All you need to know ahead of the NRL preliminary final match between the Warriors and Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
How the sides line up
Warriors:
1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Rocco Berry
4 Adam Pompey
5 Marcelo Montoya
6 Te Maire Martin
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Addin Fonua-Blake
9 Wayde Egan
10 Mitchell Barnett
11 Jackson Ford
12 Marata Niukore
13 Tohu Harris (c)
Interchange
14 Dylan Walker
15 Jazz Tevaga
16 Bayley Sironen
17 Josh Curran
Head coach
Andrew Webster
Broncos:
1 Reece Walsh
2 Jesse Arthars
3 Kotoni Staggs
4 Herbie Farnworth
5 Selwyn Cobbo
6 Ezra Mam
7 Adam Reynolds
8 Thomas Flegler
9 Billy Walters
10 Payne Haas
11 Kurt Capewell
12 Jordan Riki
13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
14 Tyson Smoothy
15 Brendan Piakura
16 Kobe Hetherington
17 Keenan Palasia
Coach
Kevin Walters
Match Officials
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Who, what when?
What’s on: Warriors v Broncos
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
When is kick-off time? 9.50pm Saturday NZT
What’s on the line? After the confusion of elimination, qualifying and semi-finals - it’s simple now. Win and you play in the grand final.
Talking points
Shaun Johnson is less of a talking point this week after his dazzling performance against the Knights. His calf is healed to the point at which he can play - whether he is 100% fit won’t stop him from taking the field - in his words “you can’t miss it”. From one star of the game to another, we arrive at Reece Walsh. His transition from up-and-comer to genuine superstar has been a thing of beauty for Broncos fans this season, perhaps less so for the Warriors faithful. It’s a quality conversation starter this week - does Walsh sink the Warriors’ hopes? Or does the club that gave him his first real go in the NRL get one back after he decided not to commit to New Zealand permanently?
Another former Warrior - that term is used with a certain degree of editorial license as he never signed a contract with the club, rather trialled as a teenager - is Payne Haas. He and Addin Fonua-Blake are the front runners for the NRL’s best prop this year and Saturday will be an epic battle of the big units.
The weather
22C, mostly fine with a smattering of clouds is forecast for Brisbane. A low of 13C is expected during the evening.
Where can I watch the game that isn’t my own couch?
Go Media Stadium’s Lilyworld Garden Bar will be screening the match on a giant digital screen this. The Warriors might be in Australia, but you are still able to enjoy the game at the fortress. Lilyworld Garden Bar will be open from 10am. Warriors members are encouraged to contact the bar and book a table.
TAB odds
Warriors: $3.65
Broncos: $1.27
How to follow the action
Live updates on NZ Herald.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 4 and live streaming on Sky Sport Now; an alternative commentary option from the Alternative Commentary Collective is available on SKY Sport 9.