AFL recruit Israel Folau showed a possible glimpse of the future by taking a huge mark to score one of his two tries in Brisbane’s gutsy 22-6 NRL victory over Manly at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.

The Broncos conceded a try after just two minutes, but Folau’s dominant leap over Sea Eagles fullback Ben Farrar and subsequent surge to the try line in the 18th minute saw the Broncos take control in soggy conditions.

A precise Darren Lockyer bomb found Farrar flat-footed, and Folau used the size, skill and power that AFL officials are hoping he can use to become a success for Greater Western Sydney in 2011.

Folau also crossed under the posts with five minutes to go to put the icing on the cake for an important away victory for the Broncos.

NSW selectors will have an anxious night after Manly second rower Anthony Watmough limped from the field with an apparent leg injury in the closing stages of the match.

Constant rain made handling a problem, and on a dry track the Broncos may well have put a big score on a lethargic Manly.

The Sea Eagles didn’t look like scoring in the second half, but were still in the match until the 68th minute when some Sam Thaiday brilliance secured the game for the visitors.

The in-form Queensland forward popped a beautiful inside pass to a flying Josh Hoffman on his inside who raced 20 metres to score and give the Broncos a 16-6 lead.

The Broncos trailed 6-4 at halftime, but should have led after squandering numerous chances.

Manly lacked the cohesion they have shown for most of the season, and after an early try to powerful centre Tony Williams and a near miss by winger Michael Robertson, the Sea Eagles didn’t ask any serious questions of the Brisbane defence.

Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, Antonio Winterstein and Hoffman all found themselves in open space for the Broncos in the first half, but none were able to find support as try-scoring opportunities went begging.

Brisbane took the lead just six minutes into the second half, with a burrowing effort from interchange dummy half Ben Hunt.

While he didn’t see much ball on the right wing, the match marked the debut of Sea Eagles prodigy William Hopoate.

The 18-year-old son of former Manly crowd favourite John Hopoate will be hoping for better conditions and greater opportunity should he get another crack in the coming weeks.

© AAP 2012

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