Warriors vs Broncos Prediction: Don’t back Brisbane to bounce back just yet

| Saturday 16th May 2026, 7:00

Saturday 16th May 2026, 7:00

The New Zealand Warriors face a real test of the NRL Premiership title credentials on Sunday when they meet the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in game seven of Magic Round (16:05 local, 07:05 BST, Sky Sports Action).

Andrew Webster’s troops are just two points off the summit as they prepare to take on the reigning champions and hosts of the league’s annual jamboree. My Warriors vs Broncos predictions follow, with full team news and match odds from Betfred.

Warriors vs Broncos Betting Tips

Warriors by 1-12 @ 9/4
Gehamat Shibasaki Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/4

*odds correct at time of publishing

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Warriors vs Broncos Odds

The Wahs get the nod from the bookies, with Betfred installing them as 8/11 favourites to pick up the two competition points.

The Broncos are 6/5 to end positively to back-to-back defeats by the Roosters and the Sea Eagles, while it’s 16/1 about the draw.

Lofi Khan-Pereira and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak are both 7/1 to open the tryscoring, with Reece Walsh most fancied among the Broncos at 17/2.

Team News

Webster has been boosted by a number of returnees this week, with Ali Leiataua and Mitch Barnett slotting into the starting XIII after concussion lay-offs.

Wakefield-bound Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is missing due to a shoulder injury, so Leiataua is a straight swap. Jackson Ford switches to the bench to allow for Banett to start, while Wayde Egan starts at hooker.

Rugby League Odds

Adam Reynolds’ return is the big news for Broncos coach Michael Maguire, with the scrum-half slotting back in after sitting out the Manly defeat with concussion.

Phillip Coates will make his NRL debut on the wing, while Jaiyden Hunt is named in the second row.

Ben Hunt drops to the bench for Reynolds, while Xavier Willison steps up to prop to allow Jaiyden Hunt in at 11, with Jack Gosiewski’s head knock opening a space in the front row.

Warriors by 1-12 @ 9/4

I think we’re all waiting for the Broncos to come good at some point. It looked like it was happening when they beat the Storm, Dolphins and Titans in March and April, only for them to lose to the Cowboys.

Then they’d won two straight against the Tigers and Bulldogs, but have since lost to both the Roosters and the Sea Eagles.

They ought to get back to winning ways, and after a Round 12 bye they host the Dragons and Titans in back-to-back matches they ought to win with ease.

But the Warriors are a phenomenal outfit so far this season, with Webster getting some fantastic results out of them.

There are threats right across their line-up, and Khan-Pereira and Watene-Zelezniak are both running at more than a try a game so far.

I think the champs keep waiting for that next win until after their bye round, with the New Zealanders likely to take it in a close encounter. That 9/4 is a cracking price for a narrow Warriors success.

Warriors vs Broncos - Winning Margin 1-12

Warriors by 1-12

9/4

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Gehamat Shibasaki Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/4

With Reynolds back in the side, I do think the Broncos will at least prove to be less clunky with ball in hand than they were at Manly.

And with that in mind, I’m looking at their outside backs to get more opportunities in the red zone.

Josiah Karapani and the debuting Coates are both odds-on to score at any time, while centres Jesse Arthars and Gehamat Shibasaki are 6/4 apiece.

I’ll get on Shibasaki to add to his five tries in all comps so far with one in defeat at Suncorp.

Warriors vs Broncos - Anytime Tryscorer

Gehamat Shibasaki