PRE-GAME Round 2 - Broncos vs Cowboys

[Super Freak]

Ben Cummins is the lead ref for this game.

We have a good record against the Cowboys under him, 5 wins from 8 games.

However, our last win against the Cowboys with Cummins as ref was Round 2, 2014.

 

[Wild Horse]

This is a game where we will miss Blair the most. He didn't give a **** about Thurston or any of their players and physically bullied them. A lot of our players are too scared to do the same to Thurston, Smith, Cronk & Slater.

and now Hunt.

 

[the_next]

Bit off topic, but honestly I can’t remember another time the broncos have had so much media attention and articles written about them.

It all started with the Lodge signing/playing in round 1.
Then came the pathetic performance we displayed last Thursday night, next, how much pressure is on the halves, and then came how we have no forwards. Closely followed by our off contract superstars.
Now, it’s how our recruitment and WB have let go of multiple superstars coming thru grade, and how we have no genuine halves at the club.
Pre round 1, 90% of NRL “experts” and media personals tipped the Broncos to miss out on the 8.
So one would think all these media outlets and league “gurus” wouldn’t be surprised with our round 1 performance and actually should have been expecting it. However it’s as if they have all tipped us to win the comp

If we can somehow snare a win Friday night, it will all be about how poorly the Cowboys played, or how Brisbane got lucky with a few 50/50 calls..

Didn’t the team most of these experts picked to win the comp just get beaten by the team that most of them picked to come in the bottom 4 or even last..?

 

[Super Freak]

Shane Webcke warns Broncos the Cowboys could ’run riot’ if Brisbane’s pack doesn’t wake up

March 14, 2018

BRONCOS front row legend Shane Webcke says the reputation of Brisbane’s pack is on the line and challenged their big-name forwards to show some mongrel against the Cowboys on Friday night.

Brisbane’s forwards are under pressure to hit back in the Queensland derby after they were mauled by the Dragons in last week’s 34-12 horror show in the NRL season opener at Kogarah.

Webcke believes Brisbane have the roster to mount a legitimate title challenge this season but admits their premiership push could collapse if the Broncos aren’t well positioned when State of Origin begins in June.

If anyone understands the challenge facing the Broncos pack, it is Webcke. The former Maroons enforcer set the platform for four of Brisbane’s title wins between 1997 and 2006 and he urged Brisbane’s pack to stand up to Cowboys big boppers Jordan McLean, Jason Taumalolo and Matt Scott.

“How Brisbane’s forwards respond to the disappointing start will tell me a lot about their character and the side’s character,” said Webcke, a 254-game Broncos icon.

“The most compelling thing the Broncos pack can do is cut their errors out. If they make unforced errors this week, the Cowboys could run riot on them. They need to be wary of that.

“I always think the Broncos have a squad capable of winning the competition but you have to lose games at the right time.

“That sounds ridiculous but the reality is you will lose a certain amount of games and the key is not having a slump at the wrong time.

“This part of the year is particularly important for the Broncos.

“When you have your first team available, this is when you want to be banking your wins.

“If the Broncos don’t put together a little bank of wins now, holy hell ... by the time Origin rolls around, if the Broncos haven’t done enough in the first part of the season, they won’t be winning anything.”

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett set the tone on Monday when he barked orders at six players, including halfback Kodi Nikorima, for failing to play-the-ball properly at training.

It is the type of one per cent area the Broncos must address to overcome a monster Cowboys pack Webcke rates the biggest he has seen in North Queensland’s 23-year history.

Alarmingly, seven Broncos forwards failed to run for more than 70 metres against the Dragons. They were Sam Thaiday (41m), Alex Glenn (68m), Matt Gillett (62m), Josh McGuire (51m), Joe Ofahengaue (60m), Korbin Sims (41m) and Jaydn Su’A (27m).

“It’s a wake-up call,” Webcke said.

“I’m not surprised by Wayne’s reaction at all. This time of the year is crucial to get the little things right.

“Unless I am very mistaken, you won’t see another lacklustre performance from the Broncos. They will come out firing and it’s important they do because this Cowboys pack is massive — their rotation is incredible.”

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s-story/3ead368dfee66aebcbf99b5e8a379637[/url

 

[Stix]

View attachment 2607

Shane Webcke warns Broncos the Cowboys could ’run riot’ if Brisbane’s pack doesn’t wake up

March 14, 2018

BRONCOS front row legend Shane Webcke says the reputation of Brisbane’s pack is on the line and challenged their big-name forwards to show some mongrel against the Cowboys on Friday night.

Brisbane’s forwards are under pressure to hit back in the Queensland derby after they were mauled by the Dragons in last week’s 34-12 horror show in the NRL season opener at Kogarah.

Webcke believes Brisbane have the roster to mount a legitimate title challenge this season but admits their premiership push could collapse if the Broncos aren’t well positioned when State of Origin begins in June.

If anyone understands the challenge facing the Broncos pack, it is Webcke. The former Maroons enforcer set the platform for four of Brisbane’s title wins between 1997 and 2006 and he urged Brisbane’s pack to stand up to Cowboys big boppers Jordan McLean, Jason Taumalolo and Matt Scott.

“How Brisbane’s forwards respond to the disappointing start will tell me a lot about their character and the side’s character,” said Webcke, a 254-game Broncos icon.

“The most compelling thing the Broncos pack can do is cut their errors out. If they make unforced errors this week, the Cowboys could run riot on them. They need to be wary of that.

“I always think the Broncos have a squad capable of winning the competition but you have to lose games at the right time.

“That sounds ridiculous but the reality is you will lose a certain amount of games and the key is not having a slump at the wrong time.

“This part of the year is particularly important for the Broncos.

“When you have your first team available, this is when you want to be banking your wins.

“If the Broncos don’t put together a little bank of wins now, holy hell ... by the time Origin rolls around, if the Broncos haven’t done enough in the first part of the season, they won’t be winning anything.”

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett set the tone on Monday when he barked orders at six players, including halfback Kodi Nikorima, for failing to play-the-ball properly at training.

It is the type of one per cent area the Broncos must address to overcome a monster Cowboys pack Webcke rates the biggest he has seen in North Queensland’s 23-year history.

Alarmingly, seven Broncos forwards failed to run for more than 70 metres against the Dragons. They were Sam Thaiday (41m), Alex Glenn (68m), Matt Gillett (62m), Josh McGuire (51m), Joe Ofahengaue (60m), Korbin Sims (41m) and Jaydn Su’A (27m).

“It’s a wake-up call,” Webcke said.

“I’m not surprised by Wayne’s reaction at all. This time of the year is crucial to get the little things right.

“Unless I am very mistaken, you won’t see another lacklustre performance from the Broncos. They will come out firing and it’s important they do because this Cowboys pack is massive — their rotation is incredible.”

Source:

****, Lodge must feel like he has the weight of the world on him...The lead up to round 1 he was all over the news and now this week he's been told the success of the season is on him, after 3 years out of the game and **** all NRL experience!
Talk about a baptism of fire!

 

[holdzy]

****, Lodge must feel like he has the weight of the world on him...The lead up to round 1 he was all over the news and now this week he's been told the success of the season is on him, after 3 years out of the game and **** all NRL experience!
Talk about a baptism of fire!

At least he actually played pretty well last week - hopefully he's excited!

 

[Super Freak]

****, Lodge must feel like he has the weight of the world on him...The lead up to round 1 he was all over the news and now this week he's been told the success of the season is on him, after 3 years out of the game and **** all NRL experience!
Talk about a baptism of fire!

Who said that?

That article was just saying that the whole pack needs to aim up. He wasn't putting it all on Lodge.

 

[Stix]

Who said that?

That article was just saying that the whole pack needs to aim up. He wasn't putting it all on Lodge.

Well him and 3 other blokes... He's our starting prop, if he isn't feeling some pressure I'd be very surprised.

 

[Huge]

Lodge turned up, ready to fire in the season opener despite having the weight of the world on his shoulders. If anyone had an excuse for a poor performance, it was him. We all held our breath knowing not what to expect but being pleased he could overcome.

What excuse can the other, underachieving forwards offer ? I'm no WB but I can't understand why he isn't giving his other lifeline forward, Tagatese a chance to impress. I suppose he'll get a chance at some point but the forwards who didn't keep the roll on all got that chance. Rewarding them with another after having all the motivation to perform just seems wrong. I suppose one could argue from the viewpoint of redemption but were I boss at least one of them ( my picks Sims or Thaiday ) would be battling away in ISC.

I know Taggers is close as he makes the first's reserves but he'd be in this week in my team.

 

[Unbreakable]

https://www.broncos.com.au/news/2018/03/15/team-update---broncos-v-cowboys/

BRONCOS NRL TEAM

1. Darius Boyd ©
2. Corey Oates
3. James Roberts
4. Jordan Kahu
5. Jamayne Isaako
6. Anthony Milford
7. Kodi Nikorima
8. Matt Lodge
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Tevita Pangai
11. Alex Glenn
12. Matt Gillett
13. Josh McGuire

Interchange:

14. Sam Thaiday
15. Joe Ofahengaue
16. Korbin Sims
17. Tom Opacic

Coach: Wayne Bennett

 

[007]

Surely not Kahu at centre again!

 

[Kyall]

I bloody hope that they get Glenn off sooner rather than later and move Oates to second row n Opacic to centre.

 

[Renegade]

Looks like Oates is gonna get a run in 2nd row, most likely in the last 20. Opa to centre - Kahu to Wing, Oates to 2nd row.

Wonder if Offa and Thaiday are on a perform or perish notice.

 

[Super Freak]

Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue looks forward to battle with Jason Taumalolo

March 15, 2018

YOUNG Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue has revealed how Cowboys wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo inspired him throughout their World Cup campaign for Tonga.

The international teammates will come face-to-face when Brisbane and North Queensland meet in tomorrow night’s blockbuster showdown at Suncorp Stadium.

While Ofahengaue and Taumalolo have come up against each other a number of times on the field, last year’s World Cup was the first time they were allies.

Ofahengaue said he did not take the opportunity to seek advice from Taumalolo, who has stamped his authority as one of the game’s best forwards in recent years.

However, the Brisbane young gun said both him and his Broncos and Tongan teammate Tevita Pangai Jr took plenty of inspiration from observing the Dally M winner and the heights he has reached in the game.

“I didn’t really pick his brain but just to hang around with him, a class player like that who is a couple years older than us, it really gives us a boost of confidence,” Ofahengaue said.

“To see what he can do, hopefully we can one day do the same thing.

“Maybe not win a Dally M but we could go close to what he does.

“He’s a real good guy and it was good to get to know him on a personal level.

“As a Tongan, when you see another Tongan doing well you want to compete against each other. That’s just going to be the main thing (on Friday). Competing against him will be fun.”

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett criticised the Broncos’ forwards after their performance against the Dragons last week, with the pressure on the pack to stand up against a strong Cowboys outfit.

Taumalolo will be a major focus for the Broncos after he ran for a massive 184m off 17 runs and made 25 tackles against the Sharks.

Source: Courier Mail

 

[Super Freak]

“He’s a real good guy and it was good to get to know him on a personal level.

For ***** sake, this is not shit I want to hear before a big game.

I want to hear how you're going to make it your mission to put him on his fucking ass, not how great the bloke is.

 

[winslow_wong]

For ***** sake, this is not shit I want to hear before a big game.

I want to hear how you're going to make it your mission to put him on his fucking ass, not how great the bloke is.

Yeah they can hi 5 and hand shake after the game but before and during should be psychological warfare.

 

[BroncsFan]

Lodge turned up, ready to fire in the season opener despite having the weight of the world on his shoulders. If anyone had an excuse for a poor performance, it was him. We all held our breath knowing not what to expect but being pleased he could overcome.

What excuse can the other, underachieving forwards offer ? I'm no WB but I can't understand why he isn't giving his other lifeline forward, Tagatese a chance to impress. I suppose he'll get a chance at some point but the forwards who didn't keep the roll on all got that chance. Rewarding them with another after having all the motivation to perform just seems wrong. I suppose one could argue from the viewpoint of redemption but were I boss at least one of them ( my picks Sims or Thaiday ) would be battling away in ISC.

I know Taggers is close as he makes the first's reserves but he'd be in this week in my team.

Yes yes yes we know taggers get him in, etc. etc.

It should be mentioned though that the two bench props both got less than 35mins on the field last week and also didn't see their first taste of footy till after the 30mins mark.That is strange rotation anyway you look at it.

It would've been nice to see them up the tempo but to me they didn't real get a chance to feel their way into the game at all. Getting on so late then straight into halftime then straight off the field. It made zero sense to me.

 

[Super Freak]

It should be mentioned though that the two bench props both got less than 35mins on the field last week and also didn't see their first taste of footy till after the 30mins mark.That is strange rotation anyway you look at it.

It's not, though. That's a pretty standard prop rotation. Every other team in the comp does the same thing.

The starting props will play for about 20-30 minutes to start off with, the bench props will come on for 20-30 minutes and the starting props will come back on to finish the game.

Most bench props will play 30 minutes of game time, some less.