Broncos v Rabbitohs NRL tips, odds & multi – Round 9, 2023

Friday’s round nine NRL action wraps up in Brisbane with the Broncos hosting the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium. These two top-tier sides are playing some of the best football they have all season which shapes this clash to be one of the best so far.

The Broncos have made multiple changes to their starting 17 with Corey Oates (knee), Ezra Mam (suspended) and Payne Haas (suspended) ruled out. Jesse Arthars returns to the wing with Jock Madden coming into the halves for his Broncos debut and Keenan Palasia named to start in the front row.

The Rabbitohs have made just one change as Tevita Tatola returns from his knee injury to start in the front row, pushing Thomas Burgess to the bench and Daniel Suluka-Fifita to the reserves.

Broncos fans will fondly remember the beginning of their 2022 NRL season, when they beat the Rabbitohs in Brisbane without several of their starting players, including former Bunnies star Adam Reynolds. However, Friday night’s clash shapes to be vastly different than either of their 2022 matches. The loss of Haas and Mam will greatly reduce the strength and aggression of the Broncos attack, so it has been no surprise to see the Rabbitohs backed into $1.66 in the head-to-head market at BetOnline.

The loss of Oates for the Broncos will be enormous – not only for his strong carries from the back and his try-scoring ability, but his experience in defence in the right corner. That leaves his replacement, Arthars, to defend one of the game’s greatest try-scorers and one of the league’s most dangerous left-edge attacks. Arthars will only need to jam in off his wing once for one of Cody Walker or Latrell Mitchell to find Alex Johnston, who looks certain to score a try at any time during the match ($1.71).

Taane Milne has returned to the first-grade side with Izaac Thompson out due to injury. Milne has improved on the wing but still has issues with defence and discipline. Should they bubble to the surface, the Brisbane Broncos will look to direct the attack to their left edge, where Selwyn Cobbo will be waiting to cross the try line at any time ($1.94).

Both sides are stacked with attacking weapons in the forwards and backs. However, the test for either team will be how they defend their try line when the other side is applying the pressure. ‘Defence wins premierships’ is one of the truer rugby league sayings, and it is a phrase both coaches will be drilling into their sides this week. Expect this to be a tight, low-scoring contest with the total match points falling below 42.5 ($1.90).

Key matchup: Walsh v Mitchell

Reece Walsh vs Latrell Mitchell

Reece Walsh and Latrell Mitchell have been two of the best fullbacks in the 2023 NRL season, which shows in the success their sides have had. It’s clear the two goes about their work in very different ways, with Latrell using his size and strength to his advantage, while Walsh uses his speed and footwork. Both are incredible support players in the open field and have brilliant passing games that often create tries for their wingers. The difference between these two players will be their decision making, and whoever injects themselves into the game at the right time will help lead their side to a win.

Broncos v Rabbitohs NRL match prediction

Broncos v Rabbitohs R9 same game multi

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