NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos win 26-16 over Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Dolphins beat Capras 58-6

WATCH THE VIDEO: Peter Badel analyses Brisbane’s first trial performance of 2024 and reveals the rookie not yet ready to make the step up to NRL level.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters is considering unleashing Tristan Sailor as a supersub bolter for round one after the son of Wendell ran riot in Brisbane’s 26-16 trial defeat of Wynnum Manly on Saturday night, while rookie hooker Blake Mozer may not yet be quite be ready.

Missing a host of NRL stars, the baby Broncos looked set for a shock defeat when their Queensland Cup feeder-club led 16-8 with 10 minutes to play in wet conditions at Kougari Oval.

But three tries in the final nine minutes, including a sizzling 40-metre solo burst from Reece Walsh’s understudy Sailor in the dying seconds, got the Broncos out of jail.

Tristan Sailor has put up his hand for the Broncos’ utility spot, after a best on ground effort against the Wynnum Seagulls. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The 25-year-old was best on ground, having a hand in two tries before the final act of solo magic that has put Sailor in the frame as a No.14 utility for Brisbane’s premiership opener against the Roosters in Las Vegas.

“Tristan put the icing on the cake,” Walters said.

“I think that utility role from the bench could be an option.

“We have spoken about that with Tristan and ways we can use him at the next level because as you saw, he was the difference between the two teams.

“Tristan covers a lot of positions … he did himself plenty of favours with that display.”

COMBINATIONS

Brisbane’s starting props Xavier Willison and Ben Te Kura had a golden opportunity to press their claims following the off-season departure of key forwards Tom Flegler, Kurt Capewell and Keenan Palasia.

After a slow start, Te Kura ran with more vigour and at 205cm, he is the tallest player in NRL history.

Willison, ahead of Te Kura in the pecking order, led Brisbane’s pack. The 21-year-old produced a crunching hit early and while he made a handling error, Willison toiled manfully to put his hand up for a round-one berth.

“We have high expectations for Xavier this year, we are certainly looking at him for round one in Vegas,” Walters said.

Xavier Willison was a standout for the Broncos, pressing his claims for round one selection. Picture: Instagram

ROOKIE WATCH

Brisbane’s highly-rated teenage duo, Blake Mozer and Coby Black, can only benefit from minutes in senior company.

Mozer was well-contained by the Seagulls, with Brisbane’s lack of go forward making it difficult for the Queensland under-19s hooker to take control around the rucks.

Black, the 17-year-old being groomed to one day replace Adam Reynolds, was energetic in his senior debut, slotting the crucial grubber kick for the try that gave Brisbane a 20-16 lead with five minutes to play.

Highly rated young hooker Blake Mozer was well contained by the Seagulls. Picture: Instagram

RECRUIT WATCH

New faces Jaiyden Hunt and Josiah Karapani caught the eye in their maiden hitout in Broncos colours.

Hunt, a back-row import from the Dragons, ran some nice lines on Brisbane’s right edge and defended well, while Karapani is powerful and finished off a 38th-minute try with a dazzling aerial leap.

HOT TAKE

Sailor is a class act who is clearly too good for the Queensland Cup.

With Brisbane trailing 10-0, Sailor instantly ignited the Broncos. He joined the fray in the 25th minute and threw a sublime long ball for Bailey Trew (35th) to score, before a pinpoint cross kick for Ethan Quai-Ward’s 66th-minute try.

Sailor and fullback superstar Reece Walsh could be a dynamic duo in the same Broncos line-up.

FINAL SAY

After trailing for 65 minutes, the depleted Broncos did well to hold their nerve and they can thank Sailor’s class for burying the Seagulls.On this evidence, Mozer isn’t ready to be Billy Walters’ support act at hooker, speedy Deine Mariner remains in a wing battle with Jesse Arthars and Willison showed promise to start alongside Payne Haas in Las Vegas.

BACKLINE BATTLE HEATS UP AFTER DOLPHINS DOMINATION

—Travis Meyn

Cult hero Valynce Te Whare made a promising return to the Dolphins but it was ex-Bronco Tesi Niu that stole the show as the Redcliffe club launched its second NRL campaign.

Niu scored a first half hat-trick in the Dolphins’ 58-6 trial demolition of reserve graders the CQ Capras in Rockhampton on Saturday night.

The trial was the first glimpse of Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins – albeit without superstar Broncos recruits Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler – following their encouraging NRL debut last year.

While the team was predominantly fringe first graders and developing players, there were positive signs for the Dolphins against a Capras team that finished top four in the Hostplus Cup last year.

Tesi Niu pressed his claims for a Round 1 spot with a first half hat-trick against the Capras. Picture: Supplied

With 49 NRL games next to his name, Niu was too much for the Capras to handle at left centre in a deadly combination with rising winger Jack Bostock.

It’s down to either Bostock or Niu for the left wing spot at the Dolphins and Niu may have got the jump on the young gun.

“Tesi was outstanding in that first half. He showed his class and that he’s putting his name in front of Wayne for selection,” Dolphins assistant coach Nathan Fien said.

“Jack and Tesi were really good. Even defensively they looked really strong on the line and comfortable together. They’ve been working hard over the off-season with their defence.

“Val got about 60 minutes and looked sharp when he had the footy. He’s still got to keep working on his defence but I’m sure Wayne will be happy with what he did tonight.

“I was pleased with the way we withstood pressure when the game got into a grind. We were able to come out the other side.

Valynce Te Whare continued his career revival. Picture: Supplied

Niu scored the opening try after five minutes and rounded out his hat-trick with two tries late in the first half, showing slick footwork that was too classy for the Capras.

On the other side of the field, Te Whare proved to be a handful as well.

The barnstorming centre was facing the NRL scrap heap before Christmas after being banished from the Dolphins for turning up to pre-season training in poor shape.

A month-long bootcamp saw Te Whare strip 11kg and save his NRL career and he looked in good knick, scoring a try and shifting to left centre in the second half.

It is hard to see Niu and Te Whare unseating star recruits Farnworth and Jake Averillo for centre spots in the Dolphins’ top team.

However Niu is in the mix for a wing spot and their performances proved the Dolphins will have more depth in their second NRL season following last year’s fade out.

Bostock was another shining light for the Dolphins as he presented a strong case for starting spot on the left wing for round 1.

The towering 20-year-old showcased his aerial threat and linked up well with Niu in a first half masterclass.

The Dolphins ran away with it in the second half, with Caleb Jackson, Cooper Jenkins and Brent Woolf scoring to round out a comprehensive win.

The Capras trial was an unofficial hitout for the Dolphins, who will kick-off their NRL Pre-season Challenge campaign against Des Hasler’s Titans on the Sunshine Coast next Sunday.