NRLW 2020: Brisbane Broncos, Tamika Upton, Kelvin Wright proud of fightback on a trying day

Author: Alicia Newton NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Sat 3 Oct 2020, 06:22 PM

Broncos coach Kelvin Wright praised his side's ability to overcome a difficult same-day trip to Canberra following their 28-14 win over the Warriors at GIO Stadium on Saturday.

Tamika Upton became the third player in NRLW history to bag a hat-trick as the Broncos ran down a fast-starting Warriors outfit who were blooding 12 club debutantes after their own disrupted preparation.

The Warriors shocked the defending premiers early with tries to Simone Smith and rugby sevens convert Ellia Green setting up an 8-0 lead inside nine minutes.

But the Broncos soon found their groove well before the break, piling on three tries courtesy of Upton's individual heroics.

"It wasn't an ideal start but it was probably a reflection of the whole day - it's been a learning experience right from our flight this morning," Wright said.

"We met at the [Broncos Leagues] club just after 7am, went through our testing and onto a plane, then a holding room - just a lot more delays than expected.

"Our warm-up was really cut short and our start reflected that as well. I was proud of how we clawed our way back and got on top."

Rockhampton local Upton picked up where she left off in last year's grand final to cross for a treble in 13 minutes as the Broncos clicked into gear.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 3 Oct

Full Time

Broncos

Warriors

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

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Amber Hall also proved a nightmare for the Warriors with her go-forward crucial to the Broncos' quest for a third premiership.

"I think we just keep good people in the club and have a great core that has been there for two seasons and are into their third season," Wright said.

"Ali Brigginshaw, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Meg Ward and Julia Robinson ... they just set really high standards and if you don't meet those standards you won't survive."

Upton slices through from a sweeping backline movement

For the Warriors, who assembled their squad just over a fortnight ago, some promising individual performances will set them up nicely for next week.

A barge-over effort from Simone Smith was matched by Evania Pelite's cut-out pass to find her Australian rugby teammate Green in open space.

Pelite and Green showed their class when given an opportunity on the left edge with a couple of huge carries and monster hits.

A try to Pelite late and one disallowed shortly after jagged some momentum back for the Warriors with the Broncos' completion rate deteriorating.

In the only concern for the Broncos, influential playmaker Raecene McGregor was stretchered from the field late with a neck injury but was later cleared.