SYDNEY (AP) The New Zealand Warriors handed third-place Brisbane its worst loss of the National Rugby League season, beating the Broncos 36-18 Saturday.
The Warriors led 18-0 after 25 minutes at Auckland's Mt. Smart Stadium, where a minute's silence was observed before the match to honor Muhammad Ali, who died a few hours earlier in Phoenix, Arizona.
Later Saturday, the defending champion North Queensland Cowboys hosted Newcastle and the second-place Melbourne Storm played Penrith.
On Friday, Canberra beat Manly 30-18, winning for the third time in a row and handing the Sea Eagles their fourth consecutive loss.
On Monday, first-place Cronulla, level on points with the Storm but with a better points differential, plays the Canterbury Bulldogs to conclude the 13th round. St. George Illawarra and Parramatta had weekend byes.
