'This is what they are capable of': Broncos produce 'razzle dazzle' display in big win over Roosters
Updated . First published at
Brisbane have started life under coach Michael Maguire in style, taking their brilliant pre-season trial form into a huge win over the Sydney Roosters.
In wet and wild conditions at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night, the visitors overcame a slow start to put the competition on notice with a 50-14 victory over the Tricolours.
The new halves pairing of Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds starred for the Broncos, while the heat is already on Trent Robinson's men in what looms as a tough campaign.
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Robert Toia produced an early highlight reel moment in his NRL debut for the Chooks, breaking through some flimsy defence to set up the opening try for Dom Young.
Unfortunately, the lead was rather short-lived for the Roosters, who conceded three unanswered tries and also lost star forward Victor Radley after a nasty head knock.
Victor Radley is taken from the field after a heavy collision. Getty
Brisbane continued their attacking onslaught after the break, with some rare soccer skills on display leading to Selwyn Cobbo scoring an incredible try.
On last tackle, Reynolds linked up with Deine Mariner, who chipped over the top of the defensive line, before the halfback grubbered it ahead for Cobbo to place a kick of his own towards the line before planting it down.
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"Michael Maguire might be trying to instill a little bit of simplicity into this team, but this is what they are capable of," Billy Slater said on Nine.
"This starts with the smarts of Adam Reynolds. Someone comes out of the line and shows him some space on the outside, he gets the ball to Mariner, who chips over the top and Selwyn Cobbo with another touch on the left foot.
"That is brilliant by the Broncos and shows what they're capable of."
They clearly weren't done entertaining the fans who had turned up despite the weather, with Hunt scoring a try in his Broncos return after some insane lead-up play.
"Remember the amount of rain we had before kick off - the ground is slippery, the ball is slippery, this is razzle dazzle," Andrew Johns said.
"The entertainers, have a look at them - they are really enjoying themselves. Running the ball on the last play, they backed themselves."
Ben Hunt celebrates a try against the Roosters. Getty
Reece Walsh got himself on the board in the 57th minute as things started to get real ugly for the Roosters, who continued to leak points on their home turf.
Jesse Arthars joined the try-scoring list, before Cobbo completed his hat-trick on the other wing to bring up 50 points for the red-hot Broncos.
"They are making a statement tonight," Johns said.
As the clock ticked towards full-time, Brendan Piakura was sin binned just moments after entering the field of play in a bizarre moment for the Broncos youngster.
Young scored his second try of the evening in a 75th-minute consolation.
"They haven't stopped trying the Roosters, but they have just been completely outclassed tonight," Brad Fittler said on Nine.
