From Sportal
Warriors v Broncos
VENUE & TIME:Ericsson Stadium, Sunday - 12:00 AEST
HEAD TO HEAD:Played 19, Broncos 12, Warriors 7
COVERAGE:Fox Sports, ABC Radio
LAST TIME:Warriors 30 - Broncos 18 at Ericsson Stadium, round 16, 2005
WALKING WOUNDED
The Warriors have lost winger Todd Byrne for up to eight weeks with a broken arm, but second-rower Awen Guttenbiel will play after withdrawing late last week with a virus.
Broncos centre Justin Hodges tore a hamstring in Origin I and will miss 3-5 weeks as a result. His loss has been tempered slightly by the return of utility Casey McGuire (pec tear) at hooker. Experienced prop Shane Webcke made an earlier-than-expected return from a rib injury last week and got through the match unscathed. Second-rower Dane Carlaw requires another week to overcome a knee injury suffered in round six.
FORM
The biggest rule in rugby league tipping is to steer well clear of the Warriors after they've had a win and that proved a smart move again last week when they struggled to compete against the Sharks. Anyone who seriously thought the Warriors were back on track following their solid round 11 win over the Tigers, were given a quick remainder of the Kiwi-based side's chronic inconsistency in just the first minute of play against the Sharks when Nigel Vagana raced away for an easy try. They have only won back-to-back on three occasions since 2003.
The Broncos registered their 300th premiership win at the weekend when they comprehensively outplayed the Bulldogs. Brisbane has now won their last nine post-Origin encounters, completely dispelling the myth they struggle immediately after an Origin game. The win puts them on top of the ladder on percentages.
WHO'S HOT
Just when people were starting to think Shaun Berrigan's career as an elite NRL player was in decline, he produces a brilliant display in both attack and defence against the Bulldogs last week. He scored a try, made 13 tackle busts and 187 metres from 13 runs. But the most important facet to his game was his defence where he successfully kept opposite Sonny Bill Williams under control for the entire match.
WHO'S NOT
Warriors winger Todd Byrne. After scoring plenty of tries last year and really announcing himself as a quality first-grader, Byrne's career has taken a turn for the worst this season. He has been prone to error and is not making an impact in attack. Now he is out for an extended period with a broken arm.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Steve Price & Ruben Wiki v Shane Webcke & Petero Civoniceva
Brent Webb v Karmichael Hunt
Jerome Ropati v Darren Lockyer
LIKE TO SEE
The Warriors hit the field with the sort of intensity and energy they displayed against the Tigers a fortnight ago. They certainly have the talent in the forwards to really take the Broncos to the brink, but the mind is another matter.
WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
The Warriors attempt offloads in ridiculous situations. There is no logic to their passing at times and it's costing them valuable field position and possession.
WE THINK
The Warriors have a good recent record against Brisbane, beating them twice last year, but the Broncos are a far more discipline unit this year and their style of play should really frustrate a team like the Warriors. Look for Brisbane's pet second man play to cause trouble for the Warriors poor right side defence. Broncos by 14.
Warriors v Broncos
VENUE & TIME:Ericsson Stadium, Sunday - 12:00 AEST
HEAD TO HEAD:Played 19, Broncos 12, Warriors 7
COVERAGE:Fox Sports, ABC Radio
LAST TIME:Warriors 30 - Broncos 18 at Ericsson Stadium, round 16, 2005
WALKING WOUNDED
The Warriors have lost winger Todd Byrne for up to eight weeks with a broken arm, but second-rower Awen Guttenbiel will play after withdrawing late last week with a virus.
Broncos centre Justin Hodges tore a hamstring in Origin I and will miss 3-5 weeks as a result. His loss has been tempered slightly by the return of utility Casey McGuire (pec tear) at hooker. Experienced prop Shane Webcke made an earlier-than-expected return from a rib injury last week and got through the match unscathed. Second-rower Dane Carlaw requires another week to overcome a knee injury suffered in round six.
FORM
The biggest rule in rugby league tipping is to steer well clear of the Warriors after they've had a win and that proved a smart move again last week when they struggled to compete against the Sharks. Anyone who seriously thought the Warriors were back on track following their solid round 11 win over the Tigers, were given a quick remainder of the Kiwi-based side's chronic inconsistency in just the first minute of play against the Sharks when Nigel Vagana raced away for an easy try. They have only won back-to-back on three occasions since 2003.
The Broncos registered their 300th premiership win at the weekend when they comprehensively outplayed the Bulldogs. Brisbane has now won their last nine post-Origin encounters, completely dispelling the myth they struggle immediately after an Origin game. The win puts them on top of the ladder on percentages.
WHO'S HOT
Just when people were starting to think Shaun Berrigan's career as an elite NRL player was in decline, he produces a brilliant display in both attack and defence against the Bulldogs last week. He scored a try, made 13 tackle busts and 187 metres from 13 runs. But the most important facet to his game was his defence where he successfully kept opposite Sonny Bill Williams under control for the entire match.
WHO'S NOT
Warriors winger Todd Byrne. After scoring plenty of tries last year and really announcing himself as a quality first-grader, Byrne's career has taken a turn for the worst this season. He has been prone to error and is not making an impact in attack. Now he is out for an extended period with a broken arm.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Steve Price & Ruben Wiki v Shane Webcke & Petero Civoniceva
Brent Webb v Karmichael Hunt
Jerome Ropati v Darren Lockyer
LIKE TO SEE
The Warriors hit the field with the sort of intensity and energy they displayed against the Tigers a fortnight ago. They certainly have the talent in the forwards to really take the Broncos to the brink, but the mind is another matter.
WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
The Warriors attempt offloads in ridiculous situations. There is no logic to their passing at times and it's costing them valuable field position and possession.
WE THINK
The Warriors have a good recent record against Brisbane, beating them twice last year, but the Broncos are a far more discipline unit this year and their style of play should really frustrate a team like the Warriors. Look for Brisbane's pet second man play to cause trouble for the Warriors poor right side defence. Broncos by 14.
