NRL 2022: Tesi Niu injury adds to injury toll as Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos

The Broncos plunged into the bottom four after a beating by the Panthers, but the scoreline wasn’t a true reflection of Brisbane’s effort, especially after losing a key player to injury.

Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs on the charge against Penrith. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Broncos coach Kevin Walters faces more selection migraines after fullback Tesi Niu suffered a fresh hamstring tear as Penrith plunged Brisbane into the bottom four with a 40-12 pummelling at BlueBet Stadium.

The promise of Brisbane’s gutsy opening half against the premiers was tempered by Niu hobbling off in the 34th minute as classy Nathan Cleary subjected the embattled Broncos to the worst loss against Penrith in their 34-year history.

Missing injured Albert Kelly and suspended enforcers Payne Haas and Tom Flegler, depleted Brisbane started superbly and had a whiff of an upset when a rampaging Kotoni Staggs set up Niu for an early 6-0 lead.

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But when Niu went off six minutes before the break, the Broncos gradually fell apart.

Penrith talisman Cleary took control with a masterful kicking game to consign Brisbane to a fourth consecutive defeat, in the process eclipsing the Panthers’ record 46-20 defeat of the Broncos in 2004.

Kotoni Staggs was a standout for the Broncos. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

The 28-point defeat will see Brisbane finish the weekend in the bottom four.

Walters confirmed Niu, who injured his other hamstring in pre-season, will miss next Friday night’s clash against Canterbury at Suncorp Stadium.

“It had an effect on the game,” Walters said of Niu’s loss. “We had to change things around (with rookie winger Selwyn Cobbo moving to fullback).

“Tesi won’t be available next week. It’s such a key position for us, so that was a blow.”

SUPER STAGGS

Brisbane strike weapon Staggs must be handed his NSW debut for State of Origin I.

With Blues sensation Latrell Mitchell sidelined for two months and centre partner Tom Trbojevic (knee) racing the clock, NSW coach Brad Fittler would be foolish to ignore the high-octane potency of Staggs.

After a quiet opening month, Staggs was sublime at BlueBet.

He carved up the Roosters last week and continued his rampage against the premiers, tormenting rookie rival Izack Tago every time he touched the ball.

Staggs has the mongrel for Origin football. With 20 tackle busts in two games, Special K has his mojo back and has regained confidence in his reconstructed knee.

“Kotoni is a real strike weapon for us on the right edge,” Walters said. “He was really strong for us.”

EMBATTLED BRONCOS

This scoreline was unfairly brutal for the Broncos.

Walters’ troops had a genuine crack — Plan B props Corey Jensen and Keenan Palasia held their own — but the reality is Brisbane aren’t in the same playmaking stratosphere as the defending premiers.

When the pressure levels rose in the second stanza, Penrith’s self-belief was telling. At 12-6, the Panthers scored three tries in a seven-minute window.

Bang. Game over.

While Cleary was cool and composed, Broncos opposite Adam Reynolds was far from disgraced. While Reynolds was left to digest the worst start to a season in his 10-year NRL career, Walters backed his marquee recruit.

“I thought Adam had his best game so far,” the coach said. “His kicking game was equal with Penrith’s and his organisation and defence was good.”

Adam Reynolds kicked well and tried hard against the Panthers. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

ON CLOUD NINE

Penrith hooker Api Koroisau’s domination of rival rake Jake Turpin singularly crystallised the difference between the sides.

While Koroisau tore the Broncos apart in midfield, Turpin finished the game with zero runs for zero metres. His 33 tackles are not enough. The Broncos need more creativity around the rucks and Walters must wield the axe by relegating Turpin and adding Cory Paix to the starting side for the Bulldogs clash.

“I wouldn’t say it was a comprehensive loss,” Walters said. “It was a 10-minute block that beat us. We lost our way a bit and they have several gears.”

Haas will return this week from suspension, but Payne won’t save the Broncos from more pain if they can’t stay consistent in midfield for 80 minutes.

PANTHER POWER

Ivan Cleary’s Panthers are becoming one of the most dominant sides of the modern era.

This disposal of the Broncos saw Penrith become the first side since Manly 52 years ago to win 20 consecutive games at their home ground.

Leading 12-6 at half-time, the Panthers’ second-half surge meant they have now won 42 straight games when ahead at the break. Somebody stop them.