BRISBANE, QLD — Reece Walsh issued a resounding statement in his final hit-out before the State of Origin decider, leading the Brisbane Broncos to a dominant 26-12 win over the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The match doubled as a Maroons tune-up and a disaster movie for the injury-hit Warriors, who saw two key players suffer serious knee injuries in a bruising affair.
The Broncos didn’t waste time. Within two minutes of kickoff, skipper Adam Reynolds grubbered in behind, and Kotoni Staggs powered past Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to plant the ball in the corner. It set the tone for a first half where Brisbane’s pace, polish and pressure overwhelmed the visitors.
Reynolds was pulling the strings early and often. Not long after Staggs’ opener, Josiah Karapani came up big in defence, bundling Edward Kosi into touch with a desperate try-saver. Moments later, Karapani turned from stopper to scorer, latching onto a trademark looping pass from Ezra Mam to cross untouched. Brisbane led 12-0 inside 20 minutes.
Things went from bad to worse for the Warriors, as a penalty for a scrum infringement allowed Reynolds to add two more points. Then disaster struck in the final seconds of the first half.
Nicoll-Klokstad, the Warriors’ rock at the back, twisted awkwardly while trying to stop a Broncos break. He was clearly in distress and did not return for the second half. The club later confirmed he would require scans on a suspected knee injury.
As the hooter approached, Brisbane struck again. Gehamat Shibasaki dived over for the first of his two tries to give the Broncos an 18-0 halftime lead. It was the Warriors’ largest first-half deficit of the season.
The opening 40 minutes were a Broncos masterclass—and a horror show for the Warriors.
The second half began with promise for the visitors. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, one of the few shining lights in an otherwise cloudy outing, barged his way over for New Zealand’s first try in the 45th minute. It was a brief moment of relief in a match otherwise marred by frustration.
But then came another brutal blow.
Brendan Piakura lined up Luke Metcalf in a thunderous tackle that stopped the five-eighth in his tracks. Metcalf clutched his knee immediately, was assisted from the field, and did not return. The Dally M contender’s injury leaves serious questions hanging over the Warriors’ spine and their finals aspirations.
Despite the heavy contact, Piakura remained on the field but was later placed on report.
Reynolds kept the scoreboard ticking over with another penalty goal, this time after a crack-down on escorting runners. Walsh, meanwhile, was taken out chasing one of Reynolds’ precision kicks. Though offside, the fullback’s effort earned a penalty and more importantly, showcased his return to full speed after his own knee injury earlier in the year.
Reece Walsh finished the day with a try assist, a line break, and an exclamation mark on his fitness and form. With Kalyn Ponga ruled out for Origin III due to a foot injury, Walsh’s sharpness against the Warriors solidified his selection in Billy Slater’s Maroons side for the decider.
“I feel sharp, I feel ready,” Walsh said post-match. “I’ve worked hard to get my body right, and now it’s just about doing my job for Queensland.”
Shibasaki added his second try in the 68th minute to put the game to bed at 26-6. Although the Warriors crossed once more through Rocco Berry late on, the match was already decided.
For the Broncos, the win was both convincing and timely. Sitting firmly in the top-four conversation, Kevin Walters’ men are starting to click at the right time—with Reynolds’ control, Walsh’s energy, and their forward pack’s relentless aggression forming a potent mix.
“I was really pleased with how we started,” Walters said. “We got on the front foot early and didn’t let up. Reece was fantastic. So was Adam. But I also want to credit our middles—they set the platform.”
For the Warriors, the loss is concerning—but the injuries are devastating. With Nicoll-Klokstad and Metcalf both facing time on the sidelines, coach Andrew Webster will be forced to reshuffle a squad that has already battled consistency and health this season.
“It’s disappointing,” Webster said. “Losing two of your key players in one match is never easy. But we’ll wait on the scans and go from there.”
The Warriors now face a challenging run home, where every point will count in the race to September. Their depth will be tested, especially if Metcalf’s injury is long-term.
In the wider context, the match was also a glimpse of what Queensland can expect in Origin III. Walsh, now healthy and sharp, looms as a game-breaker for the Maroons. With Billy Slater opting for experience and x-factor over safe hands, Walsh’s inclusion brings speed and spark to the backline.
Saturday’s clash might not have had the pre-match build-up of an Origin audition—but it delivered answers all the same.
FINAL SCORE: Brisbane Broncos 26 def. Warriors 12
Tries: Broncos – Staggs, Karapani, Shibasaki (2); Warriors – Tuivasa-Sheck, Berry
Goals: Reynolds 5/5
Injuries: Warriors – Nicoll-Klokstad (knee), Metcalf (knee), Egan (HIA – passed)
Reports: Brendan Piakura (dangerous contact)
As the Broncos surge and the Maroons prepare, Saturday’s showdown at Suncorp may go down as the match that reshaped both campaigns—one for glory, the other for survival.
