A resolute defensive performance from the Brisbane Broncos has seen them record a rare Mt Smart win, defeating the New Zealand Warriors 8-2.
In one of the lowest scoring games of the season so far, it was a defensive slugfest, with neither side able to crack the try-line until the later stages of the game.
In what was perhaps a dour affair in the eyes of many, the Broncos defensive prowess in not conceding any line-breaks was an impressive feat.
As the Warriors threw plenty at them, the Broncos held firm to record the win.
The first try could have been scored much earlier, but Broncos forward Alex Glenn was ruled to have been held up over the line.
Soon after, the Warriors opted for a penalty goal via Patrick Herbert to go up 2-0.
On the stroke of half-time, the Broncos took a penalty of their own as scores went into the break locked at 2-apiece.
With 21 minutes to go in the game, the sole try was scored.
It was Anthony Milford who stepped up, who has been heavily criticised this year for not stepping up when needed.
He ducked inside the Warriors defence, stepped past a couple of defenders and scored the only try of the game.
Although the Warriors dug deep to create opportunities, their final execution let them down as poor kicks and errors proved the difference.
His side’s lack of completions and constant errors left Warriors coach Stephen Kearney with no answers.
“With the footy, we were nowhere near where we could be,” Kearney said.
“I thought we created enough opportunities, but I just thought our execution and our detail in that area… we just weren’t good enough to execute them.
“Some key positions tonight [weren’t good], we weren’t quite at the top of our game.’
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold knows that the wins will not always be pretty, as he praised his side’s defensive efforts.
“In the last two games, we just kept turning up for each other, our scramble defence has been very, very good and I think that’s a sign of the improvement in our group,” Seibold said.
“It’s just about working for your mate and doing something for somebody else in the team.
“I’m all about effort on defence, it’s not always going to be pretty, but you just want more Broncos jerseys in the picture [than opposition ones].
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Anthony Milford
2. Isaiah Papali’i
- Payne Haas