NRL: Broncos earn ugly win over Sharks

The Broncos' Ben Hunt in action against Cronulla. Photo / Getty Images

Ben Barba failed to fire against his old side as Brisbane opened their account for the NRL season with an unconvincing 10-2 win over Cronulla at Remondis Stadium.

The Broncos got their first win of the year thanks to two lucky second half tries but failed to answer some of the big questions being asked of Wayne Bennett's men.

After the Sharks went into the break up 2-0 following an underwhelming first half, the Broncos got over the line thanks to the rub of the green, much to the chagrin of the 8369-strong crowd.

The Broncos' first try was typical of the game - ugly.

Winger Corey Oates dived over the line after swooping on a Jack Reed offload which appeared to go forward.

Brisbane went further ahead when Lachlan Maranta dived on a loose ball that popped out when Sam Thaiday jammed Sosaia Feki on the goal-line.

During the week it was questioned whether five-eighth Anthony Milford would have been better served moving back to fullback and he had a mixed night, dropping the ball twice inside his side's 20 metre zone.

Barba, who had a poor showing the week before in his first game in Cronulla colours, didn't make a real impact on the contest.

Brisbane fullback Jordan Kahu relieved some of the pressure on his position with a solid showing under the high ball as well as making a try-saving tackle on Jayson Bukuya in the 71st minute.

Poor handling was a theme in slippery conditions with both sides making 12 errors each, with Cronulla in particular guilty of dropping the ball when trying to build pressure.

- AAP