Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scores a try during the NRL preliminary final against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Photo: Dave Hunt/photosport
Warriors v Broncos
Kickoff: 5pm, Saturday 29 June NZT
Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Describing this Warriors season as a rollercoaster would be nothing short of an understatement, as the team looks to bounce back from what was possibly the worst performance in the club's entire history.
With the Broncos coming in fresh of a bye round, it won't make things any easier for the Warriors, with the only silver lining being the visitors missing their State of Origin stars.
Andrew Webster is adamant the Warriors can still make a push towards the finals but says they desperately need to find their pride again.
But without star playmaker Shaun Johnson, who's facing a month on the sideline, it's not going to be easy. This is a do or die game for the club.
Warriors head coach Andrew Webster during the NRL Round 2 match between the Melbourne Storm and the New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park in Melbourne. Photo: Photosport
Here's a look at the teams:
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Kolkstad 2. Dallin Watten-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Mitch Barnett 13. Tohu Harris (c)
Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Kurt Capewell
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Kobę Hetherington
Interchange: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau
Warriors selections
Kurt Capewell of the Warriors. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Chanel Harris-Tavita pairs up with Te Maire Martin in the halves, a combination that's proved more than worthy in the past.
Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett also return from State of Origin duties to give the Warriors' forward pack a much-needed boost.
Broncos selections
Ezra Mam of the Broncos Photo: PAT HOELSCHER
It's hard to get a good read on the Broncos line-up, with the likes of former Warriors Reece Walsh and key forwards Payne Hass and Patrick Carrigan being called up for Origin.
A lot will rest on Ezra Mam's shoulders, while Selwyn Cobbo has moved into centre.
Past results
Warriors 22 - 26 Broncos
Warriors 12 - 42 Broncos (prelim final)
The Warriors came so close to mounting a last-minute comeback against the Broncos early last season in Napier, being denied a try at the end of the game that would have given them an opportunity at a conversion to win the game.
But the one we all remember from last year is the fateful preliminary final match that ended the most triumphant season in the Warriors' modern-day history, falling short in the big dance as the Broncos streaked away to win 42 - 12.
Prediction
Bizarrely enough, this season the Warriors have done extremely well against top-tier opponents after being under pressure off the back of tough losses - and they've also done extremely well without Shaun Johnson in the line-up.
With the Broncos potentially suffering the loss of a few key players off the back of State of Origin on Wednesday night, the game really does have the potential to swing either way.
The Warriors will be looking to restore some pride to a club that's clearly hurting at this point, and, with their season hanging in the balance once again. anything short of a win will start to ring some serious alarm bells at Mt Smart, with the future of some key players hanging in the balance.
