A rampaging try by inspirational prop Payne Haas has helped the Brisbane Broncos to a 24-12 NRL win over the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.
The result keeps their finals hopes alive, and it seemed fitting that something special was going to prove the difference in a see-sawing match.
- NZ Warriors eye David Fifita after missing out on Broncos trio
- Clinical Mitchell Moses sinks Gold Coast Titans
In the 72nd minute, Haas, 19, cut through four defenders in a stunning 45m run to score and ice a much-needed victory for the Broncos.
Brisbane provisionally jumped to seventh on the ladder, leapfrogging the Panthers as they sealed their second-straight win.
The Broncos have suffered just one loss in their past seven games.
However, Brisbane initially looked like they might have lost their Midas touch against the freewheeling Panthers.
Sparked by playmaker James Maloney, on his return from a tripping suspension, Penrith somehow stayed in the hunt despite appearing to be outclassed by the hosts.
After trailing 8-6 at halftime, the visitors came back again to trail 18-12 when winger Brian To'o crashed over in the 57th minute to ensure some anxious moments for the home crowd.
But Haas finally put the result beyond doubt with his stunning run that capped a tremendous match in which he ran 195m, had nine tackle busts and made 29 tackles.
Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold might still have some post-match headaches after fullback Anthony Milford had appeared to trip Nathan Cleary before the Panthers' playmaker crashed over for a 37th-minute try.
Broncos back-rower Tevita Pangai was sin-binned in the 79th minute for a hit on Maloney.
And Brisbane halfback Jake Turpin might come under the match review committee's scrutiny for his swinging arm on Dylan Edwards. This also earned him a sin-bin stint in the eighth minute.
The Broncos blew the scoreline out to 18-6 in the 54th minute after winger Jamayne Isaako crossed for two tries in 10 minutes, but the Panthers refused to go away before Haas struck.
Brisbane have won 11 of their past 14 games against Penrith at Suncorp Stadium including four straight.
AAP
Join us for live updates of Warriors v Roosters NRL clash from 4pm Sunday
