Thursday night’s game between the Brisbane Broncos and the Parramatta Eels showed just how out of shape the Broncos’ forwards are.
The mid-season hiatus due to the COVID-19 has not helped the fitness and overall performance of the Brisbane big men.
The Broncos’ forwards did not show a go-forward attitude and looked very flat compared to the Eels.
Even the Eels’ backs showed a more positive attitude and a more aggressive game plan, chewing up the metres and performing to a standard the Broncos team needs to aspire to.
Darius Boyd, in the twilight of his career, showed a better attitude and more class than the forwards.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Jamil Hopoate and Joe Ofahengaue need some time away from first grade. They need to play for a feeder club to show they have the fitness and go-forward attitude we are all familiar with seeing from the Broncos.
The forwards were abysmal, however the whole team did not look cohesive and lacked the polish a team in the NRL needs to have to be even a chance of not being beaten week in, week out.
The current team lacks the aura of past teams even though the Broncos are studded with State of Origin and Kangaroos stars.
The Eels need to be congratulated for a top effort. They showed class all over the park and showed the hiatus hasn’t been a problem for them.
They were playing for each other. It is always great to watch a game with a team firing on all cylinders, paving the way for themselves and their fans.
All in all, it was a great start to the NRL after the mid-season hiatus.
Caleb Spicer
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the comment Fraser
Fraser
Roar Rookie
I think this was a coaching thing more than anything. The game plan was clearly to go through the middle and try to exhaust Parra's huge pack. It didn't work as the Eels line speed was incredible (even though the onside was a little dubious). When Plan A failed for the Broncos, there was no Plan B. Two bombed tries and ridiculously poor ball control didn't help.
Simoc
Guest
It was a high quality game but the higher quality was Parramatta who made the big plays consistently and scored. I like this Brisbane team and think they can deliver when they get their act together. They're not far off it. Certainly better than South Sydney who were totally outgunned for the entire game and don't look like a premiership threat anytime soon.