Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 6 match is between New Zealand Warriors and Brisbane Broncos. The opening kick is set to commence at 15:00 local time with the game to be played at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland. The home team New Zealand Warriors are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between New Zealand Warriors and Brisbane Broncos.
When: 15:00 | Saturday 14/04/2018
Where: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Preview:
I really think it’s great for our game to have the boys over the ditch to be going so well and also because a good friend of mine in Stephen Kearney is steering the ship.
What a turnaround it has been for them.
They’re playing a very controlled game with some of the new faces having a huge impact that looks to revitalise the guys that have been there.
They are a big mobile and skilful team that is dialled in.
It’s a real hard one for me to see the Broncos struggling with their results this year.
What better way to gain some confidence in beating the team that five teams before have failed to do.
Although a lot has been made of the lack of attacking flair form the Brisbane team, I think it’s not far away from getting better.
Attack is a by-product of hard work put in on all effort-based defensive areas.
That’s why we are seeing the like of the Tigers playing so well.
Turn in an 80min performance of relentless defence and the attack will follow.
KEY BATTLE: Corey Oates v Ken Maumalo
Can’t wait to see the battle of the Giants.
By that I mean 23-year-old Corey Oates (192cm, 105kg) against 23-year-old Ken Maumalo (191cm, 105kg), battling it out.
Two real powerhouse wingers of our comp.
Flip a coin on who wins this battle and if stats are anything, they’re dead even.
The Verdict
Sticking with my heart for this one.
The Broncos have a 4-6 (40.0 percent) O/U record playing interstate in day matches since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
New Zealand Warriors at $1.50
Brisbane Broncos at $2.63
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: New Zealand Warriors at $1.45
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Shaun Johnson at $15.00
More Info:
Teams:
New Zealand Warriors:
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2 David Fusitua, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Bunty Afoa, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Leivaha Pulu, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Adam Blair. Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Sam Lisone, 16 Simon Mannering, 17 Anthony Gelling. Reserves: 18 Mason Lino, 20 Chris Satae, 21 Isaiah Papali’I, 22 Sam Cook.
Brisbane Broncos:
1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jack Bird, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Tevita Pangai jnr, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Matt Gillett, 13 Josh McGuire. Interchange: 14 Sam Thaiday, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Jaydn Su’A. Reserves: 18 Tom Opacic, 19 Troy Dargan, 20 Sam Tagataese, 21 Payne Haas.
NRL News:
The Warriors have continued their stunning opening to the NRL season, downing North Queensland 22-12 in Auckland, with winger David Fusitu’a grabbing two tries.
Skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and his men have taken the club’s best start to a campaign to 5-0, staying with St George Illawarra as the competition’s only unbeaten teams.
Unfancied by many pundits at the beginning of 2018, the Warriors are firming as favourites to make their first finals appearance since 2011.
They again demonstrated their new-found defensive resilience on Saturday night against the Cowboys. Last year’s grand finalists have lost four in a row.
They also had plenty of hard-running from their outside backs, with Fusitu’a, Peta Hiku, Solomone Kata and Ken Maumalo all racking up more than 120 metres, with Maumalo leading the way with 159.
Halfback Shaun Johnson showed little effects of the groin injury, that sidelined him from last weekend’s win over the Sydney Roosters, by landing all five shots at goal.
In front of 25,600 fans, the Warriors’ win was set up by a fast start that shot them out to an 18-0 lead in the first half.
Maumalo finished off a Kata break with a leaping touchdown after just five minutes, before Fusitu’a followed up with a double on the other flank.
The first came from a superb Johnson pass, before some slick passing set up Fusitu’a’s second of the night and his seventh of the season.
North Queensland finally scored close to halftime, with winger Kyle Feldt producing an acrobatic put-down.
The Cowboys continued to ask questions through the second half, and eventually found a way midway through the spell via fullback Ben Hampton.
Star half Johnathan Thurston, who had helped set up the try, landed his second sideline conversion to close the gap to eight.
However, Johnson had the final say, kicking a late penalty goal.
