 1 of the finals, the Roosters’ season ended after a heartbreaking loss to the Storm.
Robinson said on NRL 360 this week that the past four seasons haven’t been good enough for the Roosters, with a change in game style hoping to be what helps get his side back to the grand final for the first time since winning the comp in 2019.
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TEAMS
Brisbane Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Xavier Willison 18. Corey Oates 21. Martin Taupau
Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May 19. Angus Crichton 22. Connor Watson