Suncorp Stadium has been a challenging venue for the One New Zealand Warriors through the years although recent history has been more favourable.
They've had thrilling victories in three of their last five visits there beating Penrith and North Queensland in their last two Magic Round encounters as well as toppling the Dolphins in round 11 last year.
Success against the Broncos has been infrequent with only four wins and draw there since the first encounter in 2004.
This time they go head to head in the Magic Round for the first time, the Warriors as the nominated home team which they have been since the concept was introduced in 2019.
They go into the contest in second spot on the ladder with a 7-2 record, one of the club's best starts to a season in history.
Coming off four consecutive wins over the Storm, Titans, Dolphins and Eels they need victory today to stay in contact with the redoubtable Penrith.
The Broncos sit in 10th spot with a 5-5 record coming off losses to the Roosters and Sea Eagles during a period when they have been without a number of their frontline players. They'll be drive by desperation today playing as the away team at their own ground.
Match: Warriors v Broncos
Round 11 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Broncos
11th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: No changes to the named lineup in the 24-hour update. Tanah Boyd and Chanel Harris-Tavita will again combine in the halves as Andrew Webster welcomes back a host of troops. Last week’s bye provided a chance to rest up and they will be fresh heading into this showdown with the Broncos. Mitch Barnett (concussion) returns at prop, Ali Leiataua (concussion) will slot into the centres, Wayde Egan (concussion) starts at hooker and Tanner Stowers-Smith (hamstring) has been listed on the six-man bench. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck) and Marata Niukore (reserve grade duty) have not been named, while playmaker Luke Metcalf is also not listed in the squad. Leiataua replaces Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has picked up a shoulder injury, with Barnett’s return prompting a shift to the interchange for Jackson Ford.
Broncos: One change to the bench in the 24-hour update with Tom Duffy coming into the 19, with Josh Rogers dropping out. Kane Bradley remained in the reserves. Star halfback Adam Reynolds comes straight back into the side in his return from a concussion that kept him out of last week’s loss to Manly. Reynolds’ comeback will see Ben Hunt shift to the interchange. Philip Coates, younger brother of Storm flyer Xavier, has been named to make his NRL debut on the wing in place of Antonio Verhoeven (shoulder). The loss of Jack Gosiewski to a head knock has prompted a minor pack reshuffle, with Xavier Willison shifting from back row to prop. Jaiyden Hunt comes into the side in jumper No.11.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Broncos is number 3 Jesse Arthars
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Broncos is number 5 Phillip Coates
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Broncos is number 8 Preston Riki
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Broncos is number 10 Xavier Willison
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jaiyden Hunt
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam HealeyInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Ben Hunt
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson FordInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben Talty
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Va'a Semu
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jacob LabanInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Aublix Tawha
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Broncos is number 18 Hayze Perham
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Te Maire MartinInterchange for Broncos is number 20 Thomas Duffy
Reserves
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Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaReserve for Broncos is number 22 Kane Bradley
Warriors Ins
- Ali Leiataua
- Mitchell Barnett
- Tanner Stowers-Smith
- Te Maire Martin
Broncos Ins
- Adam Reynolds
- Jaiyden Hunt
- Kane Bradley
Warriors Outs
- Kayliss Fatialofa
- Luke Metcalf
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Broncos Ins
- Antonio Verhoeven
- Jack Gosiewski
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have not defeated the Broncos in Brisbane since 2018.
- The Broncos have won three of their last four Magic Round games.
- Warriors left winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored six tries in his last three games.
- Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has scored seven tries in his last seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Warriors right winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored six tries in his last three games in Australia.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
