While the Brisbane Broncos snatched a late try for a comeback win, the One New Zealand Warriors came away with so many positives from their NRLW preseason trial at Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium.
Among them was the history-making experience of playing under the roof as well as facing last year’s premiership-winning Broncos.
The Warriors missed out on a trial ahead of their return to the competition last year leaving them underdone for their opening round clash against the Sydney Roosters.
Just two weeks out from their 2026 season-opener against the Bulldogs in Hamilton (July 5), the benefits of a hit-out this time were all too obvious.
While a late try and conversion enabled Brisbane to claim a 12-10 comeback win head coach Ron Griffiths and his staff were encouraged by what the players delivered.
They put together a slick play for second rower Kaiyah Atai to score in the opening minutes and then defended impressively to keep the Broncos out until the final moments of the half.
The Warriors’ work was marked by physicality, intensity and heavy contact with and without the ball while they scrambled well on their line.
They started the second half as they did the first lighting up with their attack for debutant winger Ocean Tierney to score off a well-worked scrum move.
Back in front 10-6, they protected their advantage until the final stages.
In all six offseason signings were used – Tierney, Gayle Broughton, returning Warrior Netta Nuuausala, Jay Huriwai, Natalia Hickling and Anastasia Seneke all saw time on the field as did 2025 signing Mya Hill-Moana, who missed last season on maternity leave.
