SYDNEY - The New Zealand Warriors will face a Brisbane Broncos side motivated by their two most galling defeats of the National Rugby League season when the teams meet on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
Both sides will have seven players involved in tonight's New Zealand-Australia test at Wellington, so injuries
and fatigue are likely to be a key factor in the result.
The Broncos, the defending champions, will also have revenge on their minds after suffering their first loss to the Warriors, 12-13, when a field goal by halfback Stacey Jones made the difference at Ericsson Stadium in round six.
Even more horrific for the proud club was last week's 0-44 shut-out at the hands of the Newcastle Knights. It left them second on the ladder behind the Parramatta Eels, who were upset by the Warriors last weekend.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, fresh from leading Queensland to an inspirational win over New South Wales in the State of Origin series, could not explain the unpredictable nature of the results.
Arguably rugby league's finest brain, he struggled to fathom why his team crashed so badly against the Knights.
"I really wish I had an answer for the scoreline blowouts, especially last weekend when the average winning score was 40-something to not very many.
"Since 1999, it hasn't been a big problem at the Broncos, until last Friday night at Marathon [Stadium].
"I don't think anyone has forgotten how to tackle or anything like that. It's much more likely that it's all to do with mind games and momentum."
He said the game's lawmakers should look at changing the restart law, going back to having the scoring team having the next kickoff.
"It might not solve all the problems, but it might be a fairly simple way to distribute the possession a little more evenly, and that should mean the momentum isn't all one-way."
Bennett was delighted that four more of his players would make their test debut tonight - prop Petero Civoniceva, second-rowers Dane Carlaw and Brad Meyers, and winger Lote Tuqiri. Hooker Luke Priddis and centre Chris Walker were arguably unlucky to miss out.
"The most pleasing aspect of having seven Broncos in there is that it shows our system is working," Bennett said.
"Each of the seven was recruited as a 16 or 17-year-old and they've gone on to reach the highest level of the game, so we must be doing something right."
As if to support his case, injured halfback Shaun Berrigan signed this week for two more seasons with Brisbane. He was a member of the Broncos' development programme at age 16 and earlier this year emerged as one of the game's most talented halfbacks.
In Berrigan's absence, Bennett has recalled former international star Kevin Walters at stand-off. It is a move similar to what proved a stunningly successful return to Queensland for halfback Allan Langer in the State of Origin decider.
Sunday's game is the first home premiership match played outside Brisbane in the Broncos' history.
- NZPA
SYDNEY - The New Zealand Warriors will face a Brisbane Broncos side motivated by their two most galling defeats of the National Rugby League season when the teams meet on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
Both sides will have seven players involved in tonight's New Zealand-Australia test at Wellington, so injuries
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