After a flying start in 2023 the Broncos head to New Zealand looking to avoid a third-straight loss against a Warriors side set to welcome back some key personnel.
Despite defending bravely in a 15-4 loss to premiers Penrith last week, Brisbane lacked direction in attack without injured No.7 Adam Reynolds.
The bye last week was timely for the Warriors given their extensive injury toll, while a 24-12 win over the Bulldogs in Round 11, which snapped a three-game losing streak, will have ensured spirits were high heading into their time off.
This will be the first time either side has played at McLean Park in Napier, with the 2015 clash between Melbourne and St George Illawarra being the only previous NRL game at the venue.
The Broncos and Warriors have played each other just once each year for the past three seasons, with the latter winning two of those contests.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Warriors v Broncos
Team News
Warriors: Will take the field 1-17, with Luke Metcalf making his club debut. Jackson Ford is back to start in the second row after missing Round 11 with a head knock, while hooker Wayde Egan (calf) is out and replaced by Freddy Lussick.
Broncos: No late changes, with halfback Adam Reynolds returning from injury to boost his side who are without Origin stars Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Payne Haas, Thomas Flegler and Pat Carrigan. Tristan Sailor starts at fullback and Deine Mariner gets a run on the wing. Keenan Palasia and Corey Jensen are the new starting props, with Kobe Hetherington moving into the starting side at lock. The new faces on the bench are Xavier Willison and Brendan Piakura.
Match: Warriors v Broncos
Round 13 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Broncos is number 1 Tristan Sailor
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Broncos is number 2 Jesse Arthars
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco BerryCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Broncos is number 5 Deine Mariner
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke MetcalfFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Broncos is number 8 Keenan Palasia
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Freddy LussickHooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty AfoaProp for Broncos is number 10 Corey Jensen
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu HarrisLock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Bayley SironenInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory Paix
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Josh CurranInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Xavier Willison
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric SifakulaInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Brendan Piakura
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom AleInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin Taupau
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine TuaupikiReplacement for Broncos is number 20 Delouise Hoeter
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won three of their past four games in New Zealand played outside Auckland.
- The Broncos play in New Zealand for the first time since 2019.
- The Warriors have won eight of their past 11 games against the Broncos in New Zealand.
- More than half of the Broncos’ squad will play their first NRL game in New Zealand.
- Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake has scored four tries in his past five games.
Match: Warriors v Broncos
Round 13 -
home Team
Warriors
9th Position
away Team
Broncos
1st Position
Venue: McLean Park, Napier
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
