Junior Warriors

The Junior Warriors had a good win against the Eels last week but this week they take on the Brisbane Broncos who are undefeated so far this season. This is a rematch of last year's Grand Final and despite the Warriors sitting further down the table, they'll be eager to make a statement early on in the season.

For the Broncos match the Warriors welcome back classy fullback Brad Abbey who is always going to be welcomed back with open arms. Nathaniel Roache moves back to hooker with Sheldon Pitama who is also impressive at dummy half sliding to the bench. The Junior Warriors as always boast a very solid forward pack, as well as a fair amount of depth with the impressive Marata Niukore moving from the back row to centre with Ofahiki Ogden promoted from the bench.

Big boys Bunty Afoa and Toafofoa Sipley are always worth keeping an eye on and they'll be crucial to the Warriors go forward. Expect Roache's return to the starting hooker spot, along with Pitama off the bench to help get a few of the Broncos big boys moving backwards.

1 BRAD ABBEY

2 TOMAS AOAKE

3 SEMISI TYRELL

4 MARATA NIUKORE

5 PAUL ULBERG

6 ATA HINGANO

7 ERIN CLARK

8 BUNTY AFOA

9 NATHANIEL ROACHE

10 TOAFOFOA SIPLEY (c)

11 OFAHIKI OGDEN

12 MATIU LOVE-HENRY

13 JAZZ TEVAGA

Interchange:

14 SHELDON PITAMA

15 ROMAN TUHIMATA

16 AMONI TUFUI

17 JOSEPH PRICE

18 LEWIS SOOSEMEA

NSWarriors

The reserve grade side showed their potential against the Wentworthville Magpies last weekend, giving them a bit of a touch up 44-20. Api Pewhairangi was again impressive in the halves, he was one of three players to score a double along with Jarrod Tua and George Carmont. Pewhairangi looked to be involved in everything, putting in a few classy kicks and with Saliva Havili also impressing the NSWarriors side are forming a strong spine.

This game went largely as expected with the Magpies sitting at the bottom of the table and the NSWarriors calling upon many players, especially in their forward pack who have solid first grade experience. That dose should be repeated this week as they take on the North Sydney Bears who sit second to last with only one win.

The Bears are the feeder side for the Rabbitohs but don't feature any names of note, besides former Junior Warrior Jethro Friend who will come of the bench at hooker. The NSWarriors side is once again full to the brim of talent and experience, highlighted by the fact that the first grade side can call up Mathew Allwood and Dominque Peyroux, a hole filled by Ngani Laumape who makes his return from injury.

The NSWarriors forward pack should have too much size and power for the Bears with not only a scary starting pack, but they also have David Bhana, Charlie Gubb and James Bell coming off the bench. Viliami Kaveinga continues to be a player to keep tabs on, he's the type of player who could end up elsewhere if an opportunity doesn't present itself with the Warriors.

With two wins from three games the NSWarriors will be looking to set up shop at the top end of the table, they're currently in fourth.

1 VILIAMI KAVEINGA

2 SAULA SOLOMONA

3 GEORGE CARMONT

4 NGANI LAUMAPE

5 JARROD TUA

6 API PEWHAIRANGI

7 SAM COOK

8 SUAIA MATAGI

9 SILIVA HAVILI

10 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO

11 RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER

12 SIONE LOUSI

13 JOHN PALAVI (c)

Interchange:

14 DAVID BHANA

15 CHARLIE GUBB

16 NATHANIEL PETERU

17 JAMES BELL

18 RAY TALIMALIE