Broncos go three in a row with win over Warriors

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Brisbane Broncos v Warriors

The Brisbane Broncos produced one of their finest performances of the season with a 26-12 victory over the New Zealand Warriors in a rare Saturday afternoon appearance at home.

Laying the foundation for the victory with three first half tries before holding off their fast-finishing opponents with a match-clinching four-pointer to Gehamat Shibasaki, the Broncos recorded three straight wins for the first time since April to the delight of 43,424 supporters in attendance.

The scoreboard capped off a challenging afternoon for the Warriors as they slumped to back-to-back losses for the first time this season, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Luke Metcalf were both forced from the field with injuries.  

Taking immediate advantage of an error in the opening set of the match, the Broncos set the pace for an impressive performance with Adam Reynolds placing a grubber into the in-goal for Kotoni Staggs (2nd minute) to pounce for first points.

Proving just as effective without the ball after Josiah Karapani forced Edward Kosi over the sideline with the tryline in sight, the hosts reached double digits when Ezra Mam fired a tremendous cut-out pass to send Karapani (14th minute) over for his fifth try in three matches.

Adding a penalty goal to Reynolds midway through the half, the Warriors appeared to narrow the leger when Luke Metcalf's bomb landed in Chanel Harris-Tavita's hands - only for the bunker to rule the Warriors five-eighth failed to get the ball to the ground.

The Broncos took an 18-0 lead to the sheds after Reece Walsh rounded out a dominant half by putting Shibasaki (40th minute) over for a try with seconds remaining on the clock.

A try-saving effort to hold Walsh up over the line shortly after the resumption spurred the Warriors into action with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (45th minute) crossing for his first try at Suncorp Stadium since 2014.

Reynolds added his second penalty goal of the afternoon to push the home side beyond two converted tries.

The Warriors rallied in the face of their deficit with Leka Halasima (65th minute) soaring onto a bomb, however the scoreboard joy quickly turned to concern with Metcalf copping a heavy shot from Brendan Piakura, resulting in the halfback being assisted from the field by two Warriors trainers.

In a moment of agony for the visitors, Kosi was unable to hold onto a pass with a clear passage to the try-line; the Broncos took that stroke of luck in their stride to secure the 26-12 victory courtesy of Shibsasaki (75th minute) collecting his third double in as many matches.

Next week, the Broncos will face the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night, while the Warriors will have their final bye of the season prior to State of Origin III.