The Broncos have lost prop Nick Kenny, utility Lagi Setu and the returning veteran Michael De Vere from their squad for the game against the Warriors at Mt Smart tomorrow.
The trio failed a fitness test yesterday before the side left Brisbane, Kenny and De Vere with hamstring problems andSetu a bruised sternum. Ashton Sims moves up from the bench to start in the front row and Josh McGuire joins the side out of Queensland Cup.
With centre Justin Hodges suspended a week for a grapple tackle and bench hooker P.J. Marsh also ruled out due to injury the Broncos are significantly down on experience.
But the withdrawals offer a chance for two Auckland-bred players who were Junior Kiwis to make a mark in front of both their families and representative selectors.
Former Warrior and Wests Tiger Ben Te'o, 22, who will start in the second row is attracting interest from both the Kiwi and Australian camps ahead of the May 8 test in Brisbane - he qualifies for the Kangaroos after living across the Tasman for three years.
Queensland State of Origin coach Mal Meninga is expected at the ground to watch Steve Price, Denan Kemp, Jacob Lillyman and Brent Tate and may try to lure Te'o, who played well for Samoa in the 2008 World Cup.
Also tipped for big things at the Broncos is former Northcote junior Alex Glenn, 20, who captained their NYC side last year, now named on the bench.
The Warriors retain slim hopes that big wing Manu Vatuvei will be declared fit to play. He has further medical tests on his injured knee today.
