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The Live Sport Bible is here!‘It’s a real luxury’: Warriors hooker Sam Healey praises strength of forward pack
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • May 14th, 2026 4:00 pm
Sam Healey's running game on display | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
Warriors hooker Sam Healey has praised his teammates and squad depth heading into an unpredictable Magic Round clash on Sunday.
Despite playing the Broncos in Brisbane, with a strong local and traveling contingent of Warriors fans in Queensland, Healey told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy it will definitely feel like a home game.
Host Israel Dagg mentioned how the Warriors arguably have the best forward pack in the competition to which Healey replied with full confidence, “I think you could probably drop the arguably now, I reckon they're the best.”
“I don't think many packs have the Kiwi captain and two blokes that will probably be in the Origin side.
"It's pretty crazy that we've got all those guys in one team, not to mention all the young guys and guys like Erin Clark."
Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Between himself and Wayne Egan in the hooker role, they have worked out a game plan during the pre-season, which doesn’t differ much each week.
“Obviously there's little things that change and that's with the halves with their back rowers and their edges and me and Waydo with what we're doing with the middles.
“There's a little fix ups and little things we need to change each week, depending on who we're versing.
“We've got a pretty solid game plan that we think can go with most teams.”
To the back line, Healey said “Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck) is a world-class player and to be able to have guys like Ali (Leiataua) and Wets (Adam Pompey) come in and fill those roles, it's a real luxury.
“I don't think many other teams can say they've got quality centres like that.”
How Andrew Webster lured Sam Healey to the Warriors | Running It Straight
Healey however noted that you can never count out the Broncos, especially with game changing players like Reece Walsh.
“They'll definitely be up there to play and being at Suncorp and Magic Round, they'll be up for the game so we've got to be on and we will be come Sunday.”
Historically speaking, teams don’t tend to perform well following a bye, however he said the bye came at a good time after 9 good games of footy in which some of the players needed to give their bodies a rest.
“We've got a bit of training in and ironed a few things out for this week.”
With a number of contracts up in the air and Healey’s ending at the end of 2027, he said he’s settled in New Zealand.
“I'm just loving my footy at the moment and everything else is sort of taking care of itself, so it's a good place to be at the minute.”
The Warriors sit second and the Broncos 11th on the NRL ladder. The reigning premiers have so far had an underwhelming season, but as players have slowly returned from injury, many will be pushing for Origin selection.
Tune into Sport Nation from 5pm Sunday for pre-game coverage with Sam Ackerman and Blake Stothart ahead of SEN's call from Suncorp Stadium at 6pm.
Listen to the full interview below:
