Roosters v Broncos: Leniu suspended; Staggs sidelined
The Roosters will be aiming to defy their doubters when they host a new-look Brisbane outfit to launch their season.
Trent Robinson has lost a host of experience in the off-season across both the forwards and the backs, headlined by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and half Luke Keary’s move to the Super League.
Their depth to start the season has also been severely tested with long-term injuries to Sam Walker and Brandon Smith and the two-game suspension handed to Spencer Leniu for a high shot in the trial against Newcastle.
For the Broncos however, what’s old is new again with the signing of Ben Hunt, who has returned to the club keen to make an instant impact.
Starting the year in the halves alongside skipper Adam Reynolds, the duo will be the oldest halves pairing in the competition, but showed they are still plenty quick between the ears after combining well to help Brisbane earn back-to-back Pre-Season Challenge titles in their final round win against the Bulldogs.
Star centre Kotoni Staggs (quad) is set to miss at least the first month of the season so Gehamat Shibasaki could be in line for a return to NRL action after playing just top-grade for Souths last year.
Stat Attack
- Sydney Roosters forward Nat Butcher will make his 150th NRL appearance in the clash with Brisbane at Allianz Stadium.
- The Roosters have won five of their past six games against the Broncos.
- The Broncos will play at the new Allianz Stadium for the first time.
- Roosters forward Nat Butcher will make his 150th NRL appearance.
- Brisbane centre Deine Mariner has scored six tries in his past four games in Sydney.
- Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton has scored six tries in his past five games against the Broncos.
