Broncos Lose Ikin, Carlaw
by
Friday June 27, 2003

The Brisbane Broncos' 8 remaining Queensland State of Origin representatives will attempt to erase their Telstra Stadium humiliation with victory over the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium tonight without Ben Ikin and Dane Carlaw.

The two have been rested after coming up worse for wear from Wednesday night's 27-4 capitulation to the Blues, and in their place Brett Seymour and Carl Webb join the squad.

Ikin has come under incredible criticism since Wednesday night, although media reports of the fan revolt on the club's forum were greatly exaggerated.  Although his performance earnt the ire of many, it is a stretch to suggest fans blamed him for the defeat.

He is replaced in the starting side by utility Casey McGuire, with Seymour obviously intended to come on at five-eighth or halfback at some stage during the game.

Corey Parker moves to the starting side to replace Carlaw, with 2001 State of Origin hero Carl Webb making his long awaited first appearance in first grade for 2003.  Webb has suffered a frustrating battle with hamstring injuries all season but has played the last fortnight for Toowoomba Clydesdales and showed some very impressive form. His fresh, barnstorming legs will come in handy as the Broncos' well beaten pack begin to tire.

Scott Minto is the other change from the line up named on Tuesday.  The winger who scored the match winning try for the Broncos in their stirring 24-20 win over Canberra two weeks ago suffered an ankle injury in the dying seconds of that game and has been replaced by Craig Frawley. Frawley played three games earlier in the year but was pushed back to the Clydesdales to gain match fitness and confidence.

The Sydney Roosters have yet to trim down their squad of 19 to 17, but despite the surprise naming of utility Chris Flannery, who was injured during Origin 1, he is unlikely to play.  The Roosters have six players backing up from Wednesday night, and earlier in the week lost forward enforcer Adrian Morley to suspension. 

Since the Origin series began, the Roosters have lost to the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers, while staggering to a 15-14 win over North Queensland in between.  They will be keen to secure a prize scalp like the Broncos, particularly when they are at their most vulnerable.

The Broncos will be hoping a crowd of around 40000 will help inspire them to their first win at the newly revamped Suncorp Stadium.