Trial Match Preview: Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters
by
Wednesday February 26, 2003

According to Channel 9, the trial match at Athletic Oval in Toowoomba will be a truck-load different this year, as the weather forcast tells us that Saturday will be fine. After 5 games played at the Athletic Oval, the only one that has been fine was the between the Broncos and the Warriors in 1999. Rain and fog has taken over the Toowoomba Trial Matches since then but even if it did rain or even if it was foggy, it still should be a great night for the fans of the Broncos and rugby league.

The Broncos will once again be without prop forward Shane Webcke as he continues to battle a calf injury and will go into the opening round of the 2003 Telstra Premiership without a trial match under his belt.

Richard Swain will also be unavailable for the match due to suspension, after making a dangerous tackle on Bulldogs' captain Steven Price in the Broncos' first trial match of the 2003 Pre-season at Carrara Stadium last Saturday night.  Swain copped a one match ban and will be available for the Broncos' first game of the 2003 Telstra Premiership against the Penrith Panthers on March 16.

Young'n Michael Ryan will fill in his spot at hooker, a huge chance for him as he starts a long challenge trying to get the hooking spot in front of the New Zealand International.

The Sydney Roosters will be without captain Brad Fittler, second rower Craig Fitzgibbon, centre Todd Byrne and playmaker Craig Wing. Brett Finch will play his first game for the Roosters against an Australian side at halfback, where he is expected to play this season. Wing looks like he will be playing at hooker, and Wade Humphries will play in the hooking role this Saturday night.

Lock Luke Ricketson will captain a somewhat unfamiliar Roosters side which sees Anthony Minichiellp shift to fullback, Chris Flannery to five-eigth and Ryan Cross on the bench.

New youngsters pushing their claims for a spot at the Roosters will be Aaron Mercer on the left wing, Lalea Paea on the right wing and Wade Humphries at hooker.

The Broncos will field a potential first grade side featuring the brilliant Darren Lockyer, the raging bull Gorden Tallis and will see another chapter in the return of an horrific injury run for Ben Ikin. Petero Civoniceva will return to the field after missing the trial match at Carrara Stadium after suffering heat exhaustion in the scorching temperatures of the Queensland summer.

Shaun Berrigan will get another chance to secure his halfback spot partnering Ben Ikin in the halves. Berrigan had a solid game in the trial match, made some good breaks but will need to work more on creating opportunities for other players with great try scoring potential.

Gorden Tallis will captain his side on the Athletic Oval on Saturday night after having a solid game in attack and defence, showing signs of the Raging Bull of old. However, Tallis's efforts were not talked about as much as Tonie Carroll's efforts, who will also take to the field this Saturday night.

The Roosters have named 22 players for the match, while the Broncos named 18.

For teams, see the match preview available on the right of screen.