Brisbane’s NRL finals hopes are alive and cooking after they prevailed in a see-sawing contest with South Sydney on Thursday night.
The Broncos wiped aside the distraction of their coach Wayne Bennett’s future – and his controversial, impromptu barbecue with players last week – to win 38-18 and ensure a place in the NRL’s top eight with two rounds remaining.
The hosts shot to an 18-0 lead at Suncorp Stadium, only to see it evaporate before a rearguard that stretched the Rabbitohs’ losing streak against the Broncos to seven.
The Rabbitohs awoke from a sloppy start, where they knocked on four times in the opening 15 minutes, to level the scores with 25 minutes to play.
Winger Richie Kennar scored either side of the break and former Brisbane schoolboy Hymel Hunt crossed in the right corner as the Rabbitohs had all the running.
But, just as the Rabbitohs’ hulking forward pack looked to be getting the upper hand, the Broncos responded.
First Corey Oates rose highest to collect an Anthony Milford bomb, before David Fifita drove and spun 10 metres to score a memorable first NRL try.
Kodi Nikorima then sealed the win with a runaway intercept try in the 78th minute.
“I thought we responded great,” Bennett said.
“Tevita (Pangai) made a great run that made a difference, then Anthony (Milford) put a wonderful kick in that got them in goal and all of a sudden it came back our way.”
Linked to the Brisbane job, irate Souths coach Anthony Seibold used the post-game press conference to slam the speculation over his future as a “circus” before being equally critical of his men.
“It was really poor; you can’t go down 18-0 against a quality side … we got what we deserved,” he said.
Earlier the off-contract Oates scored the first two of his three tries in identical fashion, running on to precise passes from fullback Darius Boyd.
Korbin Sims had his fourth try from the last three games not long after, backing up after a slicing Milford beat the line.
The Rabbitohs steadied though, with Kennar’s late try and a penalty making it a 10-point game to stop the bleeding before the main break.
Victory gives Brisbane welcome respite on the ladder, with the Wests Tigers unable to leapfrog them into the eight for now.
But the pressure will remain at Red Hill in a week dominated by coaching speculation and an alleged rift between Bennett and club CEO Paul White that could see the master coach exit before his contract is due to expire at the end of next season.
Bennett downplayed the week’s distractions and pleaded ignorance to reports he had been offered a non-coaching role at the club from 2020 onwards.
“We’ve been in the headlines all season from the day that the media decided to make Matt Lodge a target it really hasn’t stopped at our place. it’s just another day, another week,” he said.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
IF my Aunty had BALLS she'd be me, Uncle.
Te Rangatira
Guest
Yes at the SCG...Steve Mavin dropped three kicks/bombs and was hooked...He talked himself up before that game and the kinda little Canberra backlne. carved him...
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah that's it, it was 1987 but, there were two that we got thrashed by the Raiders lol one in 1987 and one in 1989 as in 1988 we didnt make the 5 we came 8th, take your pick? lol I was there for all then games, the first was in the 'Minor Semis' 46-12 in 1987 and then in 1989, first by the Tigers in the 'Major Semis' 20-10 and then in the 'Prelim Finals' we got done 32-16 by the Raiders...that was painful 'outchhhhh'...I can still feel the pain today.... that one really hurt as I lost allot on the Bunnies that year but the Raiders redeem it all in that unbelievable GF lol
steveng
Roar Rookie
Mate, if you remember, Sammy B wasn't playing in the round 8 clash, so we weren't at full strength but, the score was 24 to 20 and wasn't an indication of the weeks to come, remember, 9 straight wins to us until the dreaded Tigers game, when it all came undone lol never mind, next time the Broncs meet us (if you get to that stage???) it will be a flogging to the Rabbits that should have been last night!!!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The headline to this piece is a bit of a furphy. The Broncos winning is hardly a stunner, there at home, have a great record against Souths who are missing several troops. As a Bunnies supporter I was not confident going into this game. The hot Broncos turned up as I thought and played some great footy. Souths showed a lot of ticker to level it up however didn’t have enough petrol to stay in the fight. The Broncs were excllent in parts and too good on the night. Souths first 30 minutes was ver poor. Siebold has given the players the weekend off which is good, rest up lads and go again next weekend !
steveng
Roar Rookie
TB, in my opinion, Sam is doing too much, he is trying to be every where, his captaincy has taken a toll on him (in my opinion) since GI has been injured and hes definitely not himself! I don't think he is carrying an injury its trying to do too much with too much responsibility as hes such a competitor, in saying that, when he and Clark were off the field the Bunnies conceded the 20 points that the Broncs won by. He will come good, the bloke is such an awesome player that once GI comes back Sam will be back at his best for the finals, which what we all want from him. This perception that they need a spell is all nonsense, Cook looked pretty good last night, yes, he didn't play his usual game but he played more so (while Walker took a few dummy half runs) and was very close to making a few breaks but, there was no support and his plays broke down. All in all (under the circumstances) the Bunnies are doing pretty well and should be ripe and ready once all the boys come back from injuries hopefully for the finals, that is if they will 100% fit?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Highways, clubhouses, people...
Haz
Guest
Hah hah, Steve, I call bull dust your speculation that Bunnies would have won if they were full strength. Even if they were, Broncos "could" have still beaten them. What I do recall is a Wabbit full strength side, at home, back in round 8. Do you recall what the score was then??
stevesyd
Roar Rookie
Seibold knows the rabbitohs only need to win 1 more game to secure a top 4 spot and is nursing the injuries for a full hearted approach come semis. Doesn't care where in 4 finishes and with all back except Doughi, I can see Souths going all the way. Patient and masterful coaching.
Badger
Guest
Crichtons offloading is Ok and isn't he in the forwards - how many forwards make a break anyway...The point was neatly deflected about another FTA TV game having remarkable official assisted comebacks till a one score difference game for TV neutrals - exhibition tennis!!
John
Guest
Depends if they win or lose their last round. If they win it, I am expecting it be followed up by a loss, if they lose it then I reckon we're a chance of making it past Week 1.
Nat
Roar Guru
Let's not lump Gillett with the best 20 mins Bird had offered so far.
Nat
Roar Guru
Sounds a lot like Hadley. After years of commentating radio he predicts play. Break one tackle "he's away", kick goes up "... will take this comfortably". We can see it Ray, take a note from the great Ritchie, add to the game or be quiet.
Albo
Guest
There looks to be a few in need of a spell. Cook has had just one run from dummy half in the past two matches ? When was the last time Crichton made a bust ?
josh
Roar Rookie
The way the Broncos are playing I don't expect to make it beyond Week 1 of the finals.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Steve - is Sam burgess carrying an injury? He’s not looking himself these last few weeks. He normally lifts for these big games but he’s been quiet and seems to be spending a fair amount of time off the park. Does he need a rest before the semis?
Matt P
Roar Rookie
SIn-bin for Sims? Mate, a penalty would've been understandable, but 10 in the bin? If that's worth 10, then Souths should have had a bloke in the bin from the Broncs' first penalty goal; Macca was tackled by an offside player whilst trying to score, Reynolds was slightly bumped when he had no actual chance of competing. You got the ball back that set anyway, that was far from the worst call of the night.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah - Souths aren’t doing themselves any favours if they’re leaning on the injuries. Inglis is a huge loss and AJ a big one although he’s been out of sorts the last few weeks. But to suggest that wingers Robert Jennings and Campbell Graham who have been playing well but have 50 games between them are somehow irreplaceable superstars is laughable.
Matt H
Roar Guru
But the Broncos were missing their best forward, Matt Gillett and their best back, Jack Bird. OK, I tried saying that with a straight face but ...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah - Steve Mavin. Had a horror first half, dropped everything and let in a few tries. Piggies hooked him before half time.