The Brisbane Broncos have stormed to the top of the Pre-Season Challenge ladder courtesy of a 40-14 win over Manly on Saturday night.
The Broncos racked up seven tries and seven line breaks for a total of 14 points to move level with the Roosters on 28 points but with a better for-and-against tally. The Raiders (15) and Wests Tigers (14) are still to play their matches.
In wet conditions at 4 Pines Park it was Manly who got the ball rolling in the fourth minute when five-eighth Jamie Humphreys laid on a try for Brad Parker on the right edge.
Eight minutes later Humpreys again turned provider when he put Cameron Brown into a hole and the centre found Max Lehmann for Manly's second try.
The Broncos hit back in the 17th minute when halfback Kurt Falls showed good footwork and strength to score from 10 metres to make it 10-6.
After the Sea Eagles had a try ruled out for obstruction in the 31st minute it was the Broncos who took the lead through a converted try to train-and-trialist Kalolo Saitaua.
Brad Parker Try
On the stroke of half-time the Broncos extended their lead when Josh Patston put in a clever kick for Sione Hopoate, who had the ball illegally kicked out of his hands as he tried to ground it and a penalty try was awarded. Josh Rogers converted for an 18-10 lead.
Just 60 seconds after the break the Broncos struck again when Delouise Hoeter crossed in the right hand corner after Manly had made a mess of the kick-off.
Kurt Falls Try
Trailing 22-10 the Sea Eagles hit back when Lehmann made it a double courtesy of a nice pass from Tylor Bunting.
Midway through the second half the Broncos wrapped up a five-try bonus point when Cory Paix powered over from dummy half and the score blew out to 28-14.
A second try of the night for Falls in which he handled the ball three times put the result beyond doubt and from there the Broncos were left to chase the 10 offloads they needed for a full haul of bonus points.
With five minutes to play it was Patston grabbing a four-pointer to make it 40-14 but the offload tally would finish up just shy of the required 10.
The Broncos have a points differential of +52 with the Roosters just behind on +50.
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Match Snapshot
- Sea Eagles fullback Bailey Hodgson had 207 metres from 19 runs and broke five tackles.
- The Broncos have gone top of the Pre-Season Challenge ladder courtesy of their win with bonus points for tries and line breaks.
- Ben Te Kura was strong up front for Brisbane with 11 runs for 108 metres.
- Toafofoa Sipley made 125 metres for Manly from 12 big runs but he won't be in Vegas next week due to suspension.
Delouise Hoeter Try
- Ethan O'Neill is the son of Julian O'Neill, who played 105 games for the Broncos between 1991 and 1995 and won two premierships with the club.
- Joseph Tamane played for the Storm and Titans before switching codes and playing 17 Tests for the Wallabies. At 34 he is back in the NRL and looking for a shot with the Broncos.
- Delouise Hoeter had a powerful game in the centres for Brisbane with 145 run metres, five tackle breaks and a try while his centre partner Ethan Quai-Ward had seven tackle breaks.
Play of the Game
Kurt Falls' second try of the night was a beauty, with the halfback touching the ball three times in a slick left side raid that also featured Sione Hopoate, Ethan Quai-Ward and Josh Rogers.
Kurt Falls Try
What's Next
The Sea Eagles open their 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership campaign in Las Vegas against the Rabbitohs.
The Broncos are also part of the historic opening round, taking on the Roosters in the second match of the day at Allegiant Stadium.