PRE-GAME Round 9 - Sharks vs Broncos

[Cult]

I'm not as worried as you guys seem to be. This isn't even our hardest game of the season (we won that game against the Cowboys earlier in the season), but it is their hardest game so far. I'm excited to see us play a day game. It's a pity rain is forecast because I'd love to watch us run around on a dry track.

 

[bazza]

I think the confidence Bennett is able to pass on to players, especially depth players such as Waddell by backing him and publicly speaking the way he has about him, can take them from being just your average journeyman to a player that is able to play above expectation and can be someone you can rely on and call upon to get the job done.

Bennett has had a load of these types of players making up a lot of his rosters, and its comes as no surprise when these players perform as well as they do when they come in to the team. I think Waddell will have a strong game without doing anything flashy or individually brilliant. He'll make his fair share of tackles, he'll provide good service, he'll bring the forwards on to the ball and that's all that he's really required to do.

On a side note, I'm dumbfounded by the amount of people on here backing the Sharks in this game... Geez people have a little faith, fair dinkum.

 

[talanoa]

Travis was considered by many to be one of the worst signings in Broncos history. Will that reputation stick on Sunday?

He has six games to make his mark.

he has been really good at souths this year, i think he may surprise a few people this weekend. he probably has a bit more zip from dummy half than mcculloch so hopefully we get to see a bit of that. he also has a very good first point of contact in defense as well, which will be needed against mud guts fifita and gallen.

 

[LittleDavey]

I think the confidence Bennett is able to pass on to players, especially depth players such as Waddell by backing him and publicly speaking the way he has about him, can take them from being just your average journeyman to a player that is able to play above expectation and can be someone you can rely on and call upon to get the job done.

Bennett has had a load of these types of players making up a lot of his rosters, and its comes as no surprise when these players perform as well as they do when they come in to the team. I think Waddell will have a strong game without doing anything flashy or individually brilliant. He'll make his fair share of tackles, he'll provide good service, he'll bring the forwards on to the ball and that's all that he's really required to do.

Bennett and Bellamy are the masters at this.

 

[Foordy]

The Broncos website team update has Ese'ese added to the bench. Thaiday starting. Nikorima starting and Waddell on the bench.

Team Update - Ese'ese Back In - Broncos

 

[jarro65]

You'd have to expect Waddell to start and absorb the initial impact, Nikorima to come on later to play his usual role.

 

[Foordy]

You'd have to expect Waddell to start and absorb the initial impact, Nikorima to come on later to play his usual role.

although Bennett isn't like Green or Robinson, where he doesn't play mind games with team selection. His team usually runs out as named.

I personally want to see how Nikorima handles the start of the game and how he asorbs that initial impact

 

[Super Freak]

Parker flattened Wallace at training.

I think it was Wallace. It looked like him.

 

[Tunza's Chin]

although Bennett isn't like Green or Robinson, where he doesn't play mind games with team selection. His team usually runs out as named.

I personally want to see how Nikorima handles the start of the game and how he asorbs that initial impact

Plus what Bennett was saying about developing Kodi this year and the contract talks may have influenced his decision. I'm not sure... But Kodi's path to the starting team does look a little clearer if he's in the 13 after the first 6/7/9 injury.

 

[sus]

I'm not as worried as you guys seem to be. This isn't even our hardest game of the season (we won that game against the Cowboys earlier in the season), but it is their hardest game so far. I'm excited to see us play a day game. It's a pity rain is forecast because I'd love to watch us run around on a dry track.

gee dunno mate, we played a first run parra away minus foran and half of norman, panthers done us away, pipped cowboys at home.. they bettered the panthers but at home, pulled a job on the raiders, done the storm, stayed within a try of the cowboys at 1300smiles. bar their slip up against manly and sketchys over the tigers and titans id say theyve done better looking better in harder circumstances than us.

massive test tmrw with the injuries and conspir.. cough, errm legitimate suspension.

of course the prize isnt handed out in april.. great opportunity for benny to run the ruler over some of the cast without 2 of our mainstays and an international 2nd rower. thats said last test on the road we failed with probably our 3rd worst half of footy behind each 40mins against the dragons lol

should make for a bit of good viewing, got faith in some good efforts, but blind faith for a result in a possible actual contest.. id rather yous just got me a bottle of XXXX

 

[Super Freak]

BRISBANE coach Wayne Bennett has labelled Michael Ennis a “pest” and warned Broncos players not to be baited into a brain explosion in today’s blockbuster against the Sharks.

Sharks veteran Ennis is renowned for his niggling tactics and is certain to sledge a depleted Broncos pack missing key duo Adam Blair (suspension) and Andrew McCullough (knee).

The Broncos received a major boost yesterday, with Kiwi Test back-rower Alex Glenn (hip) cleared to play after training strongly at Red Hill.

In the absence of Blair, Bennett will pitchfork Sam Thaiday into the engine room, while Travis Waddell is tipped to start at hooker ahead of Kodi Nikorima to absorb the early exchanges.

But Bennett is wary of the Ennis the Menace and has instructed Broncos players not to buy into a sledging war before an expected sellout crowd at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

“Mick will annoy everybody, that’s just what he does,” Bennett said.

“Our guys know what is coming their way.

“Mick has always been talented, it is quite inspirational what he does. He is always doing his best but we know he will be a pest at different stages.”

The Broncos are one of the few clubs with a winning record on Sharks soil. The ladder leaders are unbeaten in seven years at Cronulla’s home ground, having won their last three games there, including a grinding 10-2 road victory last season.

Rookie 108kg prop Herman Ese’ese retains his place on the bench after his debut against Souths last week and Bennett backed Waddell, a veteran of 73 NRL games, to hold his own against Ennis.

“Travis is a wonderful guy,” he said. “He does everything right at the club here, he has been committed and everything you need from your players.

“I had him at Newcastle with me and he was good for me there and I expect him to be good against the Sharks.

“It’s a good challenge full stop. They are playing pretty good football, they are in the top four and will be keen to get to us playing on their home ground.

“We will miss ‘Macca’ (McCullough) but it gives the other guys an opportunity.”

Bennett yesterday stood by his decision to block his star pivot Anthony Milford playing for Samoa, taking aim at the code’s eligibility rules.

“The international rules are pretty rubbery and while they remain rubbery there will always be moments like this where players are eligible to play but won’t be included in teams because of clubs’ positions,” he said.

“The point with Anthony is that he wants to play for Queensland and Australia, that’s his decision. It’s not injury holding him back.”

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s/news-story/c51927bd7d9d797d7e71f4ba3074bce5