Broncos NYC 2014

[Morkel]

Commentators just said that Oates could have played? Do they have to play a certain number of games for the u20s to be eligible? Or just anyone at the right age can play?

I think there's a max amount of FG they can play before being ineligible for 20s.

 

[Big Pete]

I thought you had to play a certain limit like the ISC but it appears it doesn't really matter.

 

[austin71]

Broncos flogging the Tigers now 42 -18

 

[ivanhungryjak]

No wonder this goose is commentating 20's and got punted from NRL. Up until about 10 points ago, Tigers were only losing because they didn't challenge some refs decisions, apparently. It must hurt these blokes to have to wrap the Bronocs.

 

[cjmcevoy]

Final score please?

 

[Super Freak]

42-18

 

[Donny]

Pitty Molo and Oates won't be playing the semi. Our pack with those two guys would be awesome. Joe was enormous tonight but with the other two in the side I think he would play even better. Less of a target on his back.

 

[noisetheory]

great performance in the second half. what i like the most was the way the broncs defense was getting stuck into the tigers keeping them in their own end, even into the last 10 mins of the match.

thought duncan paia'aua (unsure of spelling) was a real standout, looked a class above. shame hes going to the reds.

 

[Big Pete]

No wonder this goose is commentating 20's and got punted from NRL. Up until about 10 points ago, Tigers were only losing because they didn't challenge some refs decisions, apparently. It must hurt these blokes to have to wrap the Bronocs.

That was strange. After pondering about it over a couple of tackles he back-peddled and made the point that the Tigers were terrible and the Broncos were the better team on the night.

I've been outspoken about his commentary in the past and really don't like how he commentates this level. If ever I needed to be educated on the players, it's NYC and all he does is ramble about referees or the odd player he knows a thing or two about.

-------

As for the game itself...

Going in, I thought it'd be a pretty comfortable win to the Broncos. With Cherrington out, I thought the Tigers had lost their key player and the Broncos should have too much strike for them.

In the end, that's how it turned out but that effort in the first half was frustrating and the Broncos basically handed the Tigers the game at 18-8 and them going pretty close to extending that lead on multiple occasions.

Fortunately, they literally handed it straight back through Mason Farrell and once Jayden Nikorima weaved his magic, they were there for the picking.

Thought on the players...

Kodi Nikorima - Mixed game. Good involvement and displayed some good foot-work which created opportunities but just couldn't capitilise on them. Too many errors including a crucial one that could have sunk the team.

Paul Byrnes - Bombed a try which gave the Tigers all the momentum before finishing the evening with two tries. Didn't seem to get all that involved and just looks a little lost on the wing. He's a fullback or not at all for mine.

Tom Opacic - There are certain players in the competition who will be lucky to ever make an NRL training squad and they're just good honest players who give it a red hot go - Opacic is one of those players. Made some really handy runs which lead to opportunities, bagged two tries and handled Heleta who is a try-scoring machine. Only disappointment was the knock on he came up with after he raced 60m. Should have done everything to ensure he retained possession and it was well and truly an opportunity missed.

Jordan Drew - An understated game from Drew. Played the full 80 and came up with some really strong defensive plays but didn't get the opportunity to really do a lot with the ball. I was still pretty impressed with him, easy to go missing out-wide but Drew made his involvements count even when the game was going against him.

Jack Tuttle - Was really impressed with him. Returned the ball well, was a weapon in the air causing the Tigers to make mistakes and did well to set up Opacic.

Duncan Paia'aua - Good game from Duncan. Took him awhile to get involved and his defence on the Te Maire Martin try was crap but when the Tigers were there to be finished off, Duncan did very well to sum it all up and do it himself. He's off to Rugby but I just wonder how he would have gone in the NRL if we gave him a shot?

Ash Taylor - Had some classy but took a backseat to others and looked to have some stage fright.

Aaron Rockley - Solid performance from what I saw.

Jayden Berrell - Was extremely involved in the first half and came up with some good plays but seemed to be over-playing his hand and blunted the Broncos attack. Things took a really bad turn when he got caught on the last and then caught offside in two instances that lead directly to tries. Came back on and finished with a nice kick but a frustrating afternoon. Still not sold on his service either - sort of has this scoop style which can go above the players heads at times.

Joe Ofahengaue - A pretty safe pick for MotM. Was very strong through the middle in the opening exchanges and got through a mountain of work. Considering he made 21 runs for 246m the week before, he's certainly one to look out for and he still has another year of NYC footy if Bennett wants to keep him down here. Only concern I have is that he has issues with bending the line and I've seen him driven back in this level.

Brett Greinke - Scored a good try but he's one of those players that seems to go missing an awful lot.

Brendon McBryde - He was OK. Was unlucky to have a knock on ruled against him and did well to hold onto a Taylor bat on but honestly struggle to remember him doing much else. Seems to be on Taylor protecting duties and considering Funaki didn't completely demolish Ash, I'd give him a pass.

Jai Arrow - Outside of one hospital pass to Taylor, I thought he was right up there as one of the best on the field. Gets through a mountain of work, seems to always get through tackles and bend the line. Will be interested to see how he goes after a full off-season in the NRL.

Jayden Nikorima - Thought he was the difference maker. His kicking game is on a whole new level and the way he's able to strike the ball and get back-spin on it is just freakish. He's somebody I reckon will definitely play NRL, just a matter of when but I reckon if you got him to put in the same performance next week, things wouldn't work out like they did. Thought his defence at hooker was pretty suss but I reckon the Broncos have just got to take that risk at this point. He's too good to leave out.

George Fai - Came on part-way through the second half, produced some promising runs through the middle before going off. I like him, but he's just a prospect, even at NYC level. Wouldn't be against him being given an opportunity to work with the NRL squad.

Ajuma Adams - If ever there's a bench specialist, Adams is that guy. He's the type of player who has too many mistakes in his game to start but if the team needs to lift, Ajuma is the type of player who's willing to put his hand up and try things to get things going.

Alex Barr - A quiet game, didn't really notice him.

 

[Splinter]

It was no co incidence the Tigers rolled through our middle when Arrow was subbed off in the first half

 

[LockNLoad]

 

[Mitch06]

Why did we let Paia'uau leave :(

 

[Allo]

Why did we let Paia'uau leave :(

Because Hunt, Barba, Taylor, Nikorima x 2 + any ISC invites/signings.

Reds would've been happy with that highlight reel. That's a reassuring sign too that he went to rugby instead of another club. Might be a chance to get him back eventually if need be

 

[Porthoz]

Why did we let Paia'uau leave :(

Because we can't keep them all...

We have Barba, Hunt, Milford, Taylor and both Nikorimas... something's gotta give.

 

[1910]

The 20 minutes in the first half was terrible, but at half time they composed and were very mature about the situation. Very impassive leadership.

No injuries that'll stop anyone next week.

 

[1910]

Pitty Molo and Oates won't be playing the semi. Our pack with those two guys would be awesome. Joe was enormous tonight but with the other two in the side I think he would play even better. Less of a target on his back.

He's been great all year, leads the comp for hit ups, he has physically matured this year. Which was one of the things he was given to work on.

 

[Big Pete]

Some interesting stats from FW1

All these feature amongst the stats leaders.

Top Running Metres
Jo Ofahengaue - 246m

Top Tryscorers
Jordan Drew 2

Most Hit Ups/Runs
Jo Ofahengaue - 21

Most Offloads
Ajuma Adams 3
Jai Arrow 3
Kodi Nikorima 3

Top Line-Break Assists
Ash Taylor 2

Kicks In Play
Duncan Paia'aua 9

Top Dummy-Half Runners
Jayden Berrell 8

Most Line-Breaks
Jordan Drew 2

Most Missed Tackles
Jayden Berrell 10

Most Penalties
Jayden Berrell 2

Most Try Assists
Ash Taylor 3

 

[Alec]

Taylor was only average with those stats?

Is that like when Parker is average when he doesn't make 6 offloads or 200m?