Round 17: Brisbane Broncos vs New Zealand Warriors

[DIEHARD]

Brisbane Broncos vs New Zealand Warriors

Friday July 3, 2009 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (QLD)

Brisbane Broncos
1. Karmichael Hunt, 2. Antonio Winterstein, 3. Steve Michaels, 4. Justin Hodges, 5. Israel Folau, 6. Darren Lockyer [c], 7. Peter Wallace, 8. Josh McGuire, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Joel Clinton, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Corey Parker.

Subs: 14. Guy Williams, 15. Lagi Setu, 16. Tonie Carroll, 17. Josh Hoffman, 18. Dave Taylor (one to be omitted).

New Zealand Warriors
1. Wade McKinnon, 2. Kevin Locke, 3. Jerome Ropati, 4. Joel Moon, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Stacey Jones, 8. Sam Rapira, 9. Ian Henderson, 10. Steve Price [c], 11. Simon Mannering, 12. Lewis Brown, 13. Micheal Luck.

Subs: 14. Aaron Heremaia, 15. Jesse Royal, 16. Ben Matulino, 17. Jacob Lillyman, 18. Patrick Ah Van, 19. Russell Packer (two to be omitted).

[DIEHARD]

Shock selection with TC playing THIS Friday.

[DIEHARD]

Broncos v Warriors
Suncorp Stadium Friday 7:30pm

Brisbane will be hoping the return of former international Tonie Carroll ? as well as Queensland stars Israel Folau and Justin Hodges ? will end a worrying four-game losing streak when they face the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.

After being dumped out of the top eight for the first time this year, Broncos coach Ivan Henjak has reacted by making five changes to the side that went down 21-14 to Parramatta last Sunday.

Folau takes his place on the wing, forcing young Dale Copley back to the NYC, while Hodges? return from a knee injury sees Alex Glenn move into the back row.

Josh McGuire shifts to prop for the injured Nick Kenny, who faces six weeks on the sideline with a medial ligament strain.

Carroll will make his comeback from the bench alongside Lagi Setu, with Ashton Sims and Aaron Gorrell being sent to the Queensland Cup.

Youngster Josh Hoffman has also been named on an extended bench as cover for Karmichael Hunt, who has been cleared of an ankle injury sustained in their loss to the Eels.

The Broncos are equal 6th but occupy 9th spot on the ladder courtesy of a poor for-and-against record. A win here will help distance them from a pack that includes the Cowboys, Sea Eagles, and the Panthers all sitting on 18 points.

The 11th-placed Warriors, however, are three points adrift of the top eight and may struggle to keep pace with another loss.

Coach Ivan Cleary has made just one change to the side that fell 28-12 to the Titans last Friday: Jerome Ropati takes the place of Patrick Ah Van, who has been named alongside Russell Packer on a six-man bench.

Souths and Parramatta are beside New Zealand on 15 points, meaning another loss and it?s likely to be curtains for the Warriors in 2009.

Other than playmaker Nathan Fien - who wasn?t considered after signing with the Dragons mid-week - only Brent Tate sits on the sidelines, while Brisbane?s Ben Te?o will return from suspension next week.

Watch out Broncos: Much has been made about the vulnerable defence of Darren Lockyer, but statistics continue to warrant the criticism. Lockyer missed four tackles against the Eels last Friday, and is fourth for most missed tackles in the competition with 58.

More concerning, however, is how contagious the problem is becoming, with the Broncos averaging a league-worst 43.7 missed tackles per game. Also guilty are fellow State of Origin representatives Peter Wallace (56) and Sam Thaiday (51). And even when the Broncos do tackle, it seems they can?t wrap up the ball, giving up another league-worst 14.5 offloads a game.

Expect the likes of Wade McKinnon and Lance Hohaia ? who have 65 and 54 line breaks respectively ? to be directed towards Brisbane?s little men.

Watch out Warriors: Although Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace form the backbone of Brisbane?s structure, fullback Karmichael Hunt has this year led the club creating opportunities for his team-mates.

The Queensland representative has 16 try assists (2nd in the NRL) and 12 line-break assists (4th in the NRL) ? more than the New Zealand halves have combined. Stacey Jones and Lance Hohaia only have 10 try assists and 6 line breaks between them.

Where it will be won: On New Zealand?s goal line. The Warriors? defence has been fairly solid all year but if Ivan Cleary?s men can stop Brisbane's highly rated backline from scoring, then they?ll keep the vultures circling around Ivan Henjak and his five losses in a row.

But saying it is far easier than doing it. For four years NSW have struggled to contain Folau, Hodges, Lockyer and Hunt. Now that the Broncos have their star players back, as well as the evergreen Tonie Carroll, what chance do the Warriors have?

The history: Played 24; Broncos 15, Warriors 9. The two early season favourites have split their past eight clashes, with the Broncos winning their most recent clash 26-10 in Round 3 in New Zealand.

The last time halfback Stacey Jones played for the Warriors at Suncorp, he notched a Warriors? record 16 points against the Brisbane by kicking a perfect six from six to go with his try. The Warriors won 24-12.

Conclusion: The Broncos will be buoyed by the return of Tonie Carroll, who Henjak says will provide experience, stability and toughness. Having Folou and Hodges come back from injury will also allow Brisbane to go back to a familiar structure in attack and defence.

After the Warriors? magical run to last year?s semi-final, they have since battled to find the consistency needed to maintain a top-eight spot. Expect a more spirited performance, but Henjak will have his charges primed for a return to the winner?s circle in front of their home crowd.

Match officials: Referees ? Jared Maxwell & Bernard Sutton; Sideline Officials ? Jeff Younis & Phil Haines; Video Ref ? Steve Clark.

Televised: Channel Nine ? Live 7.30pm (Qld), delayed 9.30pm (NSW).

Source: http://www.nrl.com

[Adelaide Titan]

Shock selection with TC playing THIS Friday.

Yeah i didnt see that one coming. LEts be honest, this wont be the best game and both teams are in crap form. Brisbane i think will win but only coz they are at home and usually get a great crowd to back them

[Paul]

Joel Clinton will be a very sore boy the next week or so,he gor PWNED by Lillyman then knocked into next month by Ropati,It was sickening watching him convulsing on the ground


and holy crap How good is Kevin locke? his run out of goal in the first half was amazing

[Steve]

Ropati on Clinton was awesome! I love big hits. He looked like he'll be okay.

The warriors looked a good chance of winning, pity they couldn't hold on.

[Cowboy Titan]

Clinton and Folau taken to hospital

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/...spital-2827031

Joel Clinton and Israel Folau were taken to hospital for x-rays after Brisbane ended their four-game losing streak with a 28-14 win over the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Prop Clinton, who had facial x-rays on Friday night, was taken from the field with his neck in a brace after being knocked unconscious for several minutes in a sickening head clash with Warriors centre Jerome Ropati in the 74 minute.

He had earlier been hit high in a tackle by Warriors replacement forward Jacob Lillyman.

Folau will have x-rays on his right ankle on Friday night and an MRI scan on Saturday after twisting his ankle in the first minute of the second half.

His injury forced centre Justin Hodges, who was suffering from mild concussion, to come back into the game earlier than expected.

The Warriors led 8-4 at halftime and the game was locked up at 14-all when Brisbane back-rower Lagi Setu reached out for a try in the 57th minute.

Tries to winger Antonio Winterstein and centre Steve Michaels right on fulltime complete Brisbane's win.

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There were unconfirmed reports Clinton had to have a tube put in his throat on the field.

He was motionless for several minutes and left the field on a medicab with his face covered in blood but raised his arms to show fans he was alright.

The match featured a successful comeback by veteran enforcer Tonie Carroll, the 33 year-old making 15 hit ups and 125 metres and providing Brisbane's pack with some intimidation.

It also produced a stunning performance from South Sydney-bound prop Dave Taylor whose straight running tore holes in the Warriors defence.

Taylor's performance may just have been good enough to make Queensland selectors, looking for replacements for injured props Petero Civoniceva and Ben Hannant, throw his name in the hat.

"I've been wanting to play a game like that for a long time now," said Taylor, who has spent more time in the Queensland Cup than in the NRL this season because of weight and fitness issues.

"I don't read the papers and I keep away from listening to all that stuff (about Origin).

"It's good feedback here with blokes giving you raps.

"My focus is being consistent with the Broncos, I'm not worried about Origin, I'd love to be there but to play consistent for the Broncos is what I want to do."

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary rued his players' failure to finish off attacking moves, especially in the first half when they murdered two tries.

"That's the NRL mate, we've got to be a bit better than that."

Broncos counterpart Ivan Henjak said a few Broncos had played their best games of the season, including Taylor and Langi Setu.

"I don't care where he's been hiding as long as he keeps it up," said Henjak about Taylor's barnstorming game.

"He was fresh and full of running, he was enormous.

"He played a lot of minutes and quality minutes."