Brisbane wary of Warriors finish

The knives may have come out for the way the Warriors started their NRL season opener.

But Brisbane fear they’ll be the ones carved up if they don’t finish strongly against the maligned Kiwi side in Friday night’s Suncorp Stadium clash.

Broncos No.7 Ben Hunt admits his side ran out of puff in their season opening win in Parramatta as they struggled to adjust to the new interchange rules.

Hunt said Brisbane could not make the same mistake against a Warriors line-up boasting the likes of Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke.

The star studded Warriors came under fire after a woeful start in which they trailed 28-4 at halftime against the lowly Wests Tigers.

They stormed back to at one stage pile on three tries in nine minutes before the Tigers sealed a 34-26 win.

Hunt said Brisbane were wary of another strong Warriors finish after their less than convincing late effort against the Eels.

“I felt the last 20 minutes both sides really fell off the pace a bit,” Hunt said of their 17-4 win in Parramatta.

“It’s just getting used to the new interchange rule.

“They (Warriors) have got the players to take advantage of a few tired forwards.

“Issac Luke, Tuivasa-Sheck and Johnson – if you have some tired forwards around the ruck they are really going to hurt you.”

Hunt wasn’t sure what was more daunting – tackling fullback Tuivasa-Sheck or livewire half Johnson.

“It’s pretty hard to get a hold of either of them – probably Tuivasa-Sheck,” he said.

“He was the best fullback in the competition last year.

“He brings the ball back so well and chimes into the backline really well.

“He’s got good footwork. He can beat you anywhere.”

Then again, Hunt reckoned he also had some tricks up his sleeve.

The halfback said he would continue to run the ball, a lesson first rammed home by Brisbane assistant Kevin Walters last year before he left to become Queensland coach.

“That is something the he drummed into me and Milf (halves partner Anthony Milford) – the more we take the line on the better it will be for us,” Hunt said.

“We looked at a lot of video and the more we can do it, it definitely helps the team.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!