Danoz Direct
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- Oct 12, 2013
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broncos4life
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Go baby Broncs! Going well
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
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BRISBANE BRONCOS 30 (Nikorima, Arrow, Hipgrave, Byrnes, Saitaua tries; Taylor 5/6 goals) defeated NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 26
Brisbane finished on top in a sea-sawing contest between two of the competition's heavyweights at Suncorp.
I was really impressed with the way the Broncos started the game. Nothing fancy, they just rolled through the Cowboys in the middle and managed to earn themselves an early penalty. After testing the Cowboys down their right, Ash Taylor shifted it the other direction where he managed to put Nikorima one on one with Tia Kilifi & Jayden simply used his foot-work and speed to slam the ball over for first points.
Brisbane were on top and had ample opportunity to expand their lead but unfortunately poor passes from Berrell & Taylor then a poor last tackle option by Taylor who failed to get his foot to the ball left the Cowboys off the hook. Then off a silly 5th tackle penalty by Alex Barr, the Cowboys crossed through Brandon Smith who simply scooted over from dummy half down the Broncos left edge which is comprised of Taylor, Barr, Drew etc.
North Queensland tried a play down the Broncos right and actually had the numbers but Tia Kilifi fumbled the ball and Jayden was able to get a touch to force a scrum. Unfortunately, off the scrum, Ash Taylor decided to throw a fancy long pass that went behind his intended target in Jordan Drew and the Broncos came up with a terrible first tackle error. However, despite earning a penalty, the Cowboys ruined their opportunity when they ran an obvious obstruction down the Broncos left hand side.
Off the penalty, Brisbane worked their way into good field position (Berrell made a good scoot from dummy half and did pretty well to stay in the field of play) which allowed Taylor to hoist up a big bomb which found Te Rupe who turned the ball back to Jayden who summed the situation perfectly by placing a grubber that earned the Broncos a goal-line drop out.
Brisbane had another set to play with and nearly scored through Te Rupe off a right-side cross but the Cowboys were able to just hold him out. Unfortunately they couldn't stop Nikorima who put in another inch perfect grubber from dummy half which caused a fumble from Bowie only for Arrow to spill it. Double knock on, Goal Line Drop Out Broncos.
Then off a penalty, the Broncos finally found their way over Arrow who simply ran a good line from first receiver to cross. 10-6 Broncos.
Both teams traded sets until the Cowboys earned a penalty which got them in range and through some good hands, Conor Carey was able to cross to lock the scores up 10 points a piece.
The game was on an even keel but then the Cowboys failed to capitilise on their opportunity, turning the ball over cheaply and the Broncos were able to ruck it forward with Hipgrave scoring a very similar try to the one Arrow scored. Broncos 16-10.
That really should have been the half-time score, but once again, the Broncos defence struggled to contain giant Cowboys prop Kikau and Brandon Smith was able to steal a try from dummy half to send us into half-time 16 points a piece.
Early in the second half boom rookie Jaydn Sua made a huge break down the Broncos left hand edge that should have lead to points but unfortunately he couldn't get a pass away to his support. Fortunately it didn't cost the Broncos as they managed to score not long after through a simple second man play where Byrnes was able to stroll over close to the line while running off of Taylor. 22-16 Broncos
Then Sua came up with a mistake off the restart which invited the Cowboys back in. The Broncos actually did well to shut the Cowboys down by after about 9 minutes of cheap errors and not taking their opportunities when they were on offer, Smith was able to find the try-line off a Kikau run to score. It was really disappointing after the Broncos had done so well to hold the Cowboys out, although I must say the Cowboysreally didn't read the numbers well and actively chose the wrong option from time to time. Cows generally had a big overlap down our left but the Cows rarely went that way. 22 all.
With time ticking away, it seemed like the Cowboys were set to finish stronger as they made a huge break down the Broncos right hand side through Mosby who put through a pin-perfect chip and chase for Bowie. Fortunately the Broncos scrambled extremely well and despite the Cowboys earning a repeat set through a penalty and a one-on-one strip the Broncos held them out and were ultimately invited back into the game as Byrnes showed good awareness to let the Cows grubber go dead.
Just on that one on one strip, that was so dis-heartening for the Broncos that I thought the Cows would score for sure. The Broncos had done really well to hold the Cows out but then they placed this really threatening bomb where their outside men had all this time and space to get a better leap than ours but Dodd did a good job to position himself and take it. Unfortunately as he was running back, the ball was stripped in a huge play that the Cows couldn't take advantage of.
Off the 20m restart, the Broncos worked their way up field and earned themselves a valuable last tackle penalty as the Cows worked over Saitaua a little too long. Originally they opted for a quick tap but then they managed to earn another penalty 10m out at which point they decided to go for the two points with 6 minutes remaining. Broncos 24-22
The next play was sheer dumb luck. The Broncos rucked their way to about half-way where Taylor put up this miss-kicked bomb in no mans land, Mosby tried to get it but couldn't get control of it and Nikorima was there to earn the zero tackle. Off the repeat set, Saitaua strolled through some very tired Cowboys defence to score right under the sticks. Broncos 30-22 with 2 minutes remaining.
But before fans could look forward to first grade, Hipgrave made a simple mistake off the restart set which gave the Cows one last throw of the dice. They accepted the opportunity and Bambling placed a smart little grubber for his outside men and Conor Carey was just able to beat the Broncos chase. 30-26 Broncos.
It was going to take something special for the Cowboys to go the length of the field in 35 seconds and despite their best efforts, a daring chip and chase by Mosby was kicked dead by the scrambling defence bringing an end to the match.
So a pretty fun back and forth contest. I always felt like the Broncos were the better team but the execution was just a little off while the Cowboys were rewarded with tries that are so typical of that level of competition. I liked what I saw from the forwards but wasn't fond of the simple errors and I think they really let themselves down at times.
I liked what I saw of Byrnes and Berrell. I don't rate either as prospects but as far as players who can assist others and do their job, I felt both were among the best on-field. Arrow was as immense as ever and is a real handful with the ball, always looking to get on the outside of the defender so he can get an arm free. Finally, as you can probably tell from my review, I was a fan of Nikorima and a lot of the big plays he came up with. I didn't really mention some of his defensive reads which were much better than expected and I thought his touches really oozed class. I have no idea where his future lies at the club but he's a quality player and really if he keeps producing those type of performances, a real draw card for Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane finished on top in a sea-sawing contest between two of the competition's heavyweights at Suncorp.
I was really impressed with the way the Broncos started the game. Nothing fancy, they just rolled through the Cowboys in the middle and managed to earn themselves an early penalty. After testing the Cowboys down their right, Ash Taylor shifted it the other direction where he managed to put Nikorima one on one with Tia Kilifi & Jayden simply used his foot-work and speed to slam the ball over for first points.
Brisbane were on top and had ample opportunity to expand their lead but unfortunately poor passes from Berrell & Taylor then a poor last tackle option by Taylor who failed to get his foot to the ball left the Cowboys off the hook. Then off a silly 5th tackle penalty by Alex Barr, the Cowboys crossed through Brandon Smith who simply scooted over from dummy half down the Broncos left edge which is comprised of Taylor, Barr, Drew etc.
North Queensland tried a play down the Broncos right and actually had the numbers but Tia Kilifi fumbled the ball and Jayden was able to get a touch to force a scrum. Unfortunately, off the scrum, Ash Taylor decided to throw a fancy long pass that went behind his intended target in Jordan Drew and the Broncos came up with a terrible first tackle error. However, despite earning a penalty, the Cowboys ruined their opportunity when they ran an obvious obstruction down the Broncos left hand side.
Off the penalty, Brisbane worked their way into good field position (Berrell made a good scoot from dummy half and did pretty well to stay in the field of play) which allowed Taylor to hoist up a big bomb which found Te Rupe who turned the ball back to Jayden who summed the situation perfectly by placing a grubber that earned the Broncos a goal-line drop out.
Brisbane had another set to play with and nearly scored through Te Rupe off a right-side cross but the Cowboys were able to just hold him out. Unfortunately they couldn't stop Nikorima who put in another inch perfect grubber from dummy half which caused a fumble from Bowie only for Arrow to spill it. Double knock on, Goal Line Drop Out Broncos.
Then off a penalty, the Broncos finally found their way over Arrow who simply ran a good line from first receiver to cross. 10-6 Broncos.
Both teams traded sets until the Cowboys earned a penalty which got them in range and through some good hands, Conor Carey was able to cross to lock the scores up 10 points a piece.
The game was on an even keel but then the Cowboys failed to capitilise on their opportunity, turning the ball over cheaply and the Broncos were able to ruck it forward with Hipgrave scoring a very similar try to the one Arrow scored. Broncos 16-10.
That really should have been the half-time score, but once again, the Broncos defence struggled to contain giant Cowboys prop Kikau and Brandon Smith was able to steal a try from dummy half to send us into half-time 16 points a piece.
Early in the second half boom rookie Jaydn Sua made a huge break down the Broncos left hand edge that should have lead to points but unfortunately he couldn't get a pass away to his support. Fortunately it didn't cost the Broncos as they managed to score not long after through a simple second man play where Byrnes was able to stroll over close to the line while running off of Taylor. 22-16 Broncos
Then Sua came up with a mistake off the restart which invited the Cowboys back in. The Broncos actually did well to shut the Cowboys down by after about 9 minutes of cheap errors and not taking their opportunities when they were on offer, Smith was able to find the try-line off a Kikau run to score. It was really disappointing after the Broncos had done so well to hold the Cowboys out, although I must say the Cowboysreally didn't read the numbers well and actively chose the wrong option from time to time. Cows generally had a big overlap down our left but the Cows rarely went that way. 22 all.
With time ticking away, it seemed like the Cowboys were set to finish stronger as they made a huge break down the Broncos right hand side through Mosby who put through a pin-perfect chip and chase for Bowie. Fortunately the Broncos scrambled extremely well and despite the Cowboys earning a repeat set through a penalty and a one-on-one strip the Broncos held them out and were ultimately invited back into the game as Byrnes showed good awareness to let the Cows grubber go dead.
Just on that one on one strip, that was so dis-heartening for the Broncos that I thought the Cows would score for sure. The Broncos had done really well to hold the Cows out but then they placed this really threatening bomb where their outside men had all this time and space to get a better leap than ours but Dodd did a good job to position himself and take it. Unfortunately as he was running back, the ball was stripped in a huge play that the Cows couldn't take advantage of.
Off the 20m restart, the Broncos worked their way up field and earned themselves a valuable last tackle penalty as the Cows worked over Saitaua a little too long. Originally they opted for a quick tap but then they managed to earn another penalty 10m out at which point they decided to go for the two points with 6 minutes remaining. Broncos 24-22
The next play was sheer dumb luck. The Broncos rucked their way to about half-way where Taylor put up this miss-kicked bomb in no mans land, Mosby tried to get it but couldn't get control of it and Nikorima was there to earn the zero tackle. Off the repeat set, Saitaua strolled through some very tired Cowboys defence to score right under the sticks. Broncos 30-22 with 2 minutes remaining.
But before fans could look forward to first grade, Hipgrave made a simple mistake off the restart set which gave the Cows one last throw of the dice. They accepted the opportunity and Bambling placed a smart little grubber for his outside men and Conor Carey was just able to beat the Broncos chase. 30-26 Broncos.
It was going to take something special for the Cowboys to go the length of the field in 35 seconds and despite their best efforts, a daring chip and chase by Mosby was kicked dead by the scrambling defence bringing an end to the match.
So a pretty fun back and forth contest. I always felt like the Broncos were the better team but the execution was just a little off while the Cowboys were rewarded with tries that are so typical of that level of competition. I liked what I saw from the forwards but wasn't fond of the simple errors and I think they really let themselves down at times.
I liked what I saw of Byrnes and Berrell. I don't rate either as prospects but as far as players who can assist others and do their job, I felt both were among the best on-field. Arrow was as immense as ever and is a real handful with the ball, always looking to get on the outside of the defender so he can get an arm free. Finally, as you can probably tell from my review, I was a fan of Nikorima and a lot of the big plays he came up with. I didn't really mention some of his defensive reads which were much better than expected and I thought his touches really oozed class. I have no idea where his future lies at the club but he's a quality player and really if he keeps producing those type of performances, a real draw card for Suncorp Stadium.
1
1910
International Rep
- Apr 14, 2013
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The tries they let in from Smith were really soft. I thought Arrow was strong and Brynes again.
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
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BRONCOS NYC TEAM
1. Paul Byrnes
2. Jarryd Dodd
3. Jordan Drew
4. Jayden Nikorima
5. Nikau Terupe
6. Jacob Gagai
7. Ash Taylor
8. George Fai
9. Jayden Berrell
10. Tim Wolens
11. Jaydn S’ua
12. Alex Barr
13. Jai Arrow
Interchange:
14. Kalolo Saitaua
15. Keegan Hipgrave
16. Sam Lavea
17. Lindsay Collins
Unchanged line-up from last week.
For any Broncos supporters who join us from NZ, you'll have an opportunity to watch the boys on Sky Sports 2 from 11:30am NZ time. Unfortunately I don't think there's any legal means to access it for Broncos supporters. If you want to follow all the action live, you'll have to be up by 8:30am on Sunday.
1. Paul Byrnes
2. Jarryd Dodd
3. Jordan Drew
4. Jayden Nikorima
5. Nikau Terupe
6. Jacob Gagai
7. Ash Taylor
8. George Fai
9. Jayden Berrell
10. Tim Wolens
11. Jaydn S’ua
12. Alex Barr
13. Jai Arrow
Interchange:
14. Kalolo Saitaua
15. Keegan Hipgrave
16. Sam Lavea
17. Lindsay Collins
Unchanged line-up from last week.
For any Broncos supporters who join us from NZ, you'll have an opportunity to watch the boys on Sky Sports 2 from 11:30am NZ time. Unfortunately I don't think there's any legal means to access it for Broncos supporters. If you want to follow all the action live, you'll have to be up by 8:30am on Sunday.
Mitch06
NRL Player
- Jan 23, 2014
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Jonas Pearson scored a double for the Capras on the weekend coming off the bench to play wing....contracted to the Broncos U20s it seems. Fun fact.
Ari Gold
Master Baiter
Contributor
- Mar 13, 2008
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Would love to know what the thinking is behind Nikorima at centre.
Danoz Direct
NRL Captain
- Oct 12, 2013
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Heard he is super quick, that is exactly what we need.
Mitch06
NRL Player
- Jan 23, 2014
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From what I saw on the highlight reel it looked like he had exceptional pace, will keep an eye on him!
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
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Pearson made his Under 20s debut in Round 2 against the Sharks FWIW.
Alec
International Rep
- Mar 4, 2008
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It feels like Milford is the first quick player we've had since friggin Kemp in 08. Even Copley isn't that fast really, just a good hole runner.
Would love to see some speed come through the 20s (but they gotta have talent too, otherwise they'd just be Leon Bott).
Would love to see some speed come through the 20s (but they gotta have talent too, otherwise they'd just be Leon Bott).
Danoz Direct
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Painin the Haas
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I do remember the Raiders doing the same thing with Milford for a few weeks in the 20's. Must be some reasoning to it
Allo
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Some nice play from Marba and Anderson in those highlights fwiw
L
lionred
NYC Player
- Feb 9, 2015
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Is there anywhere we can follow the action live at 8.30am Sunday though, Big Pete? I note they are broadcasting Broncos Insider. Don't know about you all, but I would much rather watch the young bucks take on the exciting warriors team?
Big Pete
International Captain
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Not in Australia unfortunately.
Renegade
State of Origin Captain
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I will PM you.
Danoz Direct
NRL Captain
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And me please.
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