Milford to dominate Broncos' NRL attack

Aug 23, 2017 - 12:58 AM Misfiring Brisbane No.7 Kodi Nikorima will remain at halfback for the NRL finals but will have to take a back seat after Wayne Bennett made no apologies for five-eighth Anthony Milford demanding more of the ball.

Bennett said his halves combination was set in stone for the rest of the season despite admitting Nikorima was "off the pace" in last round's win over St George Illawarra.

Nikorima has been retained at No.7 with Bennett electing to keep Ben Hunt on the bench as back-up rake for Thursday night's Suncorp Stadium clash with Parramatta.

Asked if his halves pairing was now locked in for the finals Bennett said: "I am not changing teams now.

"We know what our best team is and our job is to get them on the field each week; I won't be changing.

"They have all had their moments. But he (Nikorima) has been great this week at training.

"His form has overall been good and I have no doubt he will be good tomorrow night."

But Nikorima must get used to playing second fiddle after Bennett backed Milford's recent dominance of the ball.

Milford helped spark the win over the Dragons, which kept the Broncos in the top two, by scoring a solo try and setting up another two.

"That's what he's here for, that's what he brings -- what he does with the football," Bennett said.

"He is one of those special players who can do things that other guys can't do.

"If Milford is demanding the ball a lot then someone else in the team is going to have to miss out a little bit."

Brisbane have given winger Jordan Kahu (groin) and bench forward Tevita Pangai Junior (hamstring) a week off, replacing them with David Mead and Jaydn Su'A respectively.

The Broncos have lost just once in their past six games, against the Eels in round 21.

Fifth-placed Parramatta have won seven of their past eight.

"We respect them. They are obviously a much better team than last year," Bennett said.

"We will have our hands full tomorrow night."

Meanwhile, Parramatta's Beau Scott (bicep) and Kaysa Pritchard (knee) are unlikely to return from injury despite being named on an extended bench.

STATS THAT MATTER

* Brisbane have won 11 of 17 matches at Suncorp Stadium against Parramatta.

* Brisbane have won 10 of their past 11 home games.

* Parramatta have won just one match in Queensland since the start of 2015, losing seven straight between round eight 2015 and round three 2017.

Source: AAP