NRL 2020: Wests Tigers beat Brisbane Broncos 48-0 | Match Report
The Broncos’ season from hell has taken a turn for the worse, with the Tigers running riot at Leichhardt Oval. Michael Maguire’s gambles paid dividends as the Tigers scored 48 unanswered points.
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For the Tigers, it was like something out of a dream.
For Brisbane, it was the continuation of a nightmare from which they must feel they may never wake.
In one of their best performances under Michael Maguire, the Tigers ran out 48-0 winners at Leichhardt Oval on the back of brilliant performances from Benji Marshall and Harry Grant.
The Tigers ran up their highest score in almost five years in their biggest ever win over the Queenslanders and recorded their first shutout since 2012.
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* Storm 42 Titans 6: Read the full report
BRONCOS BUSTED
Brisbane’s win over Canterbury last week has clearly only papered over the cracks and they have resumed their grim march through what is fast becoming the worst season in Broncos history.
There was nothing overly complex about the Tigers five-try blitzkrieg in the opening half – they were up 26-0 at the break because they moved with more purpose, chased loose balls that little bit harder and were more willing to throw themselves into physical contests
In short, they played with the kind of desperation and hunger the Broncos have lacked all season.
“There’s nothing you can say. We’re out of words,” said Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold.
“There’s no excuses. We’re down on troops but it’s no excuse for a performance like that.
“I don’t know how I can defend that performance tonight.
“We’ve got a group there that obviously can’t handle any chaos, or anything going against them.
“We’re so far off where we want to be, or where we can be.”
We keep waiting for things to turnaround for Brisbane, for regular service to resume and their undeniable talent and potential to shine through like sunlight through the clouds.
But we are halfway through the season now and it is clear this is not a temporary crisis – it has happened too many times. Performances like this have quickly gone from aberrations to the new normal and they crashed through rock bottom some time ago.
To rub just a little extra salt into the wound, they will be without Corey Oates for some time after he suffered a femur fracture in the second half and was transported to hospital.
NEW SPINE
Maguire shocked many when he benched star halfback Luke Brooks but the move paid off in spades as the ageless Benji Marshall made the most of his return to the starting side.
In his first start since Round 4 Marshall scored a try, set up three more and steered the Tigers around the park expertly.
“I got the Benji Marshall that I know can play and perform the way he did,” Maguire said.
“It’s a good lesson for any young kid, or senior player in the game – put your head down and work. That’s what Benji did.”
His halves partner Billy Walters also enjoyed a night out and played the best game of his nascent career, capped by a remarkable try in the second half when he managed to get his foot to a falling Marshall bomb and won the race to touch down.
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Earlier he showed fine touch to put Leilua over for a try in the first half with a short ball.
“I thought Billy and Benji were good tonight and Brooksy will chime in when the time is right,” Maguire said.
“(Billy’s) a real competitor and it was really good to see him have a good night out.”
Brooks only played the final 15 minutes and seems long odds to force his way back into the starting 13 for next week’s clash with Parramatta.
GRANT DOES IT AGAIN
If it feels like Harry Grant is written about every week it’s because he is, but only because the 22-year old earns such praise just about every time he takes the field.
Grant was superb again, scoring a try and marshalling the Tigers forwards with an expertise one would expect from a 10-year veteran. Such is his poise it defies belief he is only 11 games into his career.
Talk of Grant’s future will dominate discussion for the rest of the season and no wonder – the Queenslander is not a star of the future, he is a star of the present.
TOUGH TIGERS TEAR IN
The Tigers dominated Brisbane in every single aspect of the match and it all began with a thunderous opening stint from front-row duo Josh Aloiai and Russell Packer.
Aloiai has fast become one of the most underrated players in the NRL – his footwork and willingness to throw himself into the action make him a real handful for the opposition, and he churned through 187 metres with ball in hand.
Leilua continued his strong form on the left edge as he ran in two tries and defended like a man possessed, even as the Tigers continued to pile on the points.
TIGERS 48 (Tries: Nofoaluma, Grant, L Leilua 2, Marshall, Garner 2, McIntyre, Walters & Goals: Mbye 6/9) beat BRONCOS 0
MUNSTER PRESSES CLAIMS AS NRL’S BEST FIVE-EIGHTH
—Peter Badel
If Cameron Munster isn’t the best player in the NRL, he is knocking on the door.
The Queensland Origin superstar last night made a miraculous return from injury then unleashed a special brand of playmaking magic to orchestrate Melbourne’s 42-6 thumping of the Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Munster was originally expected to miss a month with a knee injury and Gold Coast rued his shock comeback a fortnight early as the Maroons ace and the other Cameron — talismanic skipper Smith — terrorised the Titans.
James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Smith are probably the code’s top three players but Munster’s masterful mauling of the Gold Coast is evidence he can become the king of the NRL.
With Munster and Smith pulling the strings, the Storm were never troubled, leading 18-6 at halftime before sinking the Titans to temporarily claim a share of the NRL lead with Parramatta.
If Munster stays fit, the Storm can win another premiership. There is no more gifted footballer in the league.
There was his rampaging straight-line burst to crash over and open the scoring in the 20th minute. Then came a sublime double-pump and cut-out ball from a scrum win for Josh Addo-Carr’s try 10 minutes later for a 12-6 lead.
Along the way, Munster tormented and teased with short balls, deft kicks and slick game-management which provided space for Melbourne monsters Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to crush the Titans.
It was another dismal defensive display from the Titans, who leaked seven tries with Asofa-Solomona and Josh Addo-Carr each celebrating doubles to leave the Coast floundering in second last.
TITANIC TINO
Fa’asuamaleaui is a frightening sight. Big Tino will join the Titans next year and Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook has reason to get excited. The 115kg forward belted the Titans in defence and made a series of ferocious charges with 107 metres and four tackle busts. Fa’asuamaleaui is a future Queensland Origin player.
SOFT CENTRE
The Titans came into the match having conceded the most tries in the middle-third. Once again, they were pathetic in midfield. Storm maestro Smith set up three tries with clever passes for Munster (20th minute) and Asofa-Solomona, who barged over twice in the 36th and 43rd minutes from close range. The Titans won’t be a finals team until they tighten up in the middle.
TITANIC BLUNDERS
The Titans are mentally soft and Holbrook has to fix it. While Munster and Smith were classy conductors, the Coast continue to self-destruct with fundamental mistakes. The Titans showed great spirit in the first half but nine handling errors in 40 minutes killed them. Three unforced errors led directly to Melbourne tries with Munster, Addo-Carr and Asofa-Solomona capitalising for an 18-6 halftime lead.
HALFBACK HEADACHE
The Titans suffered another injury blow with promising halfback Jamal Fogarty hobbling off in the second half with a knee problem. Holbrook will hope the injury is not as serious as his side’s defensive issues.
STORM 42 (Tries: Munster, Addo Carr 2, Asofa-Solomona 2, Lee, B Smith) & Goals: C Smith 7/8) beat TITANS 6 (Try: Kelly & Goal: Taylor) at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Originally published as NRL 2020: Wests Tigers beat Brisbane Broncos 48-0 | Match Report