Matchday Details
Friday 1 August – 8:00pm (AEST) – Suncorp Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Peter Gough | Bunker: Grant Atkins
Broncos
1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Jesse Arthars 20. Ben Talty 21. Josiah Karapani 22. Jaiyden Hunt
Rabbitohs
1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Ryan Gray 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jacob Host 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Siliva Havili 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Thomas Fletcher 17. Ashton Ward 18. Peter Mamouzelos 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Tyrone Munro 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Salesi Ataata
Match Preview
The second game of Friday night footy for round 22 kicks off at Suncorp Stadium, with the Broncos hosting the Rabbitohs. The Broncos are coming off a heartbreaking 22-20 loss to the Eels last week, while the Rabbitohs were courageous in defeat as they went down to the Sharks 14-12 in Gosford.
Sitting in sixth position, the Broncos need wins to keep their spot in the top eight secure. Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs are in 17th and fighting to avoid the wooden spoon. The recent head-to-head record between the two sides is evenly split. The Rabbitohs hold the slight advantage, winning six of the past 10 match-ups.
For the Broncos, coach Michael Maguire has swung the axe after the loss last week, dropping both wingers Jesse Arthars and Josiah Karapani. Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner have been recalled to replace them. The rest of the Broncos squad remains unchanged.
A disappointing result for the Broncos last week has left a sour taste in their mouths. A game they were favourites to win against the Eels ended up slipping away. Their second consecutive game at Suncorp Stadium, expect to see a bounce back performance from a playing group that is on notice.
Adding extra motivation to the clash is a milestone for Ben Hunt, who will play his 200th game for the Broncos. Adam Reynolds is also just four points away from 2,500 career points. These two milestone men hold the keys to how the Broncos will execute their attack. With the Rabbitohs forward pack decimated with injury, expect the likes of Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan to lay a solid platform for these two playmakers to set-up plenty of points.
For the Rabbitohs, Jack Wighton was initially named at five-eighth, however he has been suspended for four matches after failing to have his Grade 2 shoulder charge overturned at the judiciary. He’ll drop out of the 17, with Lewis Dodd the likely replacement. Tyrone Munro is dropped to the reserves, with Bayleigh Bentley-Hape returning from injury to replace him on the wing. Jamie Humphreys returns at halfback after missing last week due to concussion. Tevita Tatola is out with a shoulder injury, with Jai Arrow moving to prop, and Jacob Host moving from the bench to the second row. Thomas Fletcher joins the bench to round out the 17.
Despite the sheer amount of injuries the Rabbitohs continue to rack up, Wayne Bennett is still finding ways to keep his side hanging in tough. Given no chance against the Sharks, they came within two points of causing an upset. Jye Gray’s return to the side was a huge inclusion to their defensive organisation. He’ll continue to build his confidence back after leading the Dally M count earlier this season.
The problem for Gray and the Rabbitohs will come in the forward battle. While their defence was solid last week, with Wighton missing from the halves, their fragile edge defence may rear its ugly head again. Especially against a Broncos side who will be in a point-scoring mood at home. Alex Johnston remains five tries away from equaling Ken Irvine’s try-scoring record of 212, so they still have something to play for, even if the finals are out of reach.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Broncos by 18
See our full Round 22 Predictions here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 22 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
Related Links
- Round 22 Late Mail
- 2025 NRL Round 21 Injury List
- Power Rankings – Round 21
