Match Preview

Despite defending bravely in a 15-4 loss to premiers Penrith last week, Brisbane lacked direction in attack without injured No.7 Adam Reynolds. 

The bye last week was timely for the Warriors given their extensive injury toll, while a 24-12 win over the Bulldogs in Round 11, which snapped a three-game losing streak, will have ensured spirits were high heading into their time off.

This will be the first time either side has played at McLean Park in Napier, with the 2015 clash between Melbourne and St George Illawarra being the only previous NRL game at the venue. 

The Eels and Cowboys sit 13th and 14th coming in to Round 13 but they're worlds apart in terms of confidence and self-belief after the events of last weekend.

On Saturday night the Cowboys conceded 66 points in a match for just the third time in their 28-year history and they now have the worst defensive record in the competition, a world apart from the structure and standards that carried them all the way to a preliminary final in 2022.

Brisbane's top spot on the ladder has been overtaken by the Rabbitohs after their loss to Melbourne at AAMI Park but Kevin Walters' side will be buoyed by the performance despite coming home empty-handed. 

The Broncos return to Suncorp Stadium for the eighth time in 12 matches this year and will want to make a statement of their own by knocking off the defending champions twice in a season after the Round 1 clash earlier this year.

Melbourne have shown signs of their being at their ruthless best in 2023 but the inconsistencies of their performances is a concern for Craig Bellamy, who conceded following the Bunnies defeat that they weren't learning from losses.

The Broncos have been the form team in 2023 with eight wins from 10 starts but face their toughest road trip yet in just their third time leaving Queensland this year. 

The Roosters have found form over the past fortnight after an up-and-down start to the season and will have taken plenty of confidence from holding the Warriors scoreless last week, with their goal-line defence and ability to soak up prolonged periods without the ball standing out in the 14-0 win. 

The Cowboys did neither of those things well against the in-form Sharks last week and have been further rocked by suspension and injury ahead of their trip to Suncorp Stadium.

The drought-breaking win over defending premiers Penrith sets up a chance to chase back-to-back wins for the joint venture - a feat not achieved by the club for over 12 months. 

St George Illawarra have dropped their past four games by a total of 11 points, indicating while they're not getting the victories Anthony Griffin and his side need, they're certainly not being blown off the park. 

Dragons captain Ben Hunt will share the dummy half duties with Moses Mbye after former Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle was dropped.

Adam O'Brien's men face a long road trip to Townsville after a Nathan Cleary field goal broke their hearts last Saturday but the expected return of skipper Kalyn Ponga should be enough to put the spring back in their step at Newcastle this week. 

Meanwhile, the Cowboys will be hoping to make amends with their faithful after losing to the Dolphins at home in Round 6.

Coming off heavy back-to-back losses and with injuries hitting hard, the Bulldogs will have their depth tested as well as their resolve when they face an enigmatic Cronulla side still searching for back-to-back wins.

With Jacob Kiraz's MCL injury and Viliame Kikau's training mishap the latest blows to hit the Bulldogs they'll need co-captains Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton and forward leader Tevita Pangai jnr to stand tall if they are to return to the winners' list.

With Dally M leaders Reece Walsh and Payne Haas in rare form and Adam Reynolds marshalling his troops magnificently, the Broncos boast a 6-1 record on the back of the NRL's slickest attack.

The Eels, meanwhile, look to be hitting top gear on the back of wins over Wests Tigers and Bulldogs but Brad Arthur is well aware a much sterner test awaits in the shape of the Broncos.

A key area the Rabbitohs will need to improve if they are to take down the premiers is their completion rate, which was down at 68 per cent (24 of 35 sets) that night, making their task extremely tough.

The fact they stayed in the fight and had a chance to draw level in the dying minutes is cause for optimism heading into a game on their own turf and coming off two big wins over the Bulldogs and Dolphins.