The New Zealand Warriors have claimed back to back victories for the first time since July last year, downing the Brisbane Broncos 20-6 in a controversial clash at Moreton Daily Stadium.
The 'home' side welcomed back big-name signing Shaun Johnson and his impact was immediate when he threw a lovely ball to Jesse Arthars who ran a perfect line to cross against his old club and give the home side a perfect start. Thomas Flegler would go on report four times in this one and his wrap sheet started in the seventh minute for a hip-drop tackle. Brisbane would later settle into the contest forcing mistakes out of the Warriors' side with bone-crunching defence. However, their execution left a lot to be desired. Albert Kelly would leave the field with an ankle injury early in the opening 40, but Billy Walters was a more than capable replacement and Brisbane struggled to create much in attack.
Flegler returned to the report sheet not soon afterwards for a series of brain explosions. Firstly, a questionably late shot on Addin Fonua-Blake, but more dangerously followed up with a cannonball tackle on in-form forward Josh Curran. Referee Chris Sutton had no alternative but to sin bin the Broncos enforcer who was in his first game back after a long suspension last season. Due to a lopsided possession count, Brisbane was up against it and it was Arthars again who crossed for the home side and he had a double against his old club.
Brisbane quickly rebounded with a scrappy try to captain Adam Reynolds', whose grubbing kick rickashayed off a number of Warriors' legs and he collected the scraps to get Brisbane back in the contest and cut the margin to 12 points. The Broncos thought they had a second until Marcelo Montoya's jarring shot knocked the ball out of the grasp of Kotoni Staggs. The home side took full advantage and the winger was rewarded for his strong defensive work by supporting strong lead-up work from Johnson and Pompey to cross for a vital try just before the break to put the Warriors up by 16-6 at half-time.
The second half was woeful to say the very least. Both sides were just as guilty as each other of squandering opportunities to score. Brisbane went close straight after the break but Corey Oates was ruled to have placed the ball 'touch in-goal'. Opportunities came few and far between for the away side with poor ball control and scrappy play costing the Broncos any chance of cutting into the deficit.
Flegler went on report for a FOURTH time with just under 10 to go for a 'hip drop' tackle and was surprisingly allowed to play out the match despite his four previous reportable offences. Reece Walsh potted over the penalty goal and the Warriors had an unassailable 12 point lead. With two minutes to play, Jake Turpin was sin-binned for a blatant slow down of play which denied a 'captain's challenge' from Adam Reynolds. Walsh had another gift of two points and the Warriors secured back to back victories.
New Zealand face a tough test next weekend taking on the in-form Cowboys back at their home away from home in Redcliffe, while the Broncos take on the Roosters in what will be a vital match after their recent run of form (two straight losses).