Broncos survive Warriors fight-back to win 3rd straight match

The Brisbane Broncos have won for the first time in New Zealand since 2009, to defeat the Warriors 24-16 in front of 14,679 fans at Mount Smart Stadium.

With both sides coming into the Round 4 encounter off the back of consecutive wins, each side was eager to press their claims early on.

The Warriors started strongly but were unable to turn their possession into points. The closest they came was in the fifth minute when Shaun Johnson crossed only to have a knock on from Bodene Thompson deny the home side opening points.

The Broncos were quick to hit back, scoring tries in the 11th and 16th minutes through wingers Corey Oates and Lachlan Maranta. Key players Justin Hodges, Ben Hunt and Jordan Kahu played major roles in both tries, with Corey Parker only able to convert Maranta's try, the Broncos took a 10-0 lead early on.

Brisbane dominated possession in the first half, helped largely by a poor Warriors side that completed only 9 of 15 sets, while Brisbane were able to maintain over two-thirds of the ball. The Broncos were able to capitalise late in the half with Jarrod Wallace crossing for his first try in the NRL only minutes out from halftime to give the visitors a healthy 16-0 lead at the change of ends.

The Warriors were desperate to start the second half well and were able to cross five minutes in following some quick passes resulting in Chad Townsend going over. With Shaun Johnson converting the margin stayed at 16-6 for much of the remainder of the match.

With the Warriors unable to benefit from expansive play, the Broncos were able to coast through much of the second half.

With 15 minutes remaining, the home side was able to break through and post a try courtesy of great lead up play involving Shaun Johnson resulting in a try to former Canberra centre Matthew Allwood, making his first appearance for the club. With Johnson once again converting from next to the posts, the Warriors had come from nowhere to be in a position to claim an unlikely victory.

With ten minutes left on the clock, the Warriors brought the home crowd to life following a giant bomb from Shaun Johnson resulting in a try to reigning Jack Gibson Medalist Solomone Kata. Crossing for his fourth try in as many matches, the rookie centre put the Warriors in a position to take the lead, however Shaun Johnson was unable to convert, leaving the scores at 16-all coming into the final minutes.

The Broncos soon hit back following a contentious penalty in front of the Warriors posts. Looking to make up for his 2013 missed penalty on full time, Corey Parker made no mistakes, putting the Broncos back in front.

With only seconds remaining, the visitors crossed via Andrew McCullough following a Warriors line drop out that back-fired. With Corey Parker once again on target, the visitors left Mount Smart Stadium with a 24-16 victory.

Despite the best efforts of Warriors halves Chad Townsend and Shaun Johnson, a strong first half performance from Justin Hodges paved the way for the Brisbane win.

While the Broncos were able to maintain a healthy set of players, the Warriors will be hoping a knee injury sustained by Ben Henry in the 58th minute doesn't keep the Kiwi international out long term. Having sustained an ACL injury in 2013, the star utility will be hoping scans won't end his season after four rounds.

Next week the Warriors travel to Melbourne where they will look to bounce back against the Storm on Easter Monday at the special time of 5pm, while Brisbane will return to their customary Channel 9 Friday night timeslot, travelling to the Gold Coast to take on the resurgent Titans.

Crowd: 14,679

Halftime Score: Warriors 0 Brisbane Broncos 16

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Justin Hodges
2 points - Chad Townsend
1 point - Shaun Johnson

WARRIORS (16)
Tries: Chad Townsend, Matthew Allwood, Solomone Kata
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (2/3)
Penalty Goals:

BRISBANE BRONCOS (24)
Tries: Corey Oates, Lachlan Maranta, Jarrod Wallace, Andrew McCullough
Field Goals:
Conversions: Corey Parker (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Corey Parker (1/1)

Welcome to League Unlimited's live coverage of Round 4 Sunday football between the New Zealand Warriors and Brisbane Broncos from Mt. Smart Stadium.

After losing their Round 1 encounters, both sides have won their next two games. Will the Warriors be able to overcome the loss of Sam Tomkins or will the Broncos be able to keep the points flowing to achieve their first win across the Tasman since 2009.

Todays game marks 20 years since the Warriors played their first premiership match in the ARL against the Broncos. Originally known as the Auckland Warriors, the home side went down narrowly 25-22.

Today also marks the first meeting of the two clubs since last years Holden Cup Grand Final where the Warriors overcame a fast-finishing Broncos side win 34-32. From that match, Sam Lisione, Tuimoala Lolohea and Solomone Kata have made the leap to first grade, while Joe Ofahengaue and Kodi Nikorima have made their debuts so far this season for Brisbane.

Both sides will be 1-17 with Dominique Peyroux dropping off the bench for the Warriors, while Todd Lowrie does likewise for the Broncos.

With Sam Tomkins out injured, Tuimoala Lolohea shifts to fullback allowing former Raider Matthew Allwood the opportunity to play his first game for the club after impressing in NSW cup over the past month.

The Broncos have been able to maintain the same squad that downed the Cowboys last week. Despite impressing in recent weeks, Sam Thaiday remains on the interchange bench for Brisbane.

Shaun Johnson kicks off, Josh McGuire takes the first run of the afternoon.

2: Shaun Johnson bombs for Jonathan Wright but Corey Oates is on the spot to defuse the pressure.

4: Shaun Johnson bombs again for Oates but the Warriors can't get their quick enough to force a dropout.

5: Shaun Johnson runs the ball on the last tackle and may be over for a try.

5: Good work by Chad Townsend and Bodene Thompson in the lead up.

5: Video referees checking whether Bodene Thompson knocked the ball on into Anthony Milford.

5: No Try ruled against Shaun Johnson.

6: Brisbane get a penalty, Ben Hunt finds touch inside the Warriors half.

6: Ben Hunt bombs for Corey Oates but Matthew Allwood is able to get to it first.

7: Off the back of a strong run from Manu Vatuvei, the Warriors get a penalty.

8: Chad Townsend grubbers in goal but the ball goes dead.

8: Brisbane get a penalty for a push from Bodene Thompson on Jack Reed.

10: Ben Hunt bombs for Jonathan Wright and gets a result, the former Shark knocks on giving the Broncos a set of six inside the Warriors 10 metres.

11: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Corey Oates. Kick to come.
Justin Hodges delivers a tremendous ball to the winger giving the away side first points.

11: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker unsuccessful.
Parker is unable to convert, score remains 4-0.

13: Penalty to Brisbane. Bodene Thompson pinned for a strip.

14: Alex Glenn breaks a tackle, Brisbane on the attack inside the Warriors half.

14: Jordan Kahu stopped only a metre out.

15: Anthony Milford grubbers ahead trapping Tuimoala Lolohea in goal. Line dropout to the Broncos.

16: Corey Oates looks for his second but can't quite get there.

16: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Lachlan Maranta. Kick to come.
The Broncos are in again. Great lead up work with Ben Hunt and Jordan Kahu delivering the final passes for Maranta to cross out wide.

16: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
From the touchline, Corey Parker converts.

19: The Broncos almost came up with a third try, Lolohea was unable to cover, but the Warriors come up with the ball.

20: Sam Thaiday is on for Brisbane.

20: Andrew McCullough is off for Brisbane with an injury. Kodi Nikorima comes on earlier than expected.

21: Albert Vete is on for the Warriors replacing Ben Matulino.

21: Lachlan Maranta is on the spot to defuse Shaun Johnson's bomb.

22: The Warriors have lost the ball inside their half. Brisbane back on the attack.

23: Warriors get a penalty after a great run by Tuimoala Lolohea.

24: Sam Lisione takes his first run of the day, replacing Jacob Lillyman.

24: Chad Townsend made a terrific break with support on his outside but threw the pass straight to Josh McGuire. A bombed try right there.

25: Ben Hunt forces a drop out with a great kick putting pressure on the Warriors fullback.

26: Anthony Milford shows some good footwork earning the Broncos a penalty.

26: Jarrod Wallace is on for the Broncos.

27: Six again for the Broncos. Jonathan Wright knocks on in an attempt to defuse a Broncos attacking raid.

28: Jarrod Wallace knocks on after a Corey Parker offload.

29: Great run by Ryan Hoffman up to the 30 metre line.

30: Another Corey Parker offload has the Broncos on the attack.

32: Corey Oates looks to have scored another try but the referee has ruled a No Try.

32: Corey Oates looks to have grounded the ball short. Brisbane should have another play though.

32: No Try to Corey Oates. Last tackle coming up.

33: The Warriors finally have the ball, given the Broncos dominance a 10-0 scoreline isn't too bad.

33: Albert Vete knocks on inside the Warriors half. Brisbane will get another chance.

34: Lachlan Maranta may have scored, but the referee has ruled No Try.

34: It will be No Try. Maranta grounded the ball with a foot out of play.

34: Justin Hodges knocks on from the line dropout.

36: Manu Vatuvei loses the ball in the process of playing the ball.

37: Manu Vatuvei defuses a try, but the Broncos will get six more tackles from the scrum.

38: Jarrod Wallace is over the line. Referee has ruled try, checking grounding.

39: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Jarrod Wallace. Kick to come.
After debuting back in 2012, the former Titans Under 20s prop has scored his first try in the NRL.

39: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
From right in-front, Corey Parker converts.

39: Slight confusion over the clock, but play will continue.

40: Justin Hodges takes the final run of the first half. Brisbane leading 16-0.

40: Our League Unlimited match preview looks to be spot on at the moment. The Warriors are struggling and Lachlan Maranta is having a blinder against Manu Vatuvei. Can the Warriors pull off a comeback or will the Broncos keep their winning form going across the ditch.

40: Brisbane have dominated possession with 66% of the ball, completing 22 of 25 sets and having 28 tackles inside the New Zealand metres. The Warriors have only completed 9 of 15 sets and had a miserly 5 tackles inside the Broncos 20 metres.

40: Anthony Milford kicks off the second half.

40: The Warriors have knocked on already through Albert Vete. That was not the start the Warriors wanted.

41: Matt Gillett knocks on alleviating the pressure on the Warriors.

41: Ben Matulino earns a penalty for the Warriors.

43: Things just aren't going the Warriors way. Tuimoala Lolohea knocks on inside the Broncos 10 metres.

44: Andrew McCullough looks to have recovered from his earlier injury and is back on the field.

45: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Chad Townsend. Kick to come.
The Warriors are over. After a Johnson bomb, Jonathan Wright bats the ball back with Matthew Allwood finding Townsend in support.

46: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
That's what the Warriors needed, first try and only 10 behind at 16-6.

47: The Warriors make a huge break through Kata. Warriors only 10 metres out.

48: Johnson goes close but is taken by three Broncos.

48: Albert Vete is over the line but held up.

49: Chad Townsend delivers one of the worst kicks you'll ever see. He barely touched the ball, pressure right off the Broncos.

50: Anthony Milford kicks out on the full. Warriors will start their set on halfway.

51: Manu Vatuvei loses the ball only metres from the try line after a solid run by Solomone Kata.

53: Chad Townsend makes another strong run, but the final pass goes to ground. Broncos back in the attack.

53: Jack Reed has dived for a try, but he clearly knocks on.

53: No Try. Nathan Friend is on for Thomas Leuluai.

54: Penalty Warriors. A high shot on Shaun Johnson has started a minor brawl.

55: Shaun Johnson throws a wonderful passes intended for Jonathan Wright. Only problem, Wright wasn't in position to catch the pass. Pressure right off the Broncos.

56: Ben Hunt looks for a 40/20 but Manu Vatuvei is on the spot to defuse it.

57: Chad Townsend finds touch five metres out from the Broncos line.

58: Ben Henry is clutching in pain at a left knee.

58: Henry has a history of knee injuries. He missed the majority of 2013 with an ACL, it would be a horrible blow for the Warriors if he is out for an extended period.

58: He is being assisted off the field.

60: The Warriors have thrown a number of passes but haven't mad much ground in this set.

61: Joe Ofahengaue is on for the Broncos.

61: Jordan Kahu is tackled a metre out from the Broncos line.

62: Neither side has shown a great deal of finesse in the second half. The Warriors have displayed more willingness with their play but haven't been able to execute.

63: Jordan Kahu defuses another Warriors bomb.

65: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Matthew Allwood. Kick to come.
After some great work from Shaun Johnson following some offloads, the former Canberra Raider scores on debut for the Warriors.

66: The Warriors haven't looked like winning all day, but if Johnson can convert they'll trail by a single try.

66: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
From right in front, the reigning Golden Boot winner nails the kick.

68: Jonathan Wright makes a good run to put the Warriors on the attack.

69: Shaun Johnson puts the ball in the air and Solomone Kata may have scored.

69: It was a massive kick from Johnson, all players are onside. The Warriors should be level in a moment with a kick to put them in front.

69: Manu Vatuvei has knocked the ball backwards and Solomone Kata should have his 4th try in as many games.

69: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Solomone Kata. Kick to come.
The Jack Gibson Medal winner from last years Holden Cup Grand Final has produced a try to put the Warriors level.

71: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.
He's missed. It remains 16-all. Let the field goal shootout begin.

72: Chad Townsend hoists the ball in the air, but Lachlan Maranta is able to gather it in.

73: Solomone Kata loses the ball on halfway. The Broncos will have a chance.

74: Penalty to Brisbane right in front. Corey Parker will have a kick to put the Broncos back in front.

74: Parker will be out to redeem himself from a missed penalty goal after the siren in 2013 which cost the Broncos a chance of putting the game into extra time.

74: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL BRISBANE BRONCOS
Penalty goal attempt by Corey Parker successful.
From right in front the Broncos take a 18-16 lead.

74: The Warriors have the ball, there only 10 metres out.

75: Manu Vatuvei drops the ball only metres out from the line.

77: Josh McGuire has lost the ball, but somehow the Broncos have come up with possession.

78: Ben Hunt has targeted the Warriors left side and has got a result. Broncos scrum 10 metres out.

78: Jack Reed is down with cramp.

78: Reed is being assisted off by trainers.

79: Brisbane force a line drop out.

79: Possible Broncos try. The referee has ruled a Try after the Warriors short line drop out back fired after the back bat landed in goal.

79: Kodi Nikorima or Andrew McCullough have contested the loose ball.

79: Kodi Nikorima looks to have knocked on. The Warriors may still have a chance.

79: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Andrew McCullough. Kick to come.
The Broncos have recovered to secure their 3rd straight win.

80: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
The Channel 9 Man of the Match maintains his perfect record. Brisbane win 24-16.