Warriors know Broncos will punish clocking off

The need to play the full 80 minutes will apply more than ever on Sunday when NRL leaders Brisbane are in town, New Zealand Warrior Wairangi Koopu says.

Koopu, an ever-present for the Warriors this season, cited the danger the Broncos posed across the park, starting with skipper Darren Lockyer.

In front of the classy five-eighth would be a quality pack containing the likes of damaging props Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva.

The threats out wide included centre Shaun Berrigan, the competition's top try-scorer with 17.

"They're big, strong, fast and skilful all over the park," Koopu said.

"Our players are equally as big, strong, fast and skilful, and to put it together as a team is going to be our biggest challenge."

Last weekend, the Warriors paid for clocking off against second-placed Parramatta, allowing an early 10-0 lead to turn into a 28-18 defeat.

Koopu said the Warriors drew some comfort from the fact they were able to dominate the Eels in the first quarter.

"We know we've got the ability to play alongside the top sides, but we have to do it for 80 minutes consistently," he said.

"Every week requires an 80-minute effort but against the Broncos, you have to do it. It's a bigger ask."

Along with wingers Francis Meli and Todd Byrne, and utility Jerome Ropati, Koopu has appeared in all 14 of the Warriors' fixtures this season.

Meli and Ropati are back to face the Broncos in Auckland but Byrne, who has scored 12 tries in his past 12 outings, drops out because of a neck injury.

Koopu, who last month re-signed for the club for another three years, is noted for his high workrate.

But he said he wanted to lift his performance against the Broncos, in particular getting closer to the action and making more metres with the ball in hand.

"My form has slumped a little bit in the last couple of games," the 25-year-old Kiwi second rower said.

"I think I've been on the edges a bit too much.

"I have to come in and get my hands on the ball and just go forward with yardage-type plays."

While they lost to the Warriors in round two, Brisbane are the NRL's form team, having won 10 in a row and with a four-point cushion at the top of the table.

The Warriors are back in 11th spot, although still just two points outside the top eight.

The Broncos were the Warriors' first opponents when the Auckland-based club entered the NRL in March 1995.

The 10th anniversary will be marked at Ericsson Stadium on Sunday, with the Warriors running out in replicas of their jerseys from a decade ago.

None of the present Warriors were on the field for the club's inaugural match -- halfback Stacey Jones made his first-grade debut later that season.

But there are two Brisbane survivors from that night in second rower Brad Thorn, later to become an All Black before rejoining the Broncos this year, and veteran lock Darren Smith.

Koopu, who was 14 at the time, recalled watching the match on television at home in Waikato.

"I don't remember much of the detail but I do remember the build-up, being a young kid from Huntly, which is a huge rugby league town," he said.

"A lot of us were aspiring to get to that level.

"To be able to wear that jersey now and represent all the players who have come through the club is going to be quite a momentous occasion."

- NZPA