The rivalry was forged out of back-to-back grand final clashes in the 1990s when the Broncos took the NSWRL title north of the border for the first time. That rivalry intensified in 2009 when Wayne Bennett, the Broncos coach of 20 years (since their inception), moved south to Kogarah.
Nearly two decades on from their first grand final clash, the tables have turned and the Broncos are not only fighting for their season, but for respect. Bennett on the other hand is sitting high and would be expecting to not only beat the Broncos tonight, but embarrass them and put an end to their finals hopes just 5 weeks into the season.
To make matters worse for the Broncos, team management this week had to take disciplinary action against two players for failing to turn up to training on time. The two players have been suspended by the club.
When television executives and NRL management sat down at the start of the year to determine which teams got the Friday night spots I don't think they imagined such a dejected Broncos outfit would be filling prime time games.
In other round 5 match predictions:
The Dragons will make a mess of the Broncos and end their hopes of making the finals.
The Storm will beat a well performing Titans outfit in Robina.
Russell Crow's boys will outdo the Knights in Sydney.
Bulldogs should be able to rack up their second win against a hot and cold Warriors.
Despite the Cowboys' strong performance at home last week they'll struggle against the Tigers. Both teams are coming off a win.
The silver tails will be too strong for the toothless Sharks
Roosters over the Panthers by one.
Eels v Raiders – number 12, at home, to 14. Flip a coin
Super14: Round 9 of the Super 14 competition will prove to be an important round for the NSW Waratahs. The Waratahs are in New Zealand to take on the Crusaders and retain their top spot on the ladder before their bye round next week.
There has been some talk in Super 14 circles that somehow the Waratahs are undeserving of their top-of-the table status. It was a breath of fresh air to read (Lord) Todd Blackadder's (Coach of the Waratahs round 9 opponents – the Crusaders) comments in the Sydney Morning Herald that he believed the Waratahs deserved to be number one and luck had nothing to do with it.
''You don't get to No.1 on the ladder - not quite three-quarters of the way through the competition - by being lucky. It just doesn't happen.''
Of course he did go on to say he thought the Waratahs would be beaten by the Crusaders. Something you would expect the coach to say, and he's probably right.
However, if the Waratahs do win it'll silence their critics and they'll firm up as season favourites.
In other matches:
The Bulls should beat the Chiefs in Hamilton
The Highlanders will continue the Western Force's pathetic season in Queenstown
The Stormers will beat the Blues who are desperate for a win and extra point to hoist them into the top four
The Waratahs will come out on top in Christchurch simply because we all want them to!
Brumbies to down the poor performing Cheetahs in Canberra, and
The Reds to flog the Lions in Jo'Burg
In recent years the Super 14 clubs have been recruiting NRL players whereas once upon a time it was the other way round. This cross fertilisation has been beneficial to both codes. Some have likened this transfer of players similarly beneficial to the Australian Churches, where Christians have moved from one Denomination to another, or Ministers from one to another.