REPORT | Brisbane Broncos 38-18 South Sydney Rabbitohs
Brisbane Broncos finish strong against the South Sydney Rabbitohs to win 38-18 at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
MATCH DETAILS
In a crucial game for the home side in the Broncos, it could not have been a better start. Suncorp saw their Brisbane side lead 18-8 at the break with two overlapping tries to winger Corey Oates. A four-pointer leading into halftime allowed South Sydney to come back into the game in the second half. Penalties mounting on the Broncos allowed corner tries on both sides of the field to the Bunnies having scores become level at 18 all. A stale mate affair continued before a repeat set developed from Broncos mounted enough pressure for the flood gates to open, three tries in 16 minutes to the home side made for a great finish and bounce back win with a 38-18 score against the Rabbitohs.
FOUR POINTERS
BRONCOS FINALS HOPES FIRM
Brisbane returned to winning ways with a convincing win against one of the premiership favourites in South Sydney. Early sides had Broncos showing their previous form before their back to back losses in the last fortnight, well crafted tries to their edges had them leading at the half. A shaky period just before the break and opening stages of the second stanza allowed Rabbitohs to equal, but the occasion was too much for the away side to handle with the Brisbane outfit running away with the fixture to regain creditability of them finishing in the top 8.
MILFORDS GAME CHANGER
It was a massive moment in the 57th minute that shaped the fortunes of the Broncos with a calculated Anthony Milford kick. Two tries conceded and the Bunnies parked at their goal line with repeat sets it looked dire for the home side. A chance to Brisbane moments later saw a 30 metre stabbing kick from Milford force a goal line drop out changing the game, with his side scoring off the next set and regaining huge momentum.
OATES STARS FOR BRISBANE
Corey Oates with a tremendous record against his opposition in Souths was able to sure up his sides top 8 finish. The winger had his best game of the season with three tries, now having scored 12 tries in their past seven meetings. Oates with his hat-trick made 188 run metres with 3 line and 6 tackle breaks.
SOUTHS SEASON TURNING SOUR
The Rabbitohs in the first half looked lethargic and depleted with their backline going into the game hit hard with injuries. It was evident that the lack of experience in their backline and the toll of playing Storm and Roosters in the two previous games had turned South Sydney’s top 4 finish upside down. They will need to bounce back next round before their title hopes become soured with a poor ending to the regular season.
THE RESULT
Broncos 38
Tries: Oates (3), Sims, Fifita, Nikorima
Goals: Isaako 7/8
Rabbitohs 18
Tries: Kennar (2), Hunt
Goals: Reynolds 3/4
SQUADS
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Jordan Kahu 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 15. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Sam Thaiday 11. Alex Glenn 12. Tevita Pangai Jnr 13. Josh Mcguire
Interchange: 8. Matthew Lodge 16. Korbin Sims 17. David Fifita 18. Patrick Mago
Rabbitohs: 1. Dane Gagai 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Braidon Burns 4. Tyrell Fuimaono 5. Richard Kennar 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. George Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Angus Crichton 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange:14. Mawene Hiroti 15. Cameron Murray 16. Jason Clark 17. Junior Tatola
