Can the Warriors turn their wretched season around against stumbling Broncos? A trip across the Tasman greets the
Brisbane Broncos on Saturday where they have a tricky tie against a NZ Warriors outfit that have failed miserably so far in season 2016. The Warriors will be desperate to put some negative results behind them and register just their 5th win of the season. There has bee no less than 6 changes for the Kiwi's this week with the returns of
Manu Vatuvei and Solomon Kata the major ones. The heat is firmly on coach Andrew McFadden and with reports of infighting within the club, positive results have to come quickly or his future with the club is in doubt.
Brisbane on the other hand still sit firmly in the top 4 despite falling to their 4th loss of the season and their second loss on the trot. Their performance over the last two weeks has still been very solid but
Coach Wayne Bennett will be concerned with their inability to perform at the death and under pressure. [Wonder what cappy is going to be concerned with?

] They have a great opportunity to erase the demons of the past fortnight but will be up against it with the return of up to 4 state of origin stars and also traveling on the road. If Brisbane want to be the best in the NRL in 2016 this is the time of the year that they need to show fight and desire.With quality all over the park Brisbane go into this game as favourites and will be desperate to arrest their poor performances of late.
Last meeting: Round 2 2016 - Broncos 25 Warriors 10
Brisbane have won the past 3 matches against the Warriors including their last meeting at Mt Smart (24-16). However the Warriors did win the previous 4 clashes at home against the Broncos and have a formidable record at home against the Broncos. In 18 matches at
Mt Smart Stadium the Warriors lead the ledger 10-8.
Who to watch: For the home side they need to hit the ground running and it starts with talented Fullback
Tuimoala Lolohea. Since deputizing for the injured
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, he has been solid without being outsnading. At just 21 years of age, Lolohea has the ability to be one of the most dangerous ball returners in the NRL. Blessed with size and speed if Lolohea can find some space and exhibit his elusive footwork from the back, he can trouble the Brisbane Defence. With 3 tries, 4 try assists, 6 line breaks and 917 metres on the year Lolohea has some solid stats- look for him to improve on these on Saturday (especially his average of just 91 metres a game).
Look for the returning origin stars of Brisbane to have a big impact on Saturday.
Sam Thaiday is an absolute beast of a player and is one of the hardest workers in the Brisbane pack. A strong defender who has a great ability to read opposition attackers, Thaiday is invaluable to Brisbane's chances in securing another premiership. He is averaging 23 tackles a game, 8 hit ups and a solid 74 metres a game so far this season. Look for him to lead from the front for the Broncos on Saturday and expect to see more than a few crunching defensive hits by the curly headed machine.
The favourite: Brisbane are solid favourites in this one.
My tip: Despite being on the road, expect to see Brisbane bounce back in stylish fashion in this game. They have been close the last few games to only fall short in the last few minutes. The Warriors are an unpredictable team and will need to harness all of that unpredictability and skill on Saturday to cause the upset. Exciting game to look forward to this one and hopefully a high scorer for the fans in attendance.
Brisbane by 10.
1. Tuimoala Lolohea
2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford
4. Solomone Kata
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Thomas Leuluai
7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jacob Lillyman
9. Issac Luke
10. Ben Matulino
11. Bodene Thompson
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Nathaniel
Roache 15. Sam
Lisone 16. Albert Vete
17. Charlie Gubb
18. Ligi Sao
1. Darius Boyd
2. Lachlan Maranta
3. Jack Reed
4. James Roberts
5. Jordan Kahu
6. Anthony Milford
7. Ben Hunt
8. Josh McGuire
9. Travis Waddell
10. Adam
Blair 11. Alex Glenn
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace
15. Tevita Pangai Junior
16. Jo Ofanhengaue
17. Kodi Nikorima 18. Herman Essese
19. Jai Arrow