Brisbane Broncos
28
Match Complete
North Queensland Cowboys
16
| A. Reynolds |  | 77 | ||
| R. Walsh |  | 76 | ||
| 73 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 72 | | J. Nanai | ||
| A. Reynolds |  | 69 | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 51 | ||
| E. Mam | | 49 | ||
| K. Staggs | | 44 | ||
| E. Mam | | 39 | ||
| 37 | | V. Holmes | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 34 | ||
| K. Capewell | | 33 | ||
| 18 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 5 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 3 | | J. Nanai |
| 5 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 2 of the NRL Premiership continues this evening with the Brisbane Broncos hosting the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm (AEDT).
Spirits are high in Queensland after all four of the state’s NRL teams recorded victories in round one, including the Broncos downing the defending premiers Penrith away from home and the Cowboys, despite some wobbles in the second half against a determined Canberra team, eventually prevailing in Townsville.
The Broncos know better than most that early season form means little and can be a distant memory come late August, but they showed enough against the Panthers, especially in defence, to suggest their form is unlikely to disappear in the space of just seven days.
While the Cowboys are probably a more fluent and potent attacking force than Penrith at this point in the season, they’re still likely to have a hard time breaching the miserly Broncos’ defence. Brisbane is also bolstered by Reece Walsh’s inclusion at fullback and haven’t reported any injuries from last week. Looking good, right?
Well yes, the Broncos will start as slight favourites, but they’re still going to need to outscore the Cowboys, and it’s not like they eviscerated the Panthers last Friday. In fact, they made the most of very limited opportunities to win that game and, given the Cowboys’ attacking credentials, Brisbane will probably need to create a little more this evening.
North Queensland’s extra polish in the halves and on the edges could be crucial, especially in a tight tussle. While they had a little wobble against the Raiders, they set up the victory in the first half and executed when it mattered in the second.
Their record against the Broncos in recent years is very good, including winning two of the last three at Suncorp.
Prediction
If round one means anything – and it probably doesn’t – we’re in for a tight, low-scoring affair. But games between these two teams have a habit of being classics and rarely follow any logic other than their own. It could easily finish 8-6, 38-36 or just about anything.
In the anarchic spirit of the fixture, I’m going to tip a slight upset.
Cowboys by 12
Game information
Kick-off: 8pm (AEDT)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TV: Nine, Fox League
Streaming: Kayo Sports, NRL Live Pass
Betting: Broncos $1.77, Cowboys $2.05 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Broncos
1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou
Redcap
Roar Guru
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
Likewise. Gutted for Corey.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah fair enough The wording of the law is actually based on opinion Mine is that if someone gets over the line but it’s held up… there’s a reasonable chance that he works have got there Anyway, it’s not a hill I want to die on. It was a terrible shot
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
Look I respect your opinion but don’t agree. There’s always going to be an element of doubt, we don’t have a crystal ball. Being realistic, he scores that 9 times out of ten, how high a probability do you need to be awarded the penalty try? Otherwise what’s the point of the rule?
The Barry
Roar Guru
He got over the line and didn’t ground it so you can’t say 100 out of 100. There were other defenders there. For me, not a high enough probability he scores for it to be a penalty try Drinkwater should definitely should have been marched
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
I mean, if that’s not a penalty try, what is? It’s in the act of scoring, he was millimetres from getting it down, it’s a shoulder charge which is illegal, it’s also a high tackle directly to the face which is illegal, SD makes no attempt to lower his height or make a normal tackle and he had heaps of time to adjust. There’s no way Hiku gets his arms under that ball if that freight train of forward energy isn’t slowed down by the shoulder to the face, Oates scores that try 100 out of 100 times.
Rob
Guest
Drinkwater stopped and was slightly wrong footed. Almost the entire force of the collision was generated by Oats momentum. It’s awkward and unfortunate more than malicious intent. Drinkwater plants his feet and comes out of the contact backwards as Oats goes through the collision head on. I can’t see anything more than 4. It was more accidental than intentional.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
I thought he would add to the Broncos undersized spine. I'm happy to admit I'm wrong. Walsh is electric. Mam plays like a guy much bigger than he is, yet still has vision, skill, and speed. Let's go Broncos!
Jock
Guest
Such disappointing contact from Drinkwater. He is a marvellous player, particularly in attack. But essentially, in order to avoid the braver contact he illegitimately hit Oates. There is no surprises with how Oates goes to the line...upright, looking to go with strength and determination. Drinkwater's hit lacked those commodities. Otherwise a great game where both teams can see their execution at times lacked composure. The best, hopefully, is yet to come.
Rob
Guest
Well played Broncos. To good and the ingredients are there for a massive year. Walsh is almost unstoppable. What a talent. The Cowboys just couldn’t keep up with the youngsters. It’s a problem the Cowboys have with a bunch of veterans scattered across the park and no real speed outside of Holmes and a few of the under 25year old player. Bad luck for Oats and an unfortunate injury. I could mount a defence for Drinkwater being wrong footed but he’s a terrible defender and really needs to work on his technique.
GB
Roar Rookie
No. I keep my first and second nuts safe. Nibble Nobbies instead. :laughing:
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Even so, scores were level at half time.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Pace,there is no substitute.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
I’ll have another look in the cold sober light of day but atm it looks just like a bad accident to me. Just don’t see six weeks in that.
R N
Roar Rookie
Hope you enjoyed the game at "Lang Park" if not the scoreline tonight Jimmmy! After last season I thought Payton would convert Hiku to a Walker like interchange and find a position to start Hammer... instead we let Hammer go to Dolphins!? Why would you give a Ferrari away?
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
It’s possible to get your second nuts. :silly:
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
No mate, 2 pints only. I can't drink the stuff at the ground Broncs were in front except the first 10 .
JVGO
Guest
Broncos forwards are scary. Carrigan, Flegler, and Haas are all better than Fifita will ever be.
GB
Roar Rookie
Well done David. Great call. Job very well done. We all appreciate it. Cheers. :thumbup:
GB
Roar Rookie
That happened a looong time ago! :laughing: