Warriors v Broncos preview

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Warriors v Brisbane Broncos Saturday 5:30pm at Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa

Two sides coming off disappointing losses in round six meet in Auckland, as the New Zealand Warriors look to avenge their thrashing from last week against the Brisbane Broncos.

One side were blown out of the water as soon as they walked onto the field last week, while the other seemed to lack confidence at home to a side firmly in the bottom four. It was a pretty dour week for Brisbane and the Warriors last weekend, as they both look to bounce back on Saturday night.

In what could be a copy and paste job from last weeks Storm v Warriors preview, the Melbourne outfit came out firing to condemn the Warriors to their biggest loss of 2025 so far. At one point, the Warriors were letting in tries for fun as they conceded nearly a point a minute in the first half last week - Scott Bailey yet again on speed dial with the Storm being up 30-0 at half time

While the Warriors knuckled down in the second half, it was still an ugly 42-14 loss for the Auckland outfit. Further compounding that loss, the Warriors also now have to deal with James Fisher-Harris missing time due to a pectoral injury that will have him sidelined for the coming weeks.

The Broncos were outplayed at home by the Roosters, going down 26-16 in front of over 40,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium. We saw flashes of the Broncos best, with Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh popping up in stages but the Roosters were too good off the back of Hugo Savala's kicking game.

The sin binning of Jack Gosiewski and the concussion of Jesse Arthurs ended up being too much for the Broncos to handle, with their attack stifled by the Roosters forward pack. Whilst Reece Walsh somewhat looked like his old self, he will need to be at his best as he returns to Go Media Stadium to face his old side.

There are changes galore for the Warriors with three injuries from last week forcing changes. THe aforementioned injury to James Fisher-Harris sees Jackson Ford start and Jacob Laban move onto the bench. Rocco Berry is out, so Kurt Capewell will play at centre, Leka Halasima starts in the second row and Te Maire Martin gets his first NRL appearance of the year from the bench. Ed Kosi also gets a recall with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in concussion protocol, as Taine Tuaupiki moves to fullback and Kosi comes onto the wing.

The Broncos lose Jack Gosewski to suspension, with Jordan Riki returning from his own ban to start in the second row. Tyson Smoothy will come see his first action of the year from the pine, replacing Martin Taupau. Deine Mariner remains in the reserves, named as the 18th man.

Last meeting: Round 17 2024 - Warriors 32 Broncos 16

Who to Watch: Mitchell Barnett will have to lead from the front with the absence of James Fisher-Harris, coming up against the form forward pack lead by Payne Haas. THe NSW Origin forward will have to make an impact early in this game, moreso defensively than in attack in order to thwart the insanely strong Broncos pack. Averaging over 125 running metres and 33 tackles, Barnett will have to go well above that if the Warriors are to start their home stand with a win against one of the competition favourites.

At the risk of highlighting the obvious, Payne Haas could make or break this game very early on in the piece. The Warriors are susceptible through the middle and if any forward in the game today is going to make light of those issues, it is Payne Haas. The premier forward in the game today, if Haas can get rolling against the Warriors, it could get incredibly messy.

My Tip: Despite last weeks result in Melbourne and what that may say about this Warriors side, they can, on their day, take it to the best in the competition. It will not be the Warriors day on Saturday though - a disshevelled Warriors line up coming up against a Brisbane side that is looking to bounce back on the road in what will be the first game Reece Walsh plays at Go Media Stadium since leaving the Warriors… look out. Broncos by 14.

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Bunty Afoa 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Te Maire Martin 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 16. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 9. Cory Paix 11. Jaiyden Hunt 15. Corey Jensen 17. Tyson Smoothy 18. Deine Mariner

Referees: Chris Butler; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Daniel Luttringer; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;