By PETER JESSUP
Confidence will be the key for the Warriors from now until the end of the NRL season, something they've had only in patches but can't be without if they are to record any more wins.
The Brisbane Broncos, who face the home side at Ericsson Stadium on Saturday night, will be brimming with confidence after winning five matches on the trot, including a hard-fought overtime victory away to the Sharks last weekend.
The return of skipper Monty Betham in his more familiar and comfortable role at lock should boost the Warriors' performance.
Recovered from a knee injury, Betham should improve the marking around the ruck and stiffen the defence.
Vinnie Anderson returns to the right centre position and his younger brother Louis stays at hooker, a mark of his progress.
Tony Martin and Clinton Toopi are back after injury problems kept them out of the one-point loss in Canberra, and Jerry Seuseu should be keen after seven weeks on the sideline through suspension.
Epalahame Lauaki is the only injury problem, but he sits on a six-man bench yet to be culled to four and might be lucky to make the 17.
It appears coach Tony Kemp has gone for size and power all round, not least on the bench where all six are forwards.
The Warriors can't afford any silly mistakes on Saturday, the Broncos are simply too good not to capitalise.
The most dangerous of the Brisbane visitors are their sparkling backs Darren Lockyer and Karmichael Hunt, though Hunt also offers a weakness in defence. He's tough and confident in accepting kicks , but can be pressed to positional lapses.
The Broncos have been juggling their line-up because of injury, with hooker Michael Ryan ruled out until the finals series after he suffered a knee injury during the last minutes of the 16-12 overtime win last weekend.
Wings Stu Kelly and Scott Minto have been out with neck strains, but are expected to pass fitness tests and return this weekend.
The bye has not been the bogey this year that it was when first introduced and the Warriors will hopefully have taken time to recuperate.
A reinvigorated side should be aiming to get out of wooden spoon territory and have some impact on the formation of the playoff eight.
* Warriors vs Broncos, Ericsson Stadium, Saturday, 7.30pm
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