The Warriors employed spoiling tactics and took advantage of English referee Russell Smith's leniency to post a 24-12 upset of Brisbane in their NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos, though, could hardly complain as they turned up with little intensity, flimsy defence and some ordinary attacking options for most the game.

Smith annoyed the home crowd of 24,719 with his refusal to take stronger action rather than repeatedly penalising the Warriors for slowing and frustrating Brisbane's attack with their holding tactics.

He eventually banished Warriors fullback Brent Webb to the sin bin after he held down utility Casey Maguire who had made a clean break just after half time.

Video referee Mick Stone disallowed Broncos winger Justin Hodges a try less than a minute later, ruling he had hit the corner post just before grounding the ball.

It was a debatable call with Hodges not given the benefit of the doubt in a tight photo.

In the end, it made no difference.

The Warriors chanced their tactics against Smith and won.

At one stage in the first half, England's number one whistle blower hit the Warriors with three holding penalties in the space of five minutes, all in their own 20 metre zone.

Brisbane got back into the game in the 65th minute when fullback Karmichael Hunt side stepped his way over for a try that cut the margin to 16-12 before Warriors halfback Stacey Jones clinched the victory with a soft solo try.

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