NRLW: NZ Warriors women drop opening game against champion Brisbane Broncos outfit

The NZ Warriors women have fallen to the reigning champions in the opening game of the NRLW competition.

The Brisbane Broncos recovered from a  poor start, running out 28-14 winners in Canberra thanks to three tries from fullback Tamika Upton.

The Broncos are chasing a thyroid-successive title, but were on the back foot early as the Warriors crossed for two early tries.

But Upton's three-try first half had the Broncos in control at the break and they never allowed the make-shift New Zealand side back into the contest. 

The Warriors scored three tries, with halfback Simone Smith, former Olympic rugby gold medallist Ella Green and Australian rugby international Evania Pelite crossing the line.