NRL Friday: Broncos v Rabbitohs free tips & odds, round 1, 2022

Rupert McIntosh

March 10, 2022

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Broncos v Souths round 1 2022 betting tips

Welcome to our Broncos-Rabbitohs match preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Friday, March 11.

This is the second NRL match on Friday, with Canberra Raiders hosting Cronulla at GIO Stadium in the earlier match from 6pm AEDT.

Wet weather is forecast for Brisbane so keep that in mind, especially when considering over/under betting on the Broncos-South clash.

READ: NRL match betting previews and tips
NRL round 1 schedule, 2022 title odds

Bookmakers have made the Rabbitohs, who fell agonisingly short in the grand final in 2021, hot favourites to beat the Broncos, who have been hit by a COVID-19 breakout in their squad.

Also, the Broncos have won just one of their past six matches against the Rabbitohs, and were roundly thrashed in their two meetings last season: 35-6 in round five and then 46-0 in round 15 on the Broncos’ home turf.

Of course, Souths’ talismanic halfback Adam Reynolds has left to join the Broncos this season, but misses this first-up assignment thanks to contracting COVID-19.

Souths must also adapt to life after Wayne Bennett, with the veteran mentor moving on to leave long-time assistant Jason Demetriou in charge.

The Broncos are rebuilding under coach Kevin Walters but they have hardly had an ideal preparation for their season opened. A competitive showing will probably be all the home fans can hope for.

Broncos v Rabbitohs team news for round 1

Both teams take on a new look this season, with the Broncos also having to cover for several players sidelined by COVID-19, including Reynolds, five-eighth Tyson Gamble, hooker Corey Paix and fellow forward Kobe Hetherington.

Recruit Billy Walters, son of the coach Kevin, will play alongside Albert Kelly in the halves, while Keenan Palasia is in at prop in place of young Thomas Flegler (suspension). Premiership-winning former Penrith second-rower Kurt Capewell makes his Broncos debut, as do bench pair Ryan James and Tyrone Roberts.

Demetriou is still without suspended superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell, with impressive youngster Blake Taaffe wearing the No.1 jersey.

The Bunnies need to fill the large gaps left by Reynolds and centre Dane Gagai but they have admirable depth. Jaxson Paulo moves from wing to centre, with highly regarded rookie Lachlan Ilias being given the chance to make Reynolds’ former spot his own.

The Rabbitohs still boast a powerful and dynamic pack.

Broncos v Rabbitohs

Kick-off: 8.05pm local time
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Head to head odds: Brisbane $3.65, Souths $1.29
Line: Brisbane (+10.5 points) $1.90, Souths (-10.5 points) $1.90
Match total: 45.5 points: over $1.90, under $1.90

Broncos v Rabbitohs free betting tips

Our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free tips for Friday night’s game.

Souths -12.5 points/match total over 44.5 points

We think the Rabbitohs have plenty of points in them, though the Broncos also have named a mobile team and should also pose a handful in attack. We see the Rabbitohs having too many guns in something of a shootout.

Place bet at $3.40 at TopSport!

Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane) to score a try

The Broncos’ fullback can sniff out a try and we will back him in the anytime try-scorer market at TopSport where he looks some value at $3.70 in what we think will be a free-scoring match.

Place bet at $3.70 at TopSport!

Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs prediction 11-3-2022

Until the disruption to their pre-season campaign through COVID came along, we rated the Broncos a good chance of causing an upset in this round-one clash, with both teams making large adjustments personnel-wise. But the loss of Reynolds just leaves them without that super-steady hand on the tiller. This should be an exciting contest but the Rabbitohs have more attacking firepower. Our Broncos v Rabbitohs prediction: Souths by 20 points.