NRL 2021: Broncos v Warriors, round 23 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 22 Aug 2021, 03:05 PM

Remarkably the Warriors remain in the race for the top eight despite all the adversity that has been thrown their way in 2021.

Nathan Brown's men face the Broncos, Raiders and Titans in the run home and such is the confidence and camaraderie within the group at the moment they could conceivably win all three and finish on 24 points.

The Broncos meanwhile continue to show signs of life at the back end of the season and coach Kevin Walters has plenty of positives to take into 2022.

A win this week would snuff out the Warriors' faint hopes and they could then play spoiler against the Sharks and Knights in the final two rounds to really finish the season on a positive note.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Sunday 22 Aug

Full Time

Broncos

Warriors

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Highlights Latest

The rundown

Team news

Broncos: Jake Turpin returns at hooker, with Danny Levi shifting to the bench. David Mead will be the 18th man.

Albert Kelly (knee) has been cleared of any serious injury after being collected by Victor Radley last week but is in some doubt due to ongoing soreness.

Herbie Farnworth (illness/leg) has been named after failing to finish training last Thursday and missing the Roosters clash.

Cory Paix and Brodie Croft dropped off the extended bench on Saturday.

The Broncos will play their 300th game at Suncorp Stadium.

Warriors: In changes announced an hour before kick-off, Chad Townsend (halfback) and Jazz Tevaga (hooker) come into the starting side with Sean O'Sullivan out and Wayde Egan moving back to the bench.

Jackson Frei will be 18th man for Nathan Brown's team.

Kodi Nikorima and Edward Kosi dropped out of the playing squad 24 hours before kick-off.

The Warriors are aiming for four consecutive wins for the first time since 2018.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Sunday 22 Aug

Full Time

Broncos

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi Niu

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Selwyn Cobbo

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Peta Hiku
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier Coates

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Albert Kelly

Halfback for Warriors is number 22 Chad Townsend

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Broncos is number 21 Jake Turpin

Hooker for Warriors is number 17 Jazz Tevaga
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Josh Curran
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Euan Aitken
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Bayley Sironen

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 9 Danny Levi

Interchange for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Rhys Kennedy

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Eliesa Katoa
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Teui Robati

Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Jack Murchie

Reserves

Reserve for Broncos is number 14 David Mead

Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Jackson Frei

Match Officials

Referee: Matt Cecchin
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:45 PM

Key match-up

Tesi Niu v Reece Walsh: Two gifted young fullbacks fast making a name for themselves in the NRL. Niu has just turned 20 and in his 14 games for the Broncos this season has racked up 44 tackle breaks and scored five tries. He is electrifying coming out of the back field and will cause the Warriors plenty of headaches if their kick chase isn't up to scratch. Just 19, Walsh has burst onto the scene this season with 10 tries, 45 tackle breaks and 13 line breaks and he is the future of the club with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moving on to rugby union.

Stat attack

The Broncos have the second worst attack in the NRL, with 371 points in 21 games at an average of 17.66 per game. Not a single Broncos player has reached 10 tries for the season with Xavier Coates their best on eight. The Warriors have the fifth worst attack with 415 points at 19.7 per game and they too are yet to get a player into double figures for tries, with Reece Walsh the top Warrior on nine tries.

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