NRL: Warriors overcome Broncos

Feleti Mateo of the New Zealand Warriors looks to pass during the NRL Trial match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Brisbane Broncos. Photo / Getty Images.

The Warriors sparked into life in the final quarter to beat the Broncos 16-10 in the NRL pre-season game at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.

Tries to Glen Fisiiahi and Todd Lowrie delighted the 15,000-strong crowd watching the first game of rugby league to be played in the stadium.

The Warriors rebounded from a flat first half with a strong finish, showing more enterprise and some good finishing.

A bizarre first half featured no fewer than four referrals to the television match official. All four were to check the legality of Broncos tries, and all four were denied. A fifth rejection followed in the second half.

The Australians looked much sharper with the ball in hand and regularly found holes in the Warriors' defence in the first spell.

The Warriors were let down by poor handling and shoddy passing when they managed to gain possession.

But their performance in the final quarter was much better, and is a promising sign ahead of their opening NRL game on March 9.

Warriors 16 (Manu Vatuvei, Glen Fisiiahi, Todd Lowrie tries; Shaun Johnson pen, Pita Godinet goal), Broncos 10 (Lachlan Maranta, Justin Hodges tries; Scott Prince goal). HT: Warriors 2-0.