Staggs double leads Broncos to big win over Rabbitohs
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The Broncos have staked their premiership credentials, overcoming the Rabbitohs 36-20 in front of a sellout crowd at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday night.
Despite losing two of their men to the sin bin during the match, the Brisbane powerhouse dominated the error-riddled Rabbitohs with Adam Reynolds producing an attacking masterclass and Reece Walsh starring in his first game back from suspension.
However, the Round 21 victory could come at a cost for the Broncos with veteran forward Martin Taupau placed on report and sin-binned after lifting his knee high into Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham while running with the ball.
Taupau sent to the bin
It was Alex Johnston who opened the Rabbitohs account in the fifth minute thanks to some quick hands out to the left edge.
But four minutes later the Broncos hit back through centre Staggs, thanks to a lobbed pass to the right from returning fullback Walsh.
Kotoni Staggs try 9th minute
Come the 11th minute and Taupau was sent to the sin bin for a bizarre incident involving the forward lifting his knee high into contact with incoming Rabbitoh defender Graham.
Having only conceded a Blake Taffe penalty goal while down to a 12-man disadvantage, the Broncos made up for any lost momentum when Walsh racked his second try assist, creating space for Selwyn Cobbo to strike on their right edge.
Selwyn Cobbo try 23rd minute
Just as the Broncos looked to be heading into the break with a four-point lead, Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook and centre Graham combined on the stroke of halftime, to put the Rabbitohs in front 14-12.
The opening of the second stanza was all Reece Walsh when the Maroons fullback looked to get one back for the Broncos before Johnston chased the 21-year-old down and dragged him into touch inches before the line.
Try saver from Johnston
But seemingly determined to make up for lost time after three weeks on the sideline, the Broncos star had a point to prove, slicing again through South Sydney's defence from 40m downfield and this time finding the line in the 50th minute. Adam Reynolds converted to give the Broncos an 18-14 lead.
The Broncos looked to be winning the arm wrestle when forward Xavier Willison crossed for his 3rd career try four minutes before Staggs bagged made it a double on the right edge.
But come the 68th minute and ill-discipline started to take its toll for the visitors when winger Jesse Arthars was sin binned for a high tackle on fullback Blake Taffe.
This time Jason Demetriou's men were quick to capitalise on the extra man and a Cody Walker offload to centre Isaiah Tass saw the Rabbitohs cross left of the posts and reduce the deficit 30-20 with ten minutes to play.
While the Rabbitohs were looking to kickstart a comeback, Reynolds ensured the Round 21 match was the Broncos' with a 75 minute try to put the finishing touches on a great night out for the veteran halfback.
Recording their third-straight victory, the Broncos moved to top of the leaderboard while the Rabbitohs have been left clinging onto life in the top eight.
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 21 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
9th Position
away Team
Broncos
1st Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
Match Snapshot
- Martin Taupau was placed on report and sent to the sin bin in the 13th minute after raising his knee into Rabbitohs defenders.
- Broncos winger Jesse Arthars was placed on report and sent to the bin in the 69th minute for a late tackle on Rabbitohs fullback Blake Taffe.
- With his fifth minute try, Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston became the third all-time NRL tryscorer with 181.
- Reece Walsh returned in style for the Broncos with the fullback chalking up one try, one assist, four tackle breaks, two line breaks and 208 run metres.
- The Rabbitohs completed at 65 per cent with 15 errors.
Reece Walsh try 50th minute
- Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham has scored seven tries in his past six games against the Broncos.
- Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam left the field in the 66th minute with reported cramping and did not return.
- Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored six tries in his past five games.
- The Broncos have won nine from ten away from home in 2023.
Play of the Game
With a man down and five minutes to play, momentum was all the Rabbitohs way but Broncos stars of the day Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs quickly broke down South Syndey's defence to put their halfback through for one of his own. Reynolds was at his playmaking best against his former club, having a hand in several of the visitors' early tries but the 33-year-old well and truly put the game to bed when he iced the Broncos' hard-fought victory in the 75th minute.
Adam Reynolds try 74th minute
What They Said
"Obviously bitterly disappointed. Our execution and attack were poor and that led to a lot of errors and brought some fatigue into the game but I'm really disappointed with that last 30 minutes. To be honest I don't think we were up for the physicality, I don't think we came to the game with a defensive, physical side to us. It was pretty embarrassing by the end. Tt's attitude, tonight our attitude was poor. There were times where we wanted to fight and blokes like Jai Arrow were just absolutely ripping in there and giving everything for his teammates but we had too many blokes that weren't good teammates tonight. There was too many that weren't even close to rating what's an acceptable rate at NRL." - Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou
Rabbitohs: Round 21
"It's another good win, we've had a lot of good wins this year but we are still just building here as a club. We've got a lot of games left in the season. Each week we keep winning, we keep getting closer to where we want to get to.
You can only really face that (sin bin) at game time. You can practice all you like at training but that 12-man syndrome, defending and even when you get the ball you need to find some energy to cart the ball downfield. I was particularly happy with that.
He got a warning through the week from the NRL and Marty (Taupau) was well aware of it so we've got to get that out of his game. I think he got a bit excited, he hasn't started all year." - Broncos coach Kevin Walters
Broncos: Round 21
What's Next
The Rabbitohs travel to Tamworth to meet with the Wests Tigers, hoping to welcome back fullback Latrell Mitchell for the first time in 11 weeks while the Broncos host the Roosters at the Gabba to open Round 22 on Thursday night.
