Nothing sums up the One New Zealand Warriors' heritage more than hosting the Brisbane Broncos at Go Media Stadium.
The traditional rivalry literally exploded on March 10, 1995 when Dean Bell led the original Auckland Warriors out of the tunnel at Ericsson Stadium.
And now the two protagonists are at it again in the club's 722nd game in the competition on a day when the Warriors need to rediscover their edge after a challenging week.
The club's heritage will be everywhere to see today, not least in the kit the Warriors will play in, a replica of their ever-popular 1995 away strip.
It will also be there to see with so many former players on hand for the Warriors' annual old boys' reunion. The ex-players will form a guard of honour for the Warriors when they come out for the warm-up and they'll also be presented to the crowd in the lead-up to the NRL contest,
As well as that, there'll be a strong heritage flavour in match day sponsor One New Zealand's halftime presentation.
But it will be all about the here and now for the 2024 One New Zealand Warriors.
This contest is a true test of their mettle as they look to put defeat behind them and bounce back against a Broncos side coming in fresh off a bye.
After entering the 2024 season as one of the premiership favourites, the Warriors have slumped to 14th position on the back of a 66-6 demolition at the hands of the Titans.
They're driven to restore pride in front of their loyal fans, who have turned up in enormous numbers all season, despite the fact the Warriors have won only two of six at Go Media Stadium.
The last time the sides clashed was in the 2023 preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium with the Broncos marching into the grand final on the back of a 42-12 victory.
Match: Warriors v Broncos
Round 17 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Broncos is number 1 Tristan Sailor
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Broncos is number 2 Jesse Arthars
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Roger Tuivasa-SheckCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Broncos is number 4 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Broncos is number 5 Deine Mariner
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire MartinHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Jock Madden
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Broncos is number 14 Tyson Smoothy
-
Prop for Warriors is number 12 Mitchell BarnettProp for Broncos is number 10 Xavier Willison
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 17 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jack Gosiewski
-
Lock for Warriors is number 15 Dylan WalkerLock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordInterchange for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 13 Tohu HarrisInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Fletcher Baker
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy LussickInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Josiah Karapani
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin Taupau
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 23 Moala Graham-TaufaReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Josh Rogers
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: No late changes expected. With halfback Shaun Johnson sidelined by an Achilles injury, Te Maire Martin takes over the No 7 jersey and Chanel Harris-Tavita comes in at standoff. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's return from suspension pushes out. After missing the humiliating loss to the Titans, NSW Blues 18th man Mitch Barnett and Maroons bench player Kurt Capewell have been named to play and are expected to back up.
Broncos: Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas all won't play after Origin II. That means Tristan Sailor will likely start at fullback, with Xavier Willison and Kobe Hetherington in the starting pack as per the side named earlier in the week.
Match: Warriors v Broncos
Round 17 -
home Team
Warriors
10th Position
away Team
Broncos
11th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won only two of their six games at Go Media Stadium this season.
- The Broncos have won three of their past four games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have conceded 104 points in their past two games.
- The Broncos have conceded 80 points in three consecutive losses.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored five tries in his past three games against the Broncos.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
