Wests Tigers vs Brisbane Broncos Preview
Wests Tigers have made a sensational start to the year and that can continue by taking down the Broncos. Brisbane are hit by injuries and I'm backing the Tigers to win and cover a -4.5 handicap.
- Tigers are ranked No. 2 in defence, conceding 18.1 points per game this season
- Tigers have kept opposition teams to Under 22.5 points in all five games this season
- Tigers have won four of their five games this season, with three coming by 18+ points
- Broncos have lost 11 of their last 14 games without Reece Walsh
- Jahream Bula has scored four tries in his last three games
- Kotoni Staggs has scored six tries in his last five games
Tigers vs Broncos Head To Head
Broncos have won the last three meetings by 13+ margins, but this is obviously a very different Tigers side in 2026.
Wests Tigers In Flying Form
Currently sitting second on the ladder and equal on points with the Panthers at the top, it's been a dream start to the season for the Tigers.
After edging out Parramatta in a thrilling Easter Monday golden point showdown, the Tigers backed up with a dominant 42-22 victory over the in-form Knights, with Sunia Turuva scoring a hat-trick and Bula crossing for a double.
Benji Ball is thriving and the Tigers look the real deal this season. Yes, they started last season brightly before fading, but this feels different.
Kai Pearce-Paul has been one of the signings of the season, while Jahream Bula is propelling himself into the upper echelons of fullbacks.
After edging out Parramatta in a thrilling Easter Monday golden point showdown, the Tigers backed up with a dominant 42-22 victory over the in-form Knights, with Sunia Turuva scoring a hat-trick and Bula crossing for a double.
Wests Tigers Team List
Huge in for the Tigers as Jarome Luai makes his return from injury, pushing Jock Madden to No. 14.
Reserves
Taylan May also returns in the backline, with Jeral Skelton making way.
Wests Tigers Team List
1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Taylan May
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Heamasi Makasini
6. Jarome Luai
7. Adam Doueihi
8. Terrell May
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Alex Twal
Interchange
14. Jock Madden
15. Sione Fainu
16. Royce Hunt
17. Alex Seyfarth
Reserves
18. Latu Fainu
19. Luke Laulilii
20. Bunty Afoa
21. Tony Sukkar
22. Tristan Hope
Brisbane Broncos Hit By Injuries
After a tough start to the season, the Broncos picked things back up with three consecutive victories over the Storm, Dolphins and Titans.
However, you look at those three teams in hindsight and they are probably in the bottom four on current form, so the Broncos still have a point to prove going forward.
That job obviously gets a whole lot tougher without Reece Walsh, who is still out for the next few weeks, while Carrigan and Hunt are also sidelined.
Brisbane still managed to pile on the points against the Cowboys, but their defence wasn't up to scratch and they conceded a late try to go down 35-31.
Brisbane Broncos Team News
Adam Reynolds returns from injury, pushing Thomas Duffy back to the interchange.
Reserves
Josh Rogers is the new hooker in place of Ben Hunt. Xavier Willison comes into the starting side for the suspended Pat Carrigan, while Cory Paix has also been ruled out.
Jack Gosiewski and Jaiyden Hunt are the new names on the six-man bench.
Brisbane Broncos Team List
1. Jesse Arthars
2. Josiah Karapani
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Deine Mariner
6. Ezra Mam
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Corey Jensen
9. Josh Rogers
10. Payne Haas
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Jordan Riki
13. Xavier Willison
Interchange
14. Thomas Duffy
15. Ben Talty
16. Jaiyden Hunt
17. Jack Gosiewski
Reserves
18. Va’a Semu
19. Hayze Perham
20. Cameron Bukowski
21. TBA
22. Antonio Verhoeven