Peter Wallace admits Brisbane’s performance in first game of the post-Darren Lockyer era was not the most convincing, but believes it will prove a stepping stone to greater things.

The Broncos overcame Parramatta 18-6 in a dour NRL encounter played in driving rain on Friday and the former NSW halfback says recording a victory when not at their best is a positive sign for the side.

“We knew tonight would be a grind and it was scrap in that first half, but it was our defence that won us the game and that is pleasing,” Wallace told AAP.

“Wins like that when the conditions are tough are really satisfying and another step in the right direction.”

Wallace and Corey Norman formed the Broncos’ new halves combination and the former Penrith playmaker admits it’s still a work in progress.

“Corey was good in there at five-eighth, but we will need to work on a few things,” Wallace said.

“We have to work on improving our combinations and that will come with time.”

The Broncos trailed 6-0 at halftime following a fourth-minute try for Chris Sandow, and coach Anthony Griffin was pleased with the way his side nullified the Parramatta attack.

“The standout feature for me was we had to defend and scramble,” Griffin said.

“We dropped the ball over the line for their try early, but from then on we kept them to zero and everyone kept their job done.”

Griffin said the absence of Lockyer will not change the way the side approaches games and backed Norman to grow into the role vacated by the one of the greatest players of the modern era.

“Like every team in the comp, we’re working on little areas,” he said.

“We have a new player in that potion in Corey and he did OK. It is round one and he will better the more he plays.”

Broncos skipper Sam Thaiday said winning in difficult conditions was very satisfying and warned the rest of the NRL that his young side will be one of the teams to beat in 2012.

“It was tough and everything we expected in the first game,” Thaiday said.

“We knew it was going to be a tough hard grind we just hung in there.

“If we keep our defence up this season we are going to go a long way.

“There is plenty more to come from this team.”