Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold credited a selfless approach to defence for his side's 8-2 victory over the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday.
On their way to their third win on the trot the Broncos kept the Warriors tryless and didn't allow them a single line-break, who prior to round 11 had made more than any other team in the Telstra Premiership, averaging almost five a game.
The result means Brisbane have now gone their last three halves without giving up a single try, with Seibold crediting his players' desire to show up for each other and pay it forward in defence.
"In the last two games we just kept turning up for each other, our scramble defence has been very, very good and I think that's a sign of the improvement in our group," Seibold said.
"It's just about working for your mate and doing something for somebody else in the team.
"I'm all about effort on defence, it's not always going to be pretty, but you just want more Broncos jerseys in the picture [than opposition ones].
Match Highlights: Warriors v Broncos
"We’ve made some really big strides now and we've won four of our last five games. We're starting to find our way defensively."
Brisbane gave away 10 penalties on Saturday night, eight of which came in the first 40 minutes and meant they had to absorb prolonged waves of attack from the Warriors while camped on their own line.
Seibold said a period at the end of the first half, when Brisbane eventually frustrated the Warriors into attempting a penalty goal, which they missed, was the turning point in the match.
"That was where we kept ourselves in the game, because they had so much possession, so much field position," Seibold said.
"If you look back and reflect on the game, that's probably the period where we kept ourselves in the game, and to go in [to half-time at] 2-2 was probably a win for us in some ways."
Back-rower Alex Glenn told NRL.com that given the attacking weapons the Warriors possess, it ranked as one of the most impressive defensive showings he has been part of in his 11 seasons in the top grade.
"It's right up there… the strike power they have across the field, it was just relentless and we just kept turning up and turning up," Glenn said.
"To keep them to two points, man, that's a huge credit to us and it's rewarding.
"The things we've been doing the last three games, we weren't doing that in the first few this season and that was the difference between winning or losing. That's what has turned around our season."
Meanwhile Seibold also acknowledged the impact of five-eighth Anthony Milford, who struck the killer blow with 20 minutes to go by breaking the try-scoring stalemate with some individual brilliance.
The Queenslander also ran for more than 100 metres and managed the game well alongside rookie halfback Tom Dearden.
"[Anthony] broke open the game tonight, I think for the last couple of weeks he has been very good… he's playing some good footy," Seibold said.
Milford breaks the deadlock
"He took the line on their close to the line and caught one of the Warriors inside shoulder, that's where he's most dangerous.
"I really do [think Tom compliments Anthony], he's a genuine halfback who has got a really good sense and good understanding of the game.
"He's certainly a good foil for 'Milly' at the moment."