Finals Match-ups: Broncos v Roosters

Rick is back to take a look at some of the key match-ups ahead of Friday's first preliminary final between the Roosters and Broncos.

DARIUS BOYD v ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK

The ball-playing cool head of Darius up against the spark of running Roger.

When the prized signing of Darius Boyd was announced for a return to Red Hill this year, a lot of people were wondering if his successful relationship with long time mentor Wayne Bennett was past it's use by date. Boyd was quick to put any such doubts to bed in his first few games back in Broncos colours. Slipping straight back into his custodian role, Boyd added another dimension to the Broncos attack, especially when they got into their opposition's red zone. A new found attitude off the field has only enhanced his reputation as a smooth operator on it. His ability to chime into a backline movement and set up his outside backs is probably the best in the league. Look for him to mix it up on Friday night though. The Roosters goal-line defence is strong and they will likely be ready for Boyd's sweep play, so look for him to take the line on at times to keep them guessing.

After another strong showing against the Bulldogs last Friday night with a try to reward his efforts of another 262 running metres and seven tackle busts, it's pretty clear the pressure of finals footy isn't about to slow him down. In fact slowing him down probably isn't possible. Limiting his damage and mileage will be the Broncos only chance. They will need to be working over-time to get extra numbers at the point of impact or his forwards will be charging over the advantage line on the back of him. Even if they manage that, they will have to negate his attacking skills inside the red zone. With 12 tries and 14 try assists in 26 games, Tuivasa-Sheck is providing his team with at least one meat pie per game.

WHO HAS THE EDGE? For all his plaudits about his running game, Tuivasa-Sheck is actually shading arguably the best ball playing fullback in Boyd for try and line-break assists per game. This only enhances the advantage he gives his team considering he's running an average of 90 metres per game more and busting tackles at will.

JUSTIN HODGES v MICHAEL JENNINGS

Origin foes go head to head in another big match battle.

In what will be officially his last game of Rugby League on his beloved Suncorp Stadium turf, you can expect the wily old Justin Hodges to be at his scheming, cunning best. Now within just 80 minutes of a fairy tale Grand Final finish to what has been a glittering career, the occasion won't be lost on this big match veteran. With countless Origins, Test Matches and finals appearances including a premiership with each of these clubs, Hodges knows what it takes to get the job done. Even with his weary legs going nowhere near the speed they once did, no one can come up with a better dummy half run when his team needs it most and given the room to move can still manufacture a two on one as good as any centre in the game. Defensively, he'll need to lift for this one though. In Origin two this year, his opposite gave him a night to forget, a fact that won't be lost on Hodges heading into this one. In a game that will likely go down to the wire, look for Hodges to have a roving roll in the dying stages where he could pop up on either side of the field to catch the Roosters napping.

As was seen in his man of the match performance in Origin two this year, when Jet boots Jennings is on his game, there's no better attacking centre out there. He gave Hodges a bath that night and is the man capable of bringing the fairy tale ride of Hodges to a grinding halt. Blessed with speed and footwork the envy of many great centres, he's also deceptively strong and possesses a handy late palm that shouldn't be underestimated. His combination with James Maloney and Daniel Tupou down the Roosters left edge has been potent throughout the season and will be a major play again in the Roosters chances here. The Broncos will need to be careful not to switch off on the inside when the ball is shifted past them with Jennings proving on many occasions he can be just as dangerous when drifting back to the middle when there's nothing on out wide, often finding the smallest of gaps to accelerate through.

WHO HAS THE EDGE? In front of a packed Suncorp Stadium,it's hard not to see the Hodges fairy tale show roll on. But if you're talking purely football ability, then in an open fast paced game, Jennings is the man you'd want at your disposal when the whips are cracking.

SAM THAIDAY v SAM MOA

The heart of their respective packs looking to get their side on the front foot.

One of only a few survivors left from the Broncos last Premiership in 2006, Thaiday will be more than aware how rare these opportunities are in the modern game. Since being benched and challenged by Wayne Bennett early in the year to prove his worth to the club moving forward, the cult hero of Red Hill has had a stellar season. Running hard and low to the ground, the mandate has been clear to get his team off to a strong start to their sets, provide the initial punch in the defensively line and earn a quick play the ball. Thaiday's never been afraid to back down from a challenge, which was never clearer than when he took on arguably the scariest enforcer in the game in Jared Warea-Hargreaves in a head on battle earlier in the year. It's a pity we won't see another rematch this time round, but his battle with Sam Moa will go a long way to deciding this contest.

When Willie Mason stated a couple of weeks ago that he dreaded tackling Sam Moa more than Jared Warea-Hargreaves, it probably said it all about the stocky Roosters prop. Also charged with providing his team's initial punch, Moa gives his fellow Roosters forwards the chance to run into an already wounded defensive line. Nobody runs harder and without fear quite like this Roosters bookend and he's also deceptively quick across the ground which generates even more power when he's charging into the opposition. The fact that he's so hard to bring to ground means Moa is often given the chance to turn and offload which he is more than capable of too.

WHO HAS THE EDGE? Neither man knows how to take a backward step and will get the job of surging forward and getting a quick play the ball done admirably. The only glaring difference here is Moa's 25 offloads for the year compared to Thaiday's 1. It's a stat more reflective on their coach's game plan, but the added metres the second phase play creates will give the Roosters more attacking chances.

ANDREW McCULLOUGH v JAKE FRIEND

Just who is heir apparent to Cameron Smith's crown?

Probably the closest to Cameron Smith's style of dummy half work in the game is the Bronco's rake McCullough. Cool, calm and collected at all times is a rare trait to have in this game and one that will be tested more than ever in the biggest game of his young career so far. His vision for a young man in such an important position is exceptional, taking the right option in attack the majority of the time. Not afraid of doing the hard yards, McCullough rarely racks up a tackle count less than 40 and often hits in excess of 50. He also possesses a strong and selective kicking game, often stepping out of dummy half and turning his opposition around with a kick to the corner, turning the momentum of a contest. Doesn't run all that much, but has been known to sneak a try burrowing low from inside his opponents ten at times, something he could look to catch some tiring Roosters forwards napping with late in the match.

An integral part of the Roosters success in recent years has been the smarts of their co-captain out of dummy half. A real competitor, Friend has all the skills of a great number nine. Tough and not afraid to take some of the biggest men in the game on with his fearless defence, he can get through plenty of work when called upon. His decision making under pressure has come up trumps in some big finals games and that sees his side attacking the right parts of the field more often than not. Friend has a real knack from the 30-40 metre range of earning his side a repeat set with some perfectly weighted kicks. His running game is always a constant threat and his competitiveness ensures he's a great support player, always backing up when a break is made.

WHO HAS THE EDGE? Very hard to split these two. If anything it's McCullough's long kicking game. Don't be surprised to see him come up with a big 40/20 late in the match to turn the momentum of the contest.

BEN HUNT v MITCHELL PEARCE

Two halves that can tear it open with their running games.

After a breakout season last year where he made the much heralded Broncos number seven jersey his own, the big question was whether Hunt would back it up again this year. If anything, he's only gotten better, leading his team to their best finish to a season in many years. The biggest improvement in his game has been his long kicking game and he now leads the comp for kick metres, average a whopping 439 per match. He also possesses a solid short kicking game with his neat grubbers forcing plenty of repeat sets. Hunt's passing game can be underrated at times, his ability to play late with soft hands or throw a long bullet pass is outstanding. His biggest threat is still his running game though. A neat right foot step, along with his dummy and ultra-competitiveness to break a tackle make him a constant threat. His 40m solo try in golden point against the Roosters earlier in the year will be on the highlight reels for years to come and he could well be the man to pull their pants down again.

The most talked about hamstring in Rugby League has been given the green light and will be put to the test against ironically, the team that it gave way against. After another failed Origin campaign, Pearce was again showing his worth as an outstanding club player prior to his injury. As good as Jackson Hastings has been deputising for Pearce, the Roosters are a different team with Pearce in the number seven. His long and accurate kicking game have been missed as well as his ability to fire a quick long ball out to his outside men. Overall, the chooks are a much faster outfit with Pearce's up-tempo style of footy. Defensively, he reads the play well and is amongst the better halves in the game technically. At his best, Pearce is more than capable of slicing through defensive lines with a sharp right foot step and natural speed. Whether his hamstring is strong enough to hit full throttle and if he has the confidence when the opportunity arises to fully stretch out remains to be seen.

WHO HAS THE EDGE? Hunt is heading Pearce in all the key attacking stats this year. His running game, coupled with his strength and competitiveness have him playing at another level and if he handles the pressure of such a big occasion, the game will be his for the taking.