Michael Maguire’s Brisbane Broncos sound ominous NRL warning with 50-14 thrashing of Roosters

Michael Maguire’s hard-edge style has paid instant dividends for the Broncos, who sounded an ominous title warning with a thumping season-opening win over the Roosters.

• SuperCoach: Five things we learned from Roosters v Broncos

Michael Maguire launched his Red Hill revolution in style as Brisbane’s big guns gave the premiership mentor his maiden win as Broncos coach with a brutal 50-14 belting of the Roosters.

The Broncos sounded an ominous title warning with hat-trick hero Selwyn Cobbo, veteran halves Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds and menacing Payne Haas firing Brisbane to a thumping season-opening win at Allianz Stadium.

Cyclone Alfred may be threatening to lash southeast Queensland but Brisbane’s stars played with no worries as Cyclone Madge blew the Roosters off the park in a nine-try hatchet job.

In his first game as coach succeeding Kevin Walters, Maguire’s hard-edge style paid instant dividends for the Broncos, who overcame an early 4-0 deficit to post a half-century with power, pace and precision

Jack Gosiewski celebrates a try with his Broncos teammates. Picture: Getty Images

WORLD OF PAYNE

Brisbane’s revamped midfield has a better blend of toughness, skill and presence and the Roosters were the first victims.

The Chooks will have nightmares about Haas. The 119kg brute inflicted a world of ‘Payne’. There was a clever inside ball for Cory Paix’s 20th-minute try and, despite observing Ramadan, Haas oozed energy as he tore through the midfield with 145 metres and 11 tackle busts.

If Paas was powerful, his new partner-in-crime Pat Carrigan was supremely purposeful in his sensational switch from lock to the engine room.

Aside from 202m, Carrigan put Jack Gosiewski (26th) over with a neat short ball and Brisbane’s tower of terrors were ably supported by new No.13 Kobe Hetherington, who ran like a man possessed.

Payne Haas on the charge for the Broncos. Picture: NRL Photos

HALF THEIR LUCK

Hunt and Reynolds. What a pairing. They may be the oldest halves in the league, but if this is any sign, the 34-year-olds could orchestrate a Broncos premiership in 2025.

In his first game back in Broncos colours, former Dragons skipper Hunt was all control at five-eighth, having a hand in Brisbane’s opening try to Gehamat Shibasaki (15th) and finishing a superb team effort himself 15 minutes from time.

Profiting from Hunt’s cool head, Reynolds had even more space to pull the strings, capping a fine game himself with a precision grubber for Cobbo’s second try to leave the Roosters in tatters.

Ben Hunt looked good back in Broncos colours. Picture: Getty Images

HOOKING GOOD

Reborn Cory Paix gave Brisbane some zip around the rucks with an impressive premiership start in the newly-claimed No.9 jumper.

Ending a 553-day NRL exile after unseating Billy Walters for the starting hooking spot, Paix was a revelation, setting the tone in the early exchanges.

His short-side rush for Hunt to release Shibasaki early was sublime and the willing rake crossed himself five minutes later charging onto a Payne Haas inside ball for a 12-4 lead.

Brisbane’s other comeback kids, Shibasaki and back-rower Gosiewski, vindicated their selection by both crossing for tries.

RATTLED ROOSTERS

Alarm bells are ringing for the Roosters. Granted, it’s only round 1, but this was an appalling performance from one of the NRL’s glamour clubs.

The Roosters are in a transition phase following the loss of Luke Keary, Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and coach Trent Robinson will lament his side’s lack of discipline and midfield presence.

To compound their woes, back-rower Angus Crichton was reported for a 47th-minute late shot on Hunt, who combined nicely with fullback Reece Walsh.

Superstar Walsh (171m) was largely quiet but he exploded into action in the 57th minute to bury the Chooks as Brisbane hit the Roaring Forties and sent shockwaves through the NRL.