By Peter Jessup
There was some good news for the Auckland Warriors yesterday when Broncos try-scoring centre Steve Renouf was ruled out of the game at Brisbane on Saturday with a recurring leg injury.
Renouf was carted from the field in the 24th minute of Brisbane's 42-10 demolition of Balmain at the
weekend. Medics yesterday determined that he had repeated a high ankle strain suffered early in the season and ruled him out for three weeks. His place will be taken by Shaun Berrigan, a 21-year-old halfback from the local comp.
Kevin Walters (hamstring) and Gorden Tallis (shoulder) were both carrying bruising injuries from the weekend but both trained yesterday and both are expected to play.
Just one month ago the Broncos struggled to get over Balmain 12-10, the 30-point improvement and a six-from-six record since then ominous signs for Auckland.
At Ericsson, Mark Graham was not able to consider Cliff Beverley (ankle), while Joe Galuvao remains in doubt with his hamstring tear and Ali Lauitiiti is bracketed with Tony Tatupu on the bench.
Auckland Warriors: Lee Oudenryn, Odell Manuel, Boycie Nelson, Nigel Vagana, Sean Hoppe, John Simon (c), Stacey Jones, Joe Vagana, Robert Mears, Terry Hermansson, Logan Swann, Talite Liava'a, Jason Death; interchange Shane Endacott, Jerry Seu Seu, Peter Lewis, Joe Galuvao, Ali Lauitiiti/Tony Tatupu.
Brisbane Broncos: Darren Lockyer, Michael Hancock, Shaun Berrigan, Tonie Carroll, Wendell Sailor, Kevin Walters (c), Ben Walker, Shane Webcke, Luke Priddis, Andrew Gee, Gorden Tallis, Brad Thorn, Kevin Campion; interchange Shane Walker, Petero Civoniceva, Lote Tuqiri, Peter Ryan.
