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Broncos roast Roosters as star breaks 78-game try duck while Chooks veteran sets new record

Roosters veteran winger Daniel Tupou became the club’s greatest try-scorer on Thursday night, but it was the Broncos who won the match with a convincing 32-10 victory.

Eamonn Tiernan
2 min read
July 27, 2023 - 10:19PM
Herbie Farnworth crosses for the Broncos' first try.
Herbie Farnworth crosses for the Broncos' first try.

Roosters veteran winger Daniel Tupou became the club’s greatest try-scorer but it was the Broncos who won the match with a convincing 32-10 victory on Thursday night.

It was a historic night for try-scorers as Brisbane superstar Patrick Carrigan scored the first of his NRL career, while his teammate Tyson Smoothy was only denied breaking his duck in controversial circumstances.

Smoothy was set to score his first NRL try in the second half but was staggeringly stopped at point-blank range when referee Grant Atkins got in his way.

The Broncos didn’t take long to open the at the Gabba after players ran out with the NRL logo covered as part of their boycott amid tense pay deal negotiations.

Roosters skipper James Tedesco made a try-saving tackle on Kurt Capewell but it only delayed the try by one play.

Englishman Herbie Farnworth took on the Roosters’ right edge and managed to wriggle his way past four defenders to score the opener in the fifth minute.

“He spins out of the tackle and beats four easy,” Shane Flanagan said on Fox League.

Brisbane crossed again in the 15th minute when Reece Walsh put a deft kick in for Ezra Mam who came racing through and collected at speed to score a sensational try.

“Ezra Mama has been launched out of a cannon to field the kick from Reece Walsh,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.

“That is class,” Flanagan responded.

The Broncos have scored more tries off kicks (25) this season than any other side in the competition.

Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was put on report for high shot on Payne Haas in 25th minute and Reynolds slotted the ensuing penalty goal for a 14-0 lead.

Reynolds then put Kangaroos and Maroons star Carrigan over for his first ever NRL try to break a 78-game duck.

Carrigan has moved to the right edge in recent weeks and Reynolds came good on his promise to get the star forward a try with a short ball in the 35th minute.

The Brisbane forward was the most experienced played in the NRL without a try leading into the game and all 12 of his teammates swamped him with an epic doggie pile.

The Roosters finally crossed in the 66th minute when Luke Keary put a kick up and it fell for Billy Smith to dive over.

But Brisbane struck straight back when Kotoni Staggs pounced on a loose pass from Roosters hooker Brandon Smith to seal the result.

The result was well and truly decided but the Roosters had reason to celebrate in the 72nd minute when Tupou became the club’s most prolific try-scorer.

Keary kicked to the corner for the Roosters veteran who collected it unmarked to score his 140th NRL try and break Anthony Minichello’s record.

Mam scored a runaway try at the death to rub salt in the wound of the Roosters’ season which now looks dead and buried.

Originally published as Broncos roast Roosters as star breaks 78-game try duck while Chooks veteran sets new record

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/broncos-roast-roosters-as-star-breaks-78game-try-duck-while-chooks-veteran-sets-new-record/news-story/9f9d3bbf3467ca7df8b31660be66e973