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Published Time: 29.06.2024 - 01:53:42 Modified Time: 29.06.2024 - 01:53:42

With the Broncos coming in fresh of a bye round, it won't make things any easier for the Warriors, with the only silver lining being the visitors missing their State of Origin stars. Warriors vs Broncos


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Describing this Warriors season as a rollercoaster would be nothing short of an understatement, as the team looks to bounce back from what was possibly the worst performance in the club's entire history.

With the Broncos coming in fresh of a bye round, it won't make things any easier for the Warriors, with the only silver lining being the visitors missing their State of Origin stars.

Andrew Webster is adamant the Warriors can still make a push towards the finals but says they desperately need to find their pride again.

But without star playmaker Shaun Johnson, who's facing a month on the sideline, it's not going to be easy. This is a do or die game for the club.

Here's a look at the teams:

1. Charnze Nicoll-Kolkstad 2. Dallin Watten-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Mitch Barnett 13. Tohu Harris (c)

Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Kurt Capewell

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Kobę Hetherington

Interchange: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau

Chanel Harris-Tavita pairs up with Te Maire Martin in the halves, a combination that's proved more than worthy in the past.

Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett also return from State of Origin duties to give the Warriors' forward pack a much-needed boost.

It's hard to get a good read on the Broncos line-up, with the likes of former Warriors Reece Walsh and key forwards Payne Hass and Patrick Carrigan being called up for Origin.

A lot will rest on Ezra Mam's shoulders, while Selwyn Cobbo has moved into centre.

Warriors 22 - 26 Broncos

Warriors 12 - 42 Broncos (prelim final)

The Warriors came so close to mounting a last-minute comeback against the Broncos early last season in Napier, being denied a try at the end of the game that would have given them an opportunity at a conversion to win the game.

But the one we all remember from last year is the fateful preliminary final match that ended the most triumphant season in the Warriors' modern-day history, falling short in the big dance as the Broncos streaked away to win 42 - 12.


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