The Brisbane Broncos made a winning start to their Downer NRL Auckland Nines campaign, downing the Melbourne 18-4 in the sixth match of the day.
Brisbane scored the only two tries of first half to lead 10-0, with Kiwi centre Jordan Kahu the beneficiary of a well-executed left-side shift and back-rower Matt Gillett getting on the end of a long grubber.
New Storm signing Josh Addo-Carr's try gave Melbourne some hope of a comeback early in the second period, but Brisbane quickly wrestled back momentum.
A crushing tackle from Jonus Pearson on a kick chase saw Cameron Munster cough up possession, and from there the Broncos sent Kahu over for his second off a set-piece move from a scrum 20 metres out.
Pearson then scored one of his own with 40 seconds remaining to add some icing on the cake for Brisbane.
Broncos 18 (Jordan Kahu 2, Matt Gillett, Jonus Pearson tries; 1 goal) def. Storm 4 (Josh Addo-Carr try). Half-time: 10-0.
