Reynolds leads Broncos to win over Dolphins after Tigers shock Warriors

Proud Benji Marshall’s Wests Tigers are enjoying rare time in the NRL’s top four after bursting the Warriors’ bubble with an upset 32-14 victory in Auckland.

Not only did the Tigers end the Warriors’ unbeaten start to the NRL season, they did it convincingly before a crowd of over 24,000 at Go Media Stadium, where they hadn’t won since 2016 when the likes of Mitch Moses, Luke Brooks, Josh Addo-Carr and Aaron Woods ran the side.

The Tigers found themselves down 10-0 midway through the first half but rallied strongly to open up the Warriors’ defence, finishing with six tries to three and a huge tackle-break advantage of 50-18.

“It was probably the most resilient performance I’ve seen from the team for a long time,” said Tigers coach Marshall.

“I’m very proud of the team to fight back. We made some adjustments of the run.

“I was just happy we played the type of football we wanted to play,” added Marshall, with the Tigers now holding a record of two wins and one loss to start 2026, having also had a bye.

Friday night’s loss denied the Warriors a chance at their equal-best start to an NRL season – five in 2018 – following three thumping wins.

“Were very frustrated,” said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. “We missed the mark tonight ... we know what we’ve got to work on.”

The Warriors opened the scoring through fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad after nine minutes.

Huge pressure from the home side saw Jacob Laban burst through two flimsy tackles to score with Tanah Boyd converting to make it 10-0.

But Adam Pompey was sinbinned after tackling Faaletino Tavana to the ground unnecessarily, slowing the Warriors’ momentum.

The Tigers finally got on the scoreboard with a try to Tavana in the 32nd minute after a pass from Adam Doueihi.

They were in again three minutes later after a high kick from Jock Madden bounced off the head of a leaping Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Tavana passed to Kai Pearce-Paul to score.

The nightmare finish to the first half continued for the Warriors as the Tigers stormed into the lead when Royce Hunt barged over. Madden’s conversion gave them a 16-10 lead at the break.

The Warriors started the second half the better and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak got airborne over the goal line only to spill the ball.

It was Doueihi who set up the Tigers’ fourth try, cutting through and passing to Jahream Bula to finish off for a 22-10 lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Nicoll-Klokstad did his best to get the hosts back into the game with a slicing run to score with just over 10 minutes left.

But more open play saw the Tigers cross again as Doueihi found space and passed to Luke Laulilii who flicked the ball on to Madden to score in the 73rd minute.

And to add more salt to the Warriors’ woes, Sunia Turuva crossed in the last minute.

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A wayward pass from the Dolphins hands Brisbane possession, and they go coast to coast in a couple of plays, Kotoni Staggs running out of dummy half and breezing past some tired defenders, crossing in the corner to cap a good win for a team that came into this contest under a lot of pressure.

Corey Jensen gets the conversion chance and it misses by a mile but the Broncos won’t mind at all.

Broncos beat Dolphins 26-12 at Suncorp Stadium

The Dolphins go short and regain possession from the kick-off, and there’s still half a chance if they can score quickly. But Tom Gilbert fumbles a play-the-ball a metre short of the goalposts and it’s a turnover with three minutes left.

On their next set they play a bit of hot potato footy and get into Broncos territory, and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki makes a half break and gets within a couple of metres of the line before being dragged down by Reece Walsh.

Broncos 22, Dolphins 12 with a minute left

Very close shave for the Broncos there as Jake Averillo throws a pass just too far forward for Jamayne Isaako metres short of the Brisbane tryline.

The Broncos are just holding on here; there have only been 28 points scored but it feels like either side could score a try at any time.

Broncos 16, Dolphins 12 with eight minutes left

Selwyn Cobbo drops a bomb near his own line and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has to take the ball dead after cleaning it up, and when the Dolphins knock the ball after attempting a short dropout the Broncos have a full set in attacking range again.

Adam Reynolds and Reefce Walsh both take the line on themselves, then Ezra Mam runs it on the last, but the Dolphins defence holds up and Mam is wrapped up by Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.

Broncos 16, Dolphins 12 with 15 minutes left

From the dropout the Broncos attack again, and they go in for their third try when bench player Ben Talty runs the ball on the last close to the uprights, spins in the tackle, and flicks a wild offload directly into the path of Reece Walsh who goes over almost untouched.

Adam Reynolds converts and the Broncos look in control of the contest again.

Broncos 16, Dolphins 6 after 35 minutes