Broncos coach seeks home comforts in NRL

There’s no place like home but many of Brisbane’s youngsters are unfamiliar with Suncorp Stadium heading into Saturday’s NRL clash with the Warriors.

Rookies Herbie Farnworth and Xavier Coates will both run out in Broncos colours at the venue for the first time on Saturday while new recruit Rhys Kennedy is also a chance to make a home debut for his new club.

It’s a stark contrast to the Warriors line-up for whom Adam Blair and Kodi Nikorima will be more than accustomed to the ground following their stints with the Broncos.

“We’ve got about three or four guys who have never actually played there – they’ve never actually been in our home change room Herbie and Xavier and those kids,” Seibold said.

“I know it sounds bizarre but we just thought it was best to take them down there. They can drive in underneath the stadium and go to the home changing room so then it’s not new to them tomorrow night.”

Seibold’s inexperienced lineup pulled off one of the shock results of the season last weekend by defeating Cronulla despite halfback Sean O’Sullivan limping off at halftime with a hamstring injury.

Brisbane will be boosted by the return of State of Origin representatives Joe Ofahengaue, David Fifita and Corey Oates while Anthony Milford also returns after missing the Sharks match due to injury.

Milford will remain at fullback with captain Darius Boyd in five-eighth and Jake Turpin shifting to halfback.

The Warriors come to Brisbane on the back of their win over the high-flying Knights last weekend with just one change to their lineup with Issac Luke replacing injured Karl Lawton (shoulder) at hooker and Chanel Harris-Tevita taking Luke’s place on the bench.

Both teams are on six wins and know the match is crucial for keeping their finals hopes alive.

Seibold says a repeat of the defensive effort that led to an 8-2 win over the Warriors in Auckland earlier this year will be needed to pick up another victory.

“They bring plenty of threat so we’re going to have to really stand up,” he said.

“We did that over there last time … if we’re going to win the game and we’re going to perform highly it’s going to be off the back of our D.”

KEY MATCH STATS

* Eight of the 12 matches between Brisbane and the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium have been decided by 12 or more points.

* Defeat would mean Brisbane equal their worst start to a season with just six wins from their opening 16 matches set in 2013 when they finished 12th.

* The Warriors are out to win five straight matches away from Mt Smart Stadium for the first time since 2002.

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