Lance155
I had put a line through the sharks....all this talk of the Storm resting players in the last week is freaking me out
Miket12
Miket12
Rugby league: New Zealand Warriors face crucial NRL clash against Brisbane Broncos as top eight hopes increase
As the race for the final spots in the NRL top eight continues, so far this week everything is coming up Warriors.
Sitting two points outside of eighth place with three rounds to play, the Kiwi outfit are one of seven teams set to battle for the final two spots in the NRL playoffs. But with the Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans - both two points ahead of the Warriors – losing their games this weekend, the door is open for the Warriors to improve their claim.
The Warriors will meet the 15th-placed Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium tonight, before finishing the season with matches against the Raiders and Titans. With neither team picking up points this weekend, should the Warriors get past the constantly improving Broncos, they will end the weekend tied on points with the team in eighth, and in for two massive weeks.
"I think it's something you've got to tap in to," Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak said of the competitive run home.
"For me, it gives me that little bit extra knowing we're a chance to make the finals. I'm always glass half full so any time we have a chance, I'll take that."
The Warriors have struck a vein of form at the right time of the season, having won three games on the trot after losing their previous seven.
With the inconsistent nature of many teams in the NRL this year, that long lapse did not completely end the Warriors' playoff hopes and now they come into the final few outings playing with confidence.
"You could say we're on a little bit of a roll," Watene-Zelezniak said. "But, then again, you can't get complacent and just have to continue with our job. Those weeks are done and dusted, and we have a new job this week."
While the Broncos are out of the running for a spot in the playoffs, they have shown plenty of improvement over recent weeks and were unlucky not to beat the high-flying Sydney Roosters last weekend, going down by just one point, and are set up as a potential bump in the road for the playoff-hopeful Warriors, Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights in coming weeks.
"There's no easy games in the league these days. If you don't turn up to play the game, you could shoot yourself in the foot," noted Watene-Zelezniak. "So, that's a big one against the Broncos."
A real chance: Warriors face crucial clash as top eight hopes increase
The Warriors' NRL playoff hopes remain well and truly alive.
bruce
Contributor
Knights flying towards finals as Bulldogs seal spoon
Newcastle did only as much as was required to notch their fourth consecutive win, a scrappy 22-16 affair against Canterbury on the Gold Coast.
Are you changing your prediction Bruce?
Nah Bruce...they are still 14th on the ladder on PD, dunno why people get so excited
Five&Last
If Sharks beat the Storm (assuming they also win next week) then they go they go through regardless of our results.
We cannot make the top 8 - I am expecting the Sharks to get into the top 8 - Their last game against the Storm. I predict the storm to rest most of their players like last season. So picking the Sharks to beat them. But hey the Storm might still be on the winning streak and not want to lose it so they might pick a strong side and not rest their players. who can tell how this season will end up , But I am not expecting the Warriors to be in the 8. We will hopefully beat the Broncos today , But the Raiders next week might be too tough and the Titans in the last week. The way the Titans are going we could beat them but they also could put 30 points on us. They are such an unknown how they will go each week side
Miket12
I was wondering the same thing except Bellyache would love the idea of continuing his winning run not just for the regular season but also through into the Finals. I think he will rest a few players but still ensure they have enough firepower to beat the Sharks.
matiunz
snake77
A lot the debate was about beating the Raiders or Titans. Had to beat the Bulldogs and Broncos first.
I was worried about the Broncos as their form was improving. Kind like previous Warriors years when they are well out of finals contention and all of a sudden come good. 1999 the 42-0 win over the Knights who were in the 8 is a good example.
Bottom line too many close loses. Today was another one.
I was worried about the Broncos as their form was improving. Kind like previous Warriors years when they are well out of finals contention and all of a sudden come good. 1999 the 42-0 win over the Knights who were in the 8 is a good example.
Bottom line too many close loses. Today was another one.
kbazi
We can still technically make the finals
Rd 24
Rd 24
- Knights need to beat Titans
- Warriors need to beat Raiders
- Broncos need to beat Sharks
- Roosters need to beat Raiders
- Storm need to beat Shark
- Warriors need to beat Titans
Hadyn
I'm an optimistic guy....we can still make the 8 just need to win both games and hope the Sharks,Titans and Raiders lose their 2 games....which is actually likely if you look at their draws and assume that we are winning both ours.
Bronosccan do us a favour and continue their hot run of form and beat the Sharks next week.
Bronosccan do us a favour and continue their hot run of form and beat the Sharks next week.
snake77
The aim now should be to maintain their standards and continue improving.
They have been in every game this year bar a few against the better sides. Need to compete in the next two even if it means spoiling the oppositions chances.
They have been in every game this year bar a few against the better sides. Need to compete in the next two even if it means spoiling the oppositions chances.
JustVisiting82
The good thing is that if you look at each of those match-ups individually they're all results which could easily go the way we want them to. The thing that make it unlikely to happen is needing all 6 of them to go our way together. I'm still not ready to give up hoping for the miracle though!
Wigan Warrior
I thought last week that PD would be our undoing and that 60 point loss to Souths would finish us.
We just have to go and win our last 2 and hope.
Rick O'Shay
Contributor
Sup42
So you mean to tell me that I have to suffer through six games???
I will take the bullet.
Greenlite
I can’t believe we are still a chance, but I think they will lose one or both games now. It‘s about continuing to refine our play so the management can have a template to work on next year
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