SATURDAY, APRIL 19th, 2025
Warriors v Broncos
Go Media Stadium, Auckland, NZ 5:30PM
Warriors and Broncos Set for Easter Saturday Clash After Tough Losses
The Warriors and Broncos are out to rebound from last-start losses when they face off in an Easter Saturday showdown in Auckland.
Andrew Webster’s men endured a torrid road trip to Melbourne last weekend, where they fell to the Storm for the 17th-straight time.
The Warriors are hopeful a return home will provide the boost they need as they look to extend their undefeated record at Go Media Stadium this season. Centre Adam Pompey is set to play his 100th NRL game in the clash and is eyeing a win to celebrate the milestone.
The loss of James Fisher-Harris (pectoral) brings Jackson Ford into the front row and Jacob Laban onto the bench. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has entered the concussion protocols so Taine Tuaupiki moves to No.1 and Ed Kosi comes in on the wing. Rocco Berry’s one-game ban sees Kurt Capewell shift to centre and Leka Halasima join the starting side in the back row. Te Maire Martin has been added to the bench for his first game of the season.
Warriors
1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark Bench: 14. Bunty Afoa 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Te Maire Martin Reserves: 18. Tanah Boyd 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith 21. Samuel Healey 22. Freddy Lussick 23. Morgan Harper
Riki Returns to Reinforce Broncos’ Physical Edge in Auckland Battle
After serving a two-game suspension, Jordan Riki has been named straight back into the starting side and is determined to deliver the increased physicality coach Michael Maguire is demanding from the Broncos.
Riki was sidelined last week after accepting a ban for a careless high tackle, forced to watch from the stands as Brisbane were overpowered by the Roosters in a surprise defeat. Following the match, Maguire admitted his team “didn’t turn up physical enough”.
The Broncos will now aim to secure their first win in Auckland since a gritty 8-2 victory back in 2019.
Broncos
1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington Bench: 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Tyson Smoothy Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Martin Taupau 20. Jock Madden 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Blake Mozer
Referee: Chris Butler Touchies: Michael Wise, Daniel Luttringer Bunker: Kasey Badger
Prediction
The Warriors were left reeling by the Storm’s blistering pace last week and could find themselves in a similar predicament against a fast and physical Broncos outfit.
Brisbane, for their part, delivered a lacklustre performance in their loss to the Roosters—a game many expected them to win.
With the Warriors showing inconsistency from week to week and the Broncos also revealing some vulnerabilities, it’s hard to predict which version of each side will show up. This clash could go either way, depending on who finds their rhythm early.
One thing going in the Warriors’ favour: they’ve won both of their home games at Go Media Stadium so far in 2025.
Key Stats
The Broncos have won three of their past four games played in New Zealand.
Warriors centre Ali Leiataua has scored four tries in four games at Go Media Stadium.
Broncos winger Jesse Arthars has scored nine tries in his past seven NRL appearances.
Warriors winger Adam Pompey will play his 100th NRL game.
Broncos should be too good here ,but do not under estimate the sold out home crowd for the Warriors.
Roosters v Panthers
Allianz Stadium, Sydney 7:35 pm
Roosters Eye Second Victory Over Penrith in Five Weeks
The Roosters are returning home full of confidence as they aim for their second win over Penrith in just five weeks.
The Penrith Panthers have yet to win since their trip to Las Vegas, with the Round 2 loss to the Roosters marking the start of a five-game losing streak. As defending champions, they are desperate to break this losing run.
Meanwhile, the Roosters have had an up-and-down season but regained some momentum with an unexpected victory over the Broncos last weekend.
This Saturday, the challenge for the Roosters is to keep that momentum going at home and secure a second win over Penrith this season.
The Round 2 victory was the Roosters’ first win over Penrith since 2019, and a win this weekend would mark the first time since 2015 that they have beaten Penrith twice in one season.
Mark Nawaqanitawase returns from a calf injury to fill in for the suspended Billy Smith. Additionally, after returning from a cheekbone injury via the bench last week, Victor Radley will start at lock.
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Nat Butcher 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Chad Townsend 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Taylor Losalu
Cleary and Yeo Aim to Lead Panthers Out of Slump, with Cleary Closing in on Club Record
Co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo are determined to use their extensive experience to help lift the team out of a slump not seen at the foot of the mountains since 2019.
Cleary needs just four points to break Ryan Girdler’s club record of 1,572 points and end the Penrith legend’s 21-year reign as the club’s all-time leading scorer.
Hooker Mitch Kenny returns from a shoulder injury to strengthen the forward pack, while Casey McLean and Luke Garner form a new center pairing, with Izack Tago moving to the bench and Thomas Jenkins taking a spot on the wing. Jack Cole has been named in the reserves as he looks to return from a concussion.
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Luke Garner 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Liam Henry 17. Izack Tago Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Jack Cole
Referee: Gerard Sutton Touchies: Drew Oultram, Jon Stone Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
Prediction
The Roosters played with extra enthusiasm last week to secure a surprise victory over the Broncos. In contrast, the Panthers were a mere shadow of themselves in their loss to the Dolphins. The reigning champions have completely lost their confidence, with their defense crumbling and their creativity stifled. Should we back them to bounce back and beat the inconsistent Roosters this time? Either way, it’s about time the Panthers get back to winning.
I like the Roosters especially with a 5.5 point start @ $1.70
Key Stats
The Roosters are aiming for two wins in a season against the Panthers for the first time in a decade.
The Panthers have won two from two at the new Allianz Stadium.
Roosters winger Dominic Young has scored 16 tries in 13 games at Allianz Stadium.
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary requires four points to break the club’s all-time scoring record.
A Roosters victory will give coach Trent Robinson his 200th win as NRL coach.
Check out Sunday’s games here!
Comments