Broncos
29
Match Complete
Cowboys
10
| A. Milford |  | 79 | ||
| 70 |  | J. O'Neill | ||
| A. McCullough | | 66 | ||
| 60 |  | J. Kahu | ||
| 58 | | J. Kahu | ||
| J. Roberts | | 50 | ||
| J. Isaako | | 47 | ||
| T. P. Junior | | 46 | ||
| C. Oates | | 42 | ||
| J. Roberts | | 21 | ||
| J. Isaako | | 11 | ||
| C. Oates | | 9 |
| 6 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 1 | Field Goals | 0 |
Match result:
The Broncos have emphatically defeated the Cowboys 29-10 in their first home game of the season.
They have come away from this game with two points, while the Cowboy have come away from it with an injury crisis, finishing the match with just one player on the bench.
It looked to be Brisbane’s night from early on in this game. Tevita Pangai Jnr was causing carnage in the middle, laying out Cowboy after Cowboy with endless big shots, including Tongan teammate and Cowboy’s superstar Jason Taumalolo.
Pangai set up the Broncos’ first try to Corey Oates with a barnstorming run down the left edge and an offload to Jack Bird, who could have probably scored himself, but unselfishly passed to Oates who scored untouched.
The Cowboys enjoyed some good possession midway through the second half, but failed to capitalise as Brisbane were able to defend their line after giving away quite a few penalties.
The Broncos looked a bit out of sorts when trying to execute set plays, but it was through speed out wide and brute force through the middle that they were able to take a 10-0 lead into halftime.
Jamayne Isaako in particular looked very likely when bringing the ball back from kicks, and made a number of line breaks from the back.
The second half was even worse for the Cowboys. Jason Taumalolo didn’t return due to medial ligament damage suffered early in the game, while Nene MacDonald also failed to return after failing an HIA.
The Broncos absolutely dominated the ruck early in the second half, and subsequently the scoreboard, scoring 3 tries in the space of 10 minutes to Oates, Pangai Jnr and Roberts.
Every time the Cowboys kicked off, the Broncos would just continue run roughshod through the middle, with Pangai Jnr leading the charge.
The young redhead Tom Fleggler too was quite impressive, showing good strength to carry defenders with him nearly every time he ran the ball.
The Cowboys managed to score two consolation tries, but there was never any serious threat of a comeback, with Andrew McCullough’s 66th minute try snuffing out any faint hopes the Cowboys had.
The game lost a great deal of intensity in the last 10 minutes, with both sides clearly wanting it to be over.
Milford slotted a field goal in the 79th minute, and after a couple of unusual (but correct) penalties to the Cowboys – one for Kotoni Staggs touching a Cowboys’ kick off that didn’t go 10m, the other for a deliberate forward pass from Isaako – referee Grant Atkins finally called fulltime.
The Cowboys will be worried about their capacity to win without Taumalolo at his best. They will have to come up with a plan to win without him, as he showed tonight that despite his monumental effort last week, he is still human.
For the Broncos, they’ll be happy with the result, although questions will still be asked about their halves, who looked out of sorts somewhat while the game was still in the balance.
Make no mistake – they won this game because of the brilliance of Tevita Pangai junior, and the danger posed by Jamayne Isaako and James Roberts in broken play.
While Milford and Nikorima both played well, they will need to improve in future if they are to trouble the likes of the Storm and the Roosters in 2019.
Final score
Brisbane Broncos 29
North Queensland Cowboys 10
Match preview:
Round 2 will see the Brisbane Broncos at home for the first time in 2019 up against archrivals the North Queensland Cowboys. Join The Roar for live scores and a live blog from 7:55pm AEDT.
Recent history tells us this is definitely a game that neutral fans should tune into – these contests regularly deliver big hits, controversial calls, great try-scoring and saving efforts, and often golden-point extra time as well.
Expect this latest chapter in the Broncos-Cowboys rivalry to be no different.
The Broncos under new coach Anthony Seibold are coming off a Round 1 loss against the Melbourne Storm in Melbourne.
They hardly disgraced themselves – Melbourne never lose in Round 1 and they rarely lose at home.
The Broncos showed good spirit by getting back into the game in the second half, but lacked the proper execution to secure the result when it mattered – something Brisbane halves Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima have come under criticism for this week.
The Cowboys had a somewhat unexpected victory against the Dragons in Round 1, in no small part thanks to Jason Taumalolo, who ran for just over 300m with the ball, breaking his previous record of 285m (no mean feat either).
Having complete control of the side and playing behind the destructive and dominant Taumalolo, Cowboys’ halfback Michael Morgan looked much more like his 2017 self than the 2018 version.
The key to this battle is in the forwards. Last week the Cowboys’ pack destroyed a Dragons’ pack containing rep stars like Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims, Paul Vaughan and James Graham. The Broncos too have a great pack, but not good enough to roll through the Cowboys.
The Broncos need to make the Cowboys work in defence, and tire them out. They need to spread the ball early in the tackle count, allowing speed men like James Roberts (providing his back holds up) and Jamayne Issako to make ground out wide against their slower opponents.
Having the behemoth Corey Oates running the ball back from kicks will also assist their cause.
They need to offload plenty, send their back-rowers and centres back on the inside to make the Cowboys’ middle players tackle a lot, and they need to take calculated risks.
For the Cowboys, all they need to do is tempt Brisbane into a middle fight that they cannot win. With ego playing a part, the Broncos’ forwards could easily be lured into this trap.
Prediction
This match is the Cowboys’ to lose. Expect the Broncos to again give a good account of themselves, but come up just short in the end.
The Broncos simply don’t have the manpower to compete with the Cowboys in the middle. Milford and Nikorima will subsequently be operating under more pressure than they can handle while Morgan and Te Marie Martin will have all the time in the world to weave their magic.
It will be a fairly even contest for the first hour, with the Cowboys to run away with it in the end.
Cowboys by 14.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:55pm AEDT.
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
When: 7:55pm AEDT (6:55pm local time)
TV: Channel Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Broncos
1 Darius Boyd 2 Corey Oates 3 James Roberts 4 Jack Bird 5 Jamayne Isaako 6 Anthony Milford 7 Kodi Nikorima 8 Tevita Pangai Jr 9 Andrew McCullough 10 Joe Ofahengaue 11 Alex Glenn 12 David Fifita 13 Matt Gillett. Interchange: 14 Kotoni Staggs 15 Jaydn Su’a 16 Thomas Flegler 17 Shaun Fensom.
Reserves: 18 Patrick Carrigan 19 Patrick Mago 20 Richard Kennar 21 Gehamat Shibasaki
Cowboys
1 Jordan Kahu 2 Nene Macdonald 3 Justin O’Neill 4 Tom Opacic 5 Javid Bowen 6 Te Maire Martin 7 Michael Morgan 8 Matthew Scott 9 Jake Granville 10 Jordan McLean 11 Gavin Cooper 12 Coen Hess 13 Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14 John Asiata 15 Josh McGuire 16 Mitchell Dunn 17 Francis Molo.
Reserves: 18 Ben Hampton 19 Jake Clifford 20 Corey Jensen 23 Enari Tuala
Josh H
Roar Rookie
In what way was that first try 'dodgy'?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Yep, I'm expecting more calls for another crackdown by the end of the season
matth
Roar Guru
The coaches and Phil Gould won the ref war last year so we will have a game that ‘flows’ but with wrestling rife and offside defenses common. Just the way the Storm like it.
Emcie
Roar Guru
And the Storm beat the Broncos so it wasn't an issue, they beat a "good" team this week though...
matth
Roar Guru
Yes I’m talking about the posters complaining s out the storm tactics v Canberra
Nat
Roar Guru
Well done boys. Too big, fast and physical for a poor NQ team that couldn't build any pressure. TPJ has to back up that effort next and every week. Young Flegler had a cracker that should build his confidence even further. Seibold's got some selection decisions to make in the next few weeks with Haas and Lodge to come back. These teenage behemoths are knocking the door down. I'm starting to warm to Gillett in the middle for the first 25mins. He shores it up defensively and, let's face it, he doesn't have the attacking weapons he once had but if he can hold them together for the first period and swap out for big, young weapon (Su'A, Haas, Flegler and TPJ when Lodge comes back) to make an impact later in the half. Thank you Jack Bird. Brisbane finally has a left center that can pass!!! Best game so far.
Rellum
Roar Guru
To rest. Avoid more tackling whiich avoids injury. All that sort of stuff
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Despite Taumalolo's shortened minutes due to damaging his medial ligament he had still only run 44 metres in 34 mins and at that rate he would not have run for over 100 metres much less the 150 metres I expected (although I gave myself some buffer room predicting he wouldn't run for 180 metres). How many people said I was crazy again? Hey Nat, Corey Oates looked sharp scoring twice while TPJ looked to be in good form scoring a try as well. Pity they are BOTH coming to the Rabbitohs next season! Bahahahahahaha
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
No, I just saw it coming Nat. Not literally though, I missed both games as my area was in a blackout so I followed both games by mobile. At the time of posting the above we were still without power so I didn't see, and can't comment on, the Broncos form. I just knew that they couldn't be THAT bad 2 weeks in a row, especially playing at home with the crowd behind them. Thanks to your Broncos Nat one more team was kicked down the ladder while Souths escaped with a poor performance to get the 2 points against a gallant Dragons side missing 3 important players. It's lonely at the top of the mountain Nat but I did tell you to take your screenshot of the NRL ladder and the Broncos in first place before the season kicked off. The view from up here is, well something you won't be able to appreciate this year frankly but I will be happy to describe it for you as the season progresses. Assuming of course that Souths don't play as poorly again or the view from the penthouse may be short-lived. ;-)
Dunning Kruger
Roar Rookie
He used his arms on McGuire on that shoot out of the line. No problem whatsoever. The final try...... pick your reason why it wasn't a try: in front of the kicker, knock on and held up. Just be happy you got that dodgy first try haha!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Broncos didn't win last week though
Nat
Roar Guru
Papi luv'n the ponies! ;)
Rob
Guest
Not using your arms in the tackle is deemed illegal now. I’m not a fan of the total shoulder charge ban but TPJ was allowed to get away with stuff Scott, Taumalolo and McGuire have as recently as last year been suspended for. McGuire was penalised last week for a good shot because he didn’t wrap his arms? There was very little policing of the defence going early? Remember Inglis flying out of the line and being penalised for hitting Turbo. It’s great if you are allowed to do it but it totally turns the momentum if you’re penalised. All good the Broncos had a lot go their way with JT13 and others injured, Bowen being called for a knock on he didn’t touch, Roberts lost ball in contact ruled a strip. Even the last try was a guess ruled in the Broncos favour.
matth
Roar Guru
But hang on, last week everyone was loving the lack of penalties and letting the game flow. At the time I said you reap what you sow.
matth
Roar Guru
Practice
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
Point differential I guess why not add one to the tally.
Lincoln
Guest
Why did Milford kick a field goal with a minute to go when he's side was up 28-10?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
That was a nasty game. My ribs are tender from watching that. Scorelines a bit disappointing as a fan of the derby but once JT got his leg twisted in the TPJ hit cows were in deep trouble. Did well not to let them run away with at by halftime but just simply ran out of puff down on troops. I thought it was bad tactics from Brisbane slowing the play down second half. They had a full bench and were monstering the cowboys. Should’ve kept it in play as much as possible. Hard to be too critical though I just think they had a good chance to run up a cricket score and just didn’t go about it.
Griffo
Guest
Final tackle options were a killer for the Cowboys tonight. Kicking was not good enough often enough and kick chases were poor leaving Brisbane back 3 with too much space. In attack they need to stand deeper too. Too often they were getting the ball flat footed with no time and space. Apart from that I fear this Cowboys side can get a bit too worked up on the big occasions, and fumbles and poor decision making results.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Glenn was taken out of a kick chase at one stage in the first half and barely anyone even saw that either. It's not exactly shocking that a Broncs game is full of people moaning about the refs though.