McLean Park will play host to Saturday's Round 13 NRL game between New Zealand Warriors and Brisbane Broncos. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with New Zealand Warriors heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the New Zealand Warriors vs. Brisbane Broncos game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday May 27, 2023 at 5:30 pm

Where: McLean Park

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New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos Odds

New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos Preview

The Warriors will play in Napier for the first time, taking their home game against the depleted Brisbane Broncos to the central North Island city as they look to may hay during the State of Origin period.

The Warriors put an 11-day, three-game minefield that resulted in tough, controversial losses to the Storm, Roosters and Panthers behind them with a comfortable 24-12 win over the Bulldogs in Sydney before last weekend’s bye.

Shaun Johnson’s immaculate kicking game, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s stability at fullback and powerful engine-room displays from Addin Fonua-Blake and Tohu Harris were the difference in an otherwise clunky attacking performance.

The Origin interruption takes some attention away from the fact the former competition-leading Broncos have lost three of their last four, going down 24-16 in Melbourne and 15-4 at home to Penrith in the last two rounds.

The Broncos are contributing five players to the Origin opener: Reece Walsh (denying a mouth-watering clash with his former club), Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobbo and Thomas Flegler.

Tristan Sailor will make his club debut at fullback, while Deine Mariner comes onto the wing.

Starting prop Keenan Palaisa and interchange pair Brendan Piakura and Xavier Willison are the new forwards.

Meanwhile, Kurt Capewell has been named despite an injury concern reportedly being behind his Origin omission and Adam Reynolds returns from a head knock.

The Warriors’ tough run of injury luck continues with Wayde Egan and Dylan Walker ruled out.

Bayley Sironen and Demitric Sifakula come onto the bench, while livewire Luke Metcalf comes in for a club debut at five-eighth.

The Broncos have won their last two against the Warriors in New Zealand, but the Warriors have a strong record of beating up on Origin-depleted Broncos sides – racking up 18-point home wins in 2016-17, as well as a memorable 56-18 victory at Suncorp in 2013.

The Warriors prevailed 20-6 at Redcliffe in their sole meeting last year. Meanwhile, Andrew Webster’s side chipped away at a notoriously poor record at alternate New Zealand venues with a Round 1 win over Newcastle in Wellington.

The key for the Warriors is getting on top during Addin Fonua-Blake’s opening stint against a Broncos pack down on their three best middle forwards.

If the visitors can weather the early storm they’re a big chance – and there are a couple of favourable match-ups out wide for the Broncos – but if Johnson gets a decent platform he’ll steer the Warriors home.

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New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos Tip

New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos Teams

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Bayley Sironen 15. Josh Curran 16. Demitric Sifakula 17. Tom Ale 18. Ronald Volkman 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Kalani Going 23. Zyon Maiu’u

Broncos team: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Billy Walters 10. Corey Jensen 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Xavier Willison 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Martin Taupau 18. Jock Madden 19. Tyson Smoothy 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Israel Leota 22. Benjamin Te Kura