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Broncos v Warriors: Walker's on; Nicholls returns

The Broncos enter the final round as one of the form teams after securing consecutive wins for the first time since mid-season.

Brisbane overcame the Dragons 24-16 in Wollongong, with captain Tamika Upton delivering another masterclass. The superstar fullback finished with one try, two try assists, four line breaks and more than 200 run metres. What a weapon.

For the Warriors, the equation is simple. After a fourth straight loss, this is their final chance to salvage a season that once had them firmly inside the top four. Their 40-32 loss to Cronulla highlighted both their attacking potential and defensive vulnerabilities.

The visitors have enough strike power to trouble Brisbane, particularly through their physical forward pack and dangerous outside backs. However, tightening their defence against one of the competition's most experienced spines will be key.

Team News

Broncos: Brisbane remain unchanged on game day. Rhemy Hinckesman has been promoted from 18th player to the interchange, swapping with Reegan Hicks. Harlem Walker also comes on to the bench in place of Tavarna Papalii, who made her club debut last week.

Warriors: A big boost for the Warriors on game day with skipper Apii Nicholls joining the side at fullback. Tysha Ikenasio was cleared to make her return from an ankle injury on Saturday and will line up on the wing. Former Broncos Stacey Waaka, Mele Hufanga (both in the centres), Gayle Broughton (five-eighth) and Annetta Nuuausala (bench) will take on their old side. Laishon Albert-Jones remains the reserve after suffering a leg injury early in the season. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika Upton
    Fullback for Warriors is number 21 Apii Nicholls
  • Winger for Broncos is number 2 Kerri Johnson
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Payton Takimoana
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Deleni Paitai
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Mele Hufanga
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Georgia Bartlett
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Stacey Waaka
  • Winger for Broncos is number 5 Julia Robinson
    Winger for Warriors is number 19 Tysha Ikenasio
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ali Brigginshaw
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Gayle Broughton
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Jesse Southwell
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Patricia Maliepo

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Shannon Mato
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Annetta Nuuausala
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jada Ferguson
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jasmin Huriwai
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Brianna Clark
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matekino Gray
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Lauren Dam
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker
  • Lock for Broncos is number 13 Lillian Yarrow
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Kaiyah Atai

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Rhemy Hinckesman
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri Paekau
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Bree Spreadborough
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Ashlee Matapo
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Harlem Walker
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Metanoia Fetalaiga

Reserves

  • Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Reegan Hicks
    Replacement for Warriors is number 22 Laishon Albert-Jones

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Broncos have won three from four against the Warriors
  • The Warriors have lost four of their five games played in Australia this season
  • Broncos fullback Tamika Upton has scored six tries in three games against the Warriors
  • Warriors centre Stacey Waaka is on a six-game tryscoring streak

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.

Acknowledgement of Country

The New Zealand Warriors honour the mana of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific. We acknowledge the traditional kaitiaki of the lands, elders past and present, their stories, their traditions, their mamae and their mana motuhake.

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