League: Stephen Kearney shows faith in Warriors to bounce back

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has resisted the urge to wield the selection axe after his side's disappointing loss to Penrith last week.

Kearney has made three changes to his side for Sunday's round 18 encounter with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Winger Ken Maumalo has been forced out with a knee injury and has been replaced by Gerard Beale while Joseph Vuna and Anthony Gelling have been brought onto the bench.

Despite a horror showing on defense last week Peta Hiku has been retained in the centres. The former Manly and Penrith player was targeted by the Panthers and came up with nine missed tackles.

Kearney is renowned for showing faith in his players and has backed the Kiwi international to bounce back this week.

"I think the important part is to look at the immediate and that is the Broncos this week especially after a poor performance last week," Kearney told Radio Sport.

"We just weren't good enough when we needed to be. We weren't prepared to stay in the fight long enough. That has happed a couple of times to us this year.

"For the first time this season we have put back to back losses together.

"It is really important to own our performance."

Beale will make his third start of the season having come off the bench last week. Gelling comes back onto the bench having played against the Sharks a fortnight ago. The 20-year-old Vuna makes his second appearance of the season having made his first grade debut against the Melbourne Storm on Anzac Day.

Ligi Sao and Karl Lawton are included on an extended bench along with Blake Ayshford and Mason Lino.

The Broncos and Warriors have identical 10-6 win-loss records after 17 rounds. They're among four teams on 22 points with seventh-placed Brisbane (-6) just ahead of the Warriors (-10) on points for and against differential.

The Sydney Roosters and Cronulla are also on 22 points with Melbourne (third) and Penrith (fourth) just two points ahead and South Sydney (first) and St George Illawarra (second) two points further away on 26. Canberra (ninth) and Wests Tigers (10th) are six points back on 16.