The nib Newcastle Knights were beaten 21-8 by the Brisbane Broncos at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon in their second match of the 2017 Auckland Nines.
While the red and blues looked promising in the first half, the Broncos ran away with it in the second half to pile on 17 points.
The Knights were the first try scorers in the first minute, Brock Lamb showing some tenacious defence 40 metres out from the Broncos line to regain possession.
In the following set Danny Levi darted out from dummy-half, making ten metres to get over the line.
Four minutes later the Broncos returned serve, Jordan Kahu getting his first try.
It was after half time that the Broncos started to turn it on, Anthony Milford making a 40 metre break shortly after playing resumed.
While the Knights defence managed to get him to ground, in the following play Kahu got his second try in the corner.
The red and blues returned serve in the 11th minute, Brock Lamb’s kick causing the Broncos defence strife in their right corner. Pete Mata’utia managed to ground the ball and push the score to 10-8, but two minutes later Kahu completed his hat-trick.
The final try was scored three minutes from time, the Broncos’ Matiu Love-Henry running through to touch down in the bonus zone.
TEAM
1. Pete Mata’utia, 2. Ken Sio, 4. Nathan Ross, 6. Brock Lamb, 10. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Danny Levi, 11. Mitch Barnett, 12. Jamie Buhrer (c), 16. Sam Stone. Bench: 3. Brendan Elliot, 7. Jaelen Feeney, 13. Luke Yates, 15. Jack Stockwell 18. Nick Meaney.
