Warriors defeat Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, Luke Metcalf injured
The NZ Warriors secured a 40-6 victory over the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, solidifying their position within the top four of the NRL standings. Despite the win, the team experienced an injury setback with halfback Luke Metcalf.
The Warriors, playing at their second ‘home’ ground, quickly established dominance. Jacob Laban, a second-rower, and five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita both scored early tries. The team’s momentum continued even after fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle that led to Reece Walsh of the Broncos leaving the game with an ankle injury. During this period, wing Alofiana Khan-Pereira intercepted a pass near his own goal-line and ran the length of the field to score, extending the lead.
Metcalf’s Injury and Team Performance
Following Khan-Pereira’s try, Luke Metcalf successfully converted but immediately clutched his right hamstring and exited the field. This injury forced the Warriors to reorganise their backline. Despite the disruption, two penalties converted by Harris-Tavita helped the Warriors achieve a 20-0 lead by halftime.
The scoring continued into the second half, with Nicoll-Klokstad crossing the line early. Wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak added another try with a dive at the corner flag, and centre Ali Leiataua scored after a dummy pass. As the match progressed, the Warriors narrowed the points differential gap with the second-placed Penrith Panthers to eight points. However, they conceded a try to Kiwis front-rower Xavier Willison. Centre Leka Halasima, despite cramping late in the game, managed to prevent a try and then score one himself, ensuring the Warriors had the final say in the match.
The Warriors currently hold third place on the ladder, trailing leaders Sydney Roosters by two points and level with the Panthers, though behind by 10 on differential. This victory follows a significant win against Penrith the previous week, which was only their second against the Panthers since 2019 and their first at Go Media Stadium since 2018.
Squad Details and Upcoming Fixtures
The confirmed 19-man squad for the NRL Indigenous Round match against the Broncos featured an unchanged starting combination from the previous week’s game against Penrith. The six-man bench included Sam Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitiric Vaimauga, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Taine Tuaupiki, and Adam Pompey. NRL rookies Luke Hanson and Makaia Tafua were omitted, along with second rower Morgan Gannon.
Luke Metcalf made his second consecutive start at halfback, having previously delivered a strong performance against Penrith as a late replacement for Te Maire Martin, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Martin is expected to miss the next two games against Brisbane and South Sydney. Metcalf’s performance against Penrith included two tries, four goals from five attempts, a line break, a line break assist, a try assist, four tackle breaks, and 519 metres from 18 kicks.
The Warriors faced a Broncos side that won the premiership in 2025 but has since dropped to 16th on the ladder, having lost eight of their nine games since the Warriors’ 42-12 victory over Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium earlier in the season. Loose forward Erin Clark and hooker Wayde Egan maintained their record of appearing in every Warriors game this season, making their 21st appearance.
The Warriors’ remaining four regular season games include away matches against the Broncos and Rabbitohs, followed by two home games against the Knights and Sea Eagles.
Source: rnz.co.nz
Charlotte Reid 