The Brisbane Broncos are off to the inaugural NRL Women's Grand Final after an undefeated season finished with a 32-10 win over the New Zealand Warriors.
There was a lot on the line for both teams coming into the match, with the Grand Final spots undecided after the St.George Dragons beat the Warriors last week.
Kody House came into the side, having missed the first two games after a head knock in the Broncos trial match against PNG. Unfortunately, they were without Meg Ward, whose heroics last week left her battered and bruised.
It was an uncharacteristic slow start from the Brisbane Broncos as a drop from Chelsea Baker allowed Warriors prop Aieshaleigh Smalley to cross the line.
However, it didn't take long for the Broncos to hit back with Rona Peters scoring against sister Hilda Mariu today and sister-in-law Laura Mariu.
Isn't she happy about that!
— Women's Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) September 21, 2018
Rona Peters scores and we're all locked up! #NRLWBroncosWarriors 6-all after 10 minutes. #NRLW pic.twitter.com/dqJU7l4Qjz
The Broncos took the lead after some brilliance from the scrum with Brittany Breayley and Ali Brigginshaw combining to send Julia Robinson over in space.
Short side from the scrum!#NRLWBroncosWarriors 10-6 after 13 minutes. #NRLW pic.twitter.com/xFuKlUP5rb
— Women's Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) September 21, 2018
But the Warriors hit back and leveled the score with some quick thinking after a handling error from Brisbane. As the first half drew to a close it became noticeable that while the Broncos didn't have as much possession as the Warriors, they made better use of it.
Determined to have the last say the Broncos crashed over the line to go into the sheds leading at halftime. The momentum didn't shift after the break either and Breayley ran from halfway and through the Warriors defence.
Breayley goes for a run from half! 👏#NRLWBroncosWarriors 22-10 after 33 minutes. #NRLW pic.twitter.com/IER16WHmqv
— Women's Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) September 21, 2018
However, minutes later Maitua Feterika was helped from the field with an injury to her right knee after going down without being touched. The injury was a slight blow for the Broncos with Feterika making the most metres (107m) on the field.
Debutant Kody House was next over for the Broncos and she didn't even know she had scored. Brigginshaw put a kick into the try area and while it seemed that the ball would go a line drop out, the video referee determined that House had got a touch.
What about this from @kodes03!#NRLWBroncosWarriors 28-10 after 41 minutes. #NRLW pic.twitter.com/CHloG6vehb
— Women's Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) September 21, 2018
The season was hanging by a thread for the Warriors but their hopes of making a final faded away as Robinson grabbed her double and sent the Broncos to the Grand Final.
Despite having some of their international on the bench including Brigginshaw and Breayley, the spine of the Broncos proved to be superior and were able to keep the Warriors scoreless.
The Broncos will face either the St.George Dragons or Sydney Roosters, who play on Saturday at 5:10 pm.
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