The Brisbane Broncos are going head to head with the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday afternoon in Brisbane.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos also had a very one-sided game in round 17 except they were the winning team defeating the Gold Coast Titans 34-0. The young squad is becoming a force to be reckoned with as they currently sit 7th on the NRL ladder and have won their last three matches.
New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors have slipped down to 8th on the NRL ladder in recent weeks due to their underwhelming performances and a few referee decisions not going their way. Last week they suffered an embarrassing and unexpected loss to the Panthers 36-4 who were missing all of their star players to origin. The Warriors started out strong but were unable to put points on the board until the 75th minute.
SQUAD NEWS
Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane have named all their Origin reps to return. Corey Oates replaces Jonus Pearson on the wing and James Roberts pushes Kotoni Staggs from centre to the bench. Hooker Andrew McCullough and lock Josh McGuire start, pushing Alex Glenn to second row and Joe Ofahengaue and Tevita Pangai jnr to the bench. Patrick Mago, Jake Turpin and David Fifita drop to the reserves.
New Zealand Warriors
Gerard Beale starts on the wing with Ken Maumalo (knee) out and Anthony Gelling joining the bench. Joseph Vuna replaces Ligi Sao on the bench. Mason Lino and Blake Ayshford were cut from the reserves on Saturday afternoon.
PREVIEW
This match is crucial for both sides and will be an interesting watch as one team has been suffering embarrassing losses and the other has been dishing them out.
The key matchup for this game will be between Kiwis team mates Shaun Johnson and Kodi Nikorima. When Johnson flaunts his magic on the field the Warriors pick up the energy and it reflects on the scoreboard. However Nikorima played a big role in shutting down the Titans last weekend and as they will be playing at home off the back of a win, the star halfback will be one the Warriors need to watch out for.
The Warriors will need to come out with the same intensity as they did at the beginning of the season if they want to have a chance against the strong Broncos side.
KEY STAT
The Warriors have won six from eight away games this season.
SQUADS
Brisbane Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Jayden S’uA, 13 Josh McGuire Interchange: 14 Kotoni Staggs, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Tevita Pangai jnr Reserves: 18 Jonus Pearson, 19 Patrick Mago, 20 David Fifita, 21 Sam Tagataese, 22 Jake Turpin, 23 Tom Opacic
New Zealand Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitu’a, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Gerard Beale, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Simon Mannering, 13 Adam Blair interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Tevita Satae, 16 Joseph Vuna, 17 Anthony Gelling reserves: 18 Ligi Sao, 19 Karl Lawton
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Sunday July 15, 2018
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 2pm (AEST), 4pm (NZT)
WHO WILL WIN?
The Warriors will be wanting to redeem themselves after last weekend so I think they will catch the Broncos off guard and take the win.
Warriors by 6
