Brisbane withstood a stirring finish from Cronulla to hold on for a 16-12 NRL victory at Toyota Park on Saturday night.

Just as they did against St George Illawarra last weekend, the Broncos let the home side run up an early 12-point lead and again they stormed home to run out three tries to two victors.

The Sharks tried everything in the final minutes, including chip kicks from inside their own 20 metre zone, but they were unable to get down the other end of the field.

The Broncos were dealt a devastating blow prior to kick-off with Australian Test forwards Petero Civoniceva and Tonie Carroll ruled out after Friday night's Test match in Brisbane.

The injury news didn't get much better for the Broncos with centre Brent Tate taken from the field with an injury to the same shoulder which has given him so much trouble for the last two years.

After a scrappy opening the Sharks finally put first points on the board when David Simmons scooted over in the corner in 14th minute.

Just a week after his controversial sending off of Sydney Roosters forward Adrian Morley, referee Paul Simpkins was in the hot seat again following a swinging arm by giant Broncos forward Brad Thorn.

This time Simpkins let video referee Chris Ward have a look at the tackle, and he correctly advised Simpkins that Thorn's first contact was on the shoulder of Sharks lock Paul Gallen.

From the ensuing penalty, the Sharks played hot potato with ball before skipper Brett Kimmorley finally dummied before jinking his way past three defenders to go over under the posts.

The Sharks were denied a third try in the 26th minute when Nigel Vagana was ruled to be held up over the line following a desperate tackle from David Stagg.

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