For the second time this season the One New Zealand Warriors take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in a contest which is pivotal to their top four aspirations.
When the traditional rivals met in Magic Round in May, the Warriors put together an impressive 42-12 victory in what was their 'home' clash.
Wahs Fever took over Suncorp Stadium that day and similar scenes are expected today for the continuation of the NRL's Indigenous Round.
The Warriors have kicked on since that dominant win and sent shockwaves through the competition last week with a commanding victory over the Panthers.
For all that the Warriors are wary of a Brisbane which produced a blistering start to last week's clash with the Dolphins and have the talent across the park to cause the visitors plenty of problems.
Ezra Mam is in fine attacking form, while Reece Walsh can shift a match in the blink of an eye.
Match: Broncos v Warriors
Round 24 -
home Team
Broncos
16th Position
away Team
Warriors
3rd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team news
Broncos: The premiers continue to take a cautious approach to skipper Adam Reynolds' return from concussion so young gun Thomas Duffy hangs on to the #7 jersey in an unchanged starting side. Prop Aublix Tawha has been named on the bench for his first NRL appearance since suffering a syndesmosis injury in round 17. The Broncos’ seven-game losing streak at Suncorp Stadium is the worst in their history. Gehamat Shibasaki was added to the six-man bench on Friday in jersey #20.
One New Zealand Warriors: Te Maire Martin played nine games in a row at halfback between round 12 and 22 but a hamstring injury opened the door for Luke Metcalf and the Dragons-bound playmaker burst through it last week. On the back of a standout role against the Panthers, Metcalf starts in the #7 jersey this week in an unchanged starting side. Demitric Vaimauga returns on the bench after two games out with a rib injury so Morgan Gannon drops to the reserves. Luke Hanson and Makaia Tafua dropped out of the squad on Friday.
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 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Deine MarinerCentre for Warriors is number 4 Leka Halasima
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Grant AndersonWinger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Thomas DuffyHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke Metcalf
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Xavier WillisonProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jaiyden Hunt2nd 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 Ben HuntInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Aublix TawhaInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-Smith
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Jack GosiewskiInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Va'a SemuInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
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Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Blake MozerInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Taine Tuaupiki
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Interchange for Broncos is number 20 Gehamat ShibasakiInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Adam Pompey
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Hayze PerhamReserve for Warriors is number 21 Morgan Gannon
Broncos Ins
- Aublix Tawha
- Hayze Perham
Warriors Ins
- Demitric Vaimauga
Broncos Outs
- Ben Talty
Warriors Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Broncos have lost 11 of their last 12 games.
- The Warriors have won three of their last four games against the Broncos.
- Broncos centre Deine Mariner has scored four tries in two games against the Warriors.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored nine tries in his last six games against the Broncos.
- The Broncos’ seven-game losing streak at Suncorp Stadium is the worst in their history.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
