One New Zealand Warriors fans have come out in force to drive an official sellout of today’s blockbuster round 17 NRL clash against the Brisbane Broncos at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium (3.00pm kick-off local time; 5.00pm NZT).
It ensures the vital regular season showdown will have a finals-like atmosphere with Warriors supporters accounting for a huge percentage of the crowd – and guaranteed to make their presence felt as they did for the matches there against the Cowboys and Dolphins last month.
Outside the Magic Round, it's set to be the biggest regular season crowd at the venue this year, topping the attendance of 45,317 for Brisbane’s encounter with North Queensland in round three.
The fourth-placed Warriors (24 points) are looking for a big response after last week’s disappointing 18-28 loss to the Penrith while the Broncos, now seventh on 18 points, are chasing three straight victories following wins over the Titans and Sharks.
The clash forms the first half of a unique day at Suncorp Stadium, with Brisbane to play the Warriors at 3.00pm. The crowd will then leave before the venue is re-opened as a Dolphins home ground for their match with the Rabbitohs at 7.35pm.
The Warriors have won three of their last four matches and have prevailed twice at Suncorp Stadium this season beating the Cowboys and the Dolphins.
Match: Broncos v Warriors
Round 17 -
home Team
Broncos
7th Position
away Team
Warriors
4th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team news
Broncos: Coach Michael Maguire goes with the same 17 that got the job done against the Sharks. Winger Selwyn Cobbo is chasing his first appearance since round 13 and remained listed among the reserves along with 18th player Tyson Smoothy after the squad was cut to 19 24-hours from kick off.
One New Zealand Warriors: The loss of winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (ankle) brings Ed Kosi into the side while Rocco Berry is back from a hamstring injury in the centres. Maroons star Kurt Capewell returns after being rested last week so Leka Halasima goes to the bench. Tanah Boyd was the new 18th player and was listed along with Bunty Afoa when the squad was cut to 19.
Match: Broncos v Warriors
Round 17 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah KarapaniWinger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat ShibasakiCentre for Warriors is number 4 Rocco Berry
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse ArtharsWinger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke Metcalf
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey JensenProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Warriors is number 10 Marata Niukore
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy WaltersInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire Martin
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe HetheringtonInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson Ford
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Xavier WillisonInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jack GosiewskiInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka Halasima
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Tyson SmoothyReplacement for Warriors is number 20 Tanah Boyd
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Broncos have scored 78 points in back-to-back wins at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Warriors have won three of their past four games at Suncorp.
- Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki has scored five tries in his past four games.
- The Warriors have not defeated the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium since 2018.
- Broncos winger Josiah Karapani has scored four tries in his last two games at Suncorp Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.