Broncos v Warriors preview: Milford starts, Turpin back; DWZ in, Evans out
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.
Match: Broncos v Warriors
Round 23 -
home Team
Broncos
14th Position
away Team
Warriors
11th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
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.
Match: Broncos v Warriors
Round 23 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi NiuFullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Selwyn CobboCentre for Warriors is number 3 Peta Hiku
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony MilfordFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Albert KellyHalfback for Warriors is number 22 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 21 Jake TurpinHooker for Warriors is number 17 Jazz Tevaga
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Warriors is number 10 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Josh Curran
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Euan Aitken
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe HetheringtonLock for Warriors is number 13 Bayley Sironen
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 9 Danny LeviInterchange for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Rhys KennedyInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Eliesa Katoa
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Teui RobatiInterchange for Warriors is number 21 Jack Murchie
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 14 David MeadReserve 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:
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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