The Brisbane Broncos host the New Zealand Warriors – two sides experts have pencilled in for the grand final in 2016 – at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Join The Roar for all the action from 8pm (AEDT).
The Broncos were impressive in Round 1, out-classing the Eels in Parramatta. Their side has one change, with Jack Reed replacing Greg Eden, forcing Jordan Kahu onto the right wing.
Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford were outstanding last week and will look to build on a great start.
Fullback Darius Boyd was quiet in the season opener, but I’m tipping him to have a significant impact on tonight’s game, with a breathtaking match up against Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
The Warriors were disappointing against the Tigers last week, leaking far too many points and making silly errors.
Ben Henry, the unluckiest man in the NRL, is out this week, succumbing to yet another serious knee injury. Raymond Faitala-Mariner replaces him in the 17.
Issac Luke, Shaun Johnson and Tuivasa-Sheck need to be close to 100 per cent if the Warriors are any chance in Brisbane.
Prediction
After last week’s showings, it’s hard to go past the Broncos. They were very impressive against the Eels and with the addition of Jack Reed, I’m tipping they will outscore the Warriors tonight.
Broncos by 12
Parra
Guest
The Broncos easily won last night against a poorly coached warriors. They were only in second gear cruising to another win. Same last week against parra. Broncos are a quality team brilliantly coached. I wish parramatta were so lucky.
steveng
Roar Rookie
If any team wants to beat the Broncos they have to stop Corey Oates and that is where the Warriors went wrong last night, out wide. They were competitive till the second half and then they were outplayed and out muscled.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
But still managed to do a Klemmer and pat the ref. Not good for him.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I can almost remove Channel 9 from my TV set now. I only ever watched the station due to the League and Cricket. Now the League has gone to Fox, I can only pray that someone also takes the initiative and claims the cricket too. Agree with your above statements Gaz. The Broncs big men look super fit. They were my favourites, and most people's, heading into the season. Nothing has changed. Throw in the rails run with the scheduling (not their fault), and the fact they will rarely, if ever, play a team on a shorter turnaround, and it's almost a one horse (Bronco :) ) race in 2016.
Gaz
Roar Rookie
Channel nine ruled the airwaves on Friday night and called the shots and it was 'they' that wanted the Broncs to play at that time due to ratings etc. I wonder if that will now change due to Fox showing the game live and add free. Nine must be coping a real flogging with their seemingly endless adds during the game.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
invisible man reference? I like it haha He was very quiet but both of the back lines were to be fair
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Gaz - Brisbane in the box seat with their fair share of friday night footy, they will be hard to pin down
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
I agree there easgleJack. Penrith burnt out late, as did the Warriors. All that travel won't help either But in saying that losing 2 players will hurt any side with the new rules, maybe there needs to be compensation of some sort? As the year goes on and more injuries occur there will be times teams finish short, like Penrith almost did on Thursday
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Any truth to the rumour that during the game the part of Jamie Roberts was played by Claude Rains?
Gaz
Roar Rookie
It's amazing how the reduction in interchange is affecting our game. How important is the bench? When Thaiday came on the Broncos went up a gear. The good coaches will have already added a chapter to their coaching manual in this regard. Take a look at the body shape of front rowers Blair and McGuire for instance . It's going to be a fast and furious season with the fittest teams with the most switched on coaching staff rising to the top. But I agree, injury will be a leveler and those teams with the greatest turnaround time will be in the box seat.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
The Warriors were competitive for about 60 minutes last night but I can't understand some of the positional placements. Lolohea looked lost out on the wing and why is Ashford playing in the centres instead of Hurrell? No wonder the Broncos attacked that side all night.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
The Warriors step up in form always coincides with the Origin period. They are very rarely affected by it, so go on an unbeaten run, everybody sings their praises, before fading again revisiting their early season form once more. It will happen again this year.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I think we are also seeing the benefit of longer turnarounds between games. More so this year than ever, with the reduced interchange. Bulldogs and Broncos both had extra days recovery time over their opponents. Both also played at night while their opponents played during the heat of the day the week before Are the Broncos and Bulldogs vastly more fit than the Warriors and Panthers? Possibly. But I think the scheduling also aided them somewhat. It was always going to be tough for the Panthers to back up 5 days later after a brutally hot Canberra. Not taking away from either sides victory, but it is something to ponder.
Gaz
Roar Rookie
Think it shows the difference between somewhere fit teams and exceptionally fit teams. Broncs were always going to win in the end. Warriors put up a good show but not professional enough at the minute.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
well there's talk Lolohea should play 6, he's the young bloke on the wing currently, he's played test matches for NZ at 6 so why not throw him in
Muzz
Guest
Should've kept Townsend. Who was the young lad that played at the backend of last season?
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
he is old I guess. Who would you throw in there?
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Agree Sponge. I could really do without his histrionics in the play the ball, but he's my ideal type of fullback. Triple threat on those blocks, so dangerous. Only a few fullbacks in the comp have the same skill set...Inglis is fortunate he's just bigger and faster than just about everyone else...but still has to have a fire lit under him for involvements.
Muzz
Guest
He always looks weary and off the pace at the back end of games.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
I like your thinking there Dean, but I think it's mental. Compare them to say the Raiders, the Warriors 'know' they can win 8 in a row to make the semis, the Raiders 'know' they need to start strongly to make the 8. The attitude just is not good enough to compete for 26 rounds I wish I could put my finger on it, I'd probably by rich if I could provide the reason!