Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s form means Warriors don’t miss Broncos star Reece Walsh

NRL preliminary final: Warriors v Broncos; Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane; When: Saturday, 9.50pm (NZT); Coverage: Live on Sky Sport 4; live updates on Stuff

When it first emerged early last season that Reece Walsh wanted to return home to Queensland, it felt like a dagger blow to a Warriors side that was already struggling.

But as the 21-year-old fullback’s fate intertwines with that of his old club for the first time since he moved to the Brisbane Broncos ahead of the 2023 season, he isn’t missed around Mt Smart as much as it once appeared he would be.

The signing of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from the Canberra Raiders last year paved the way for Walsh to be released from this Warriors contract early. Nicoll-Klokstad was also seeking a return home – in his case, to New Zealand – and was also granted an early release from his existing contract.

Back in familiar surroundings, the 28-year-old Kiwis international has been in sublime form in his second stint at Mt Smart, playing a pivotal role at fullback in their surge to the NRL’s final four.

Whatever happens as the Warriors and Broncos meet at Suncorp Stadium in a preliminary final on Saturday night, the two men with the No 1 jersey on their backs are sure to have a significant say in proceedings.

“Charnze has been great for us,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster said this week. “His effort defensively, he’s had to clean a lot of things up for us, to save things, and his communication around where he puts our defenders is unbelievable.

“His combination on the right edge in attack – he’s evolved his game massively. He’s become really reliable in his passing game and he challenges [opponents] at the ruck.

“When they’re tired, Charnze is just getting going. He likes those moments, he’ll attack you at A, B, C in and around the ruck and make life a misery if you’re fatigued.”

To make it to this Saturday’s preliminary final, and potentially be 80 minutes away from a grand final showdown with the Penrith Panthers or Melbourne Storm, who meet in Sydney on Friday night, the Warriors have already had to shut down one star fullback.

The Newcastle Knights lost 40-10 in Auckland last Saturday with their star man Kalyn Ponga barely making an impact and Warriors coach Andrew Webster feels his side have an approach that should work well again.

“Reece is obviously a good player,” Webster said, when asked how his side would contain him. “He’s had a great time and Queensland as well as the Broncos.

“I think what we did last week, particularly with Ponga, is we’ve got respect for them. We’ve got to defend the way we normally defend and not try to do something stupid.

“Reece can obviously hurt you from anywhere on the field, but if you give him less opportunity to get up the field, I think that’s the biggest part of the plan.

“Instead of coming up with something crazy or different to try and do to them this week, we’ll stick to what we do well.”

Walsh’s return to the Broncos has played a big part in them returning to the top of the NRL ladder, after an unprecedented three seasons finishing outside the top eight, and his side will go into Saturday’s preliminary final as favourites.

Earlier this week, he told the Australian Associated Press that while he was “happy” to see Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson “walking around smiling” after last weekend’s semifinal win over the Knights, “[Johnson] won’t be too happy this Saturday come 80 minutes”.

Watene-Zelezniak laughed when that quip was relayed to him: “That sounds like something Reece would say. He’s quite confident. I got along with him quite well – his humour and the way he is.

“He’s actually such a kid, which is crazy to think, with how he’s playing. He looks like he’s been playing the game for a long time.”

The Warriors will be hoping Nicoll-Klokstad’s experience wins out over Walsh’s youth this weekend, as they chase their first grand final appearance since 2011.

Warriors v Broncos – how the fullbacks shape up

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Warriors 2017–18, Raiders 19–22, Warriors 23–

Age: 28

Hometown: Auckland

Matches: 97

Tries: 37

Reece Walsh

Warriors 2021–22, Broncos 23–

Age: 21

Hometown: Sydney

Matches: 59

Tries: 20