Broncos name team to face the Warriors

Ahead of this Sunday?s opportunity to equal the club?s record for successive wins, the Brisbane Broncos are set to welcome back star duo of Brent Tate and Brad Thorn for the away match against the New Zealand Warriors.

2004 Tri-Nations centre tourist Tate seems to have fully recovered from the sprained ankle he obtained in the round-14 win over Canberra but will remain on the wing outside the in-form Justin Hodges.

While Queensland State of Origin forward Thorn has been named in the second-row after missing Saturday night?s 40-22 success over the Wests Tigers with a minor groin problem.

The pair?s return is a boost for the Broncos as they attempt to move one step closer to passing the club?s record of 11 straight wins.

The first-placed Broncos current winning streak sits at 10 with victory over the Warriors at Ericsson Stadium this weekend meaning the 2005 unit will join the Broncos? teams of season 1990 and 1999 on 11 consecutive successes.

The Broncos however will have to match the record without the hard-hitting services of International lock Tonie Carroll and interchange utility forward Neville Costigan.

Carroll is still bothered by a calf muscle strain while Costigan will plead guilty this week at the NRL judiciary to a grade-one dangerous throw in which he will spend two-weeks on the sidelines for a 76th minute spear tackle on Tigers forward Matt Jobson.

Carroll?s absence means Brisbane Easts utility Darren Smith will retain his starting lock position as Thorn?s return acts a timely replacement for Costigan.

The Broncos have named an extended six-man interchange list with last game benchmen of second-rower Dane Carlaw, utility Casey McGuire and utility forwards Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday joined by prop Darren Mapp and giant forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.

Broncos: Karmichael Hunt; Brent Tate, Justin Hodges, Shaun Berrigan, Leon Bott; Darren Lockyer (c), Brett Seymour; Darren Smith, Brad Thorn, David Stagg; Petero Civoniceva, Barry Berrigan, Shane Webcke.

Interchange: Corey Parker, Casey McGuire, Dane Carlaw, Sam Thaiday, Darren Mapp, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (two to be ommitted)

Coach: Wayne Bennett