NRL 2023: Brisbane Broncos win 26-22 over New Zealand Warriors

The Broncos have started the crucial Origin period with a much needed win, snapping a two-game losing streak after a last minute blunder denied the Warriors a matchwinning try.

Sailor produced one of the try-saving tackles of the year to deny Rocco Berry. Picture: NRL Imagery.

Boom Broncos debutant Tristan Sailor and captain Adam Reynolds delivered a one-two punch to keep depleted Brisbane in the top four with a dramatic 26-22 defeat of the Warriors in New Zealand on Saturday night.

The son of club legend Wendell Sailor, Tristan produced the trysaver of the season at Napier’s McLean Park and Reynolds outfoxed the Warriors to snap Brisbane’s two-game losing streak.

Tristan Sailor starred in his Broncos debut, as Brisbane survived a late scare to avoid a third straight loss. Picture: NRL Imagery.

Without five Origin stars - Payne Haas, Tom Flegler, Pat Carrigan, Reece Walsh and Selwyn Cobbo - Reynolds was a stabilising presence in his return after missing last week’s loss to Penrith due to concussion.

And the skipper found magical support acts in Deine Mariner and Sailor, the former scoring two tries and the latter oozing the brilliance of his famous father in his first Broncos outing.

But Brisbane had to survive a late scare. Leading 26-10 with six minutes to play, the Broncos sensationally imploded, the Warriors scoring twice and appearing to level scores at 26-all when Marcelo Montoya crashed over 60 seconds from time.

Sailor produced one of the try-saving tackles of the year to deny Rocco Berry. Picture: NRL Imagery.

But the Warriors were denied after centre Adam Pompey took out a Broncos defender in the lead-up, clinching a vital victory for Brisbane after three losses from their past four games.

“My eyesight was going at the back end,” said a relieved Broncos coach Kevin Walters. “It was a lucky one for us. I didn’t see too much in it (the Pompey ruling).

“You need some luck to win these games and we got that luck.”

HELLO SAILOR

Walsh’s call-up to Queensland for his Origin debut was a blow for the Broncos but in his absence, understudy Sailor was outstanding.

The second-generation Bronco, who played five games at former club the Dragons, looked comfortable. Sailor produced a stunning trysaver in the 12th minute, deliberately placing his right hand under the ball just as Warriors centre Rocco Berry was about to touch down.

It was a split-second act of awareness that underlined the smarts of Sailor, who ran for 108 metres and slotted the 74th-minute grubber for Mariner’s second try.

“Tristan is a real student of the game,” Walters said. “I am really happy for Tristan, he has fought back from some tough times and his character stood out.

“He didn’t let anyone down.”

In the absence of their Origin stars, the Broncos young stars stood up. Picture: Getty Images.

BRAVEHEART BRONCOS

Brisbane’s tryline defence this season has been first class. Once again, when pressure tested by the Warriors, the Broncos muscled up.

Incredibly, the Warriors were held up three times in the opening 28 minutes, denied a possible 18-0 lead by a Broncos side that scrapped and scrambled to protect their tryline.

“We saved three or four tries in the first half,” Walters said. “That won us the game.”

The Broncos have got the Origin period off to a good start, with Adam Reynolds starring to secure a crucial win. Picture: Getty Images.

UP AND ADAM

During the grind of the Origin period, when premiership contenders lose their big guns to Queensland and NSW duties, Reynolds’ availability for the Broncos is a huge coup.

The former NSW halfback was a constant menace and when Reynolds sliced through in the 54th minute to put halves partner Mam over, the Broncos were in control at 18-6.

MIGHTY MARINER

Herbie Farnworth is heading to the Dolphins next season but the Broncos have the perfect successor in Mariner.

The 20-year-old winger or centre underlined his potential with a double in just his third NRL game, opening the scoring for Brisbane in the 24th minute when he swooped on a loose ball and raced 80 metres to score.

Brisbane’s fastest player, Mariner then won the race to Sailor’s grubber six minutes from time to seal a trans-Tasman triumph.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Brisbane Broncos win 26-22 over New Zealand Warriors