Broncos vs Cowboys top tips, same-game multi & odds | 27/3/22

The XXXX Derby is one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the NRL season, and the Round Three clash between the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys promises to be another tantalising Rugby League contest. A 3pm kickoff will see some humid conditions sap the energy of the players, and it could lead to a high-scoring game, something that hasn’t happened much in 2022 with the reduction of the ‘six again’ rule.

Brisbane Broncos have shocked many footy fans by coming into this game undefeated as the $1.53 head-to-head favourite, and they’ve done it with patience. They’ve only scored 27 points across two games, but the improvements they’ve made in defence, as well as coming up against two clubs who have new combinations to work out has given them a chance to build confidence in their defensive systems. The other pleasing part has been how they figured out the weak spot in the Bulldogs defence and made them pay, using Herbie Farnworth to great effect down the left-edge.

While they haven’t posted a big number on the scoreboard, it isn’t from having a lack of strike power in the backline. Kotoni Staggs on the right and Farnworth on the left are going to cause plenty of teams issues, and it feels like Staggs will want to make up for his bombed try last week. He is $9.50 to get the first of the game and an even $2 to cross at any stage in the game, which puts him on the first line of betting. He has at least one try in five of his last six games with Brisbane as the betting favourite at Suncorp Stadium, so there is a method to why he has firmed that much. The other is Corey Oates at that same price, who will fancy himself to get around Kyle Feldt to finish off a backline move.

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North Queensland Cowboys were awful in Round One but produced a great performance against Canberra in Round Two to get their first win of the season. Jason Taumalolo produced his best game since Todd Payten became the coach, and if they are to get the upset at the $2.75 price, he will have to maintain that level to match Payne Haas in the middle. If he can get some ascendancy, there is enough in the backline to produce some points. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is speed personified at fullback and has a knack popping up at the right time, while Valentine Holmes and Peta Hiku have enough veteran leadership to make the right plays if given a chance. While those men will have their say in the contest, it isn’t a XXXX Derby if you’re not backing Kyle Feldt to score a try. He has a least one try in each of his last four games against Brisbane, including the ‘octupus’ try last season which defies physics to this day. He also managed to score a pretty significant four-pointer in the 2015 Grand Final, so he loves tormenting Brisbane.

Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys betting prediciton

This feels like a Brisbane win in front of a big crowd at Suncorp Stadium. 22-18 feels like a good final score, which makes us think the $2.80 for the Broncos to secure a 1-12 point margin is the way to lean. Six of Brisbane’s last seven games have gone under the total points line, but this might be the game where it ticks over.

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