Roar Guru
The Wests Tigers have held off the Broncos in a miraculous effort with a one-point victory.
Brisbane were the first to score after Greg Eden crossed the line after eleven minutes with Jordan Kahu sending the former Huddersfield Giants winger over through a cut-out pass.
The Wests Tigers hit back not long after with Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks shifting the ball around like park footy to put Elijah Taylor over on the inside and level the scores.
A penalty goal to the Broncos edged them in front but the lead didn’t last long as Tim Simona crossed just nine minutes before the break.
It looked like the lead was going to be extended when Kevin Naiqama crossed in the 37th minute however, he was denied a try after Kyle Lovett obstructed Anthony Milford leaving the half-time scores at 12-8 to the Tigers.
Wayne Bennett’s Broncos were eager to get back at the opposition after Jordan Rankin slotted a penalty goal with James Roberts scoring however, Kahu was unable to convert leaving the Wests Tigers in front by two.
Josh Addo-Carr scored 15 minutes later and it soon looked like it had been won with Mitchell Moses kicking a 76th minute field goal.
The Broncos didn’t give up however with Lachlan Maranta scoring just a minute later to put the scores at 18-19.
Brisbane stalled in the final seconds as Ben Hunt was forced to kick a field goal on the siren only to miss with the Broncos losing for the second week in a row.
Chris Lawrence and Elijah Taylor led the way for the Wests Tigers’ forward pack while Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses put in some impressive showings defying the critics as they led their team to a win.
Jordan Rankin was strong at the back as was Josh Addo-Carr on the wing while Broncos debutants Tevita Pangai Junior and Jaydn Su’a stood up for Brisbane alongside Alex Glenn.
Next week the Broncos head to Auckland where they will take on the Warriors while the Wests Tigers will meet with the Roosters next Sunday afternoon.
Final score:
Brisbane Broncos 18
Wests Tigers 19
The Wests Tigers will head to Suncorp Stadium where they will take on a depleted Brisbane Broncos with the visitors in desperate need of a win. Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for live coverage.
With six players unavailable due to State of Origin selection, Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has been forced to make some drastic changes to his side with a host of inexperienced players coming into his side.
Two debutants will run out against the Tigers with Jaydn Su’a and the highly-rated Tevita Pangai Junior to make their first NRL appearances.
Halves pairing Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt will be required to carry the team and put in a huge performance. The club will be without workhorses Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett and skipper Corey Parker, who is replaced by Adam Blair.
Meanwhile, the Wests Tigers will be without two players of their own as captain Aaron Woods and Robbie Farah prepare to pull on the sky blue in State of Origin I.
Jason Taylor’s troops struggled last week despite getting a 20-12 win over the Knights with Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks failing to inspire their side.
They will need to lift their performance, as they prepare to come up against one of the best combinations in the competition.
It will prove to be a huge test for Moses and Brooks. The young halves have failed to meet the expectations the rugby league world has set of them.
In 24 meetings between these two clubs, the Broncos have dominated encounters with a massive 19 wins to the Tigers’ abysmal four. One match between the two sides has ended all-square.
Last time they met was in Round 19 last year, with Brisbane earning a huge 42-16 win.
Prediction
The pressure will be on Milford and Hunt, however the enigmatic duo should put on a show and give the Broncos the two competition points.
Broncos by 18.
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