NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos win 34-10 over Wests Tigers, Jock Madden suffers pectoral injury

While the Broncos welcomed back four players from injury, they were forced to finish the game with just 12 men, with a host of key stars forced off the field in a costly win over the Wests Tigers.

Reece Walsh tore the Tigers apart, scoring two tries before coming off the field late as he became physically ill and battled a calf cramp. Picture: Getty Images

Rampaging Brisbane sounded an ominous premiership warning as talismanic halfback Adam Reynolds and two-try Reece Walsh combined to carve up Wests Tigers 34-10 on Saturday night.

Key quartet Reynolds, Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura and Deine Mariner returned from injury and the skipper orchestrated a Campbelltown Stadium caning to temporarily fire the Broncos (5-3) into the top four.

Red-hot Reynolds had a hand in four tries as he weaved his magic in tandem with five-eighth Jock Madden and fullback ace Walsh, who posted two tries apiece to torment the Tigers.

But Brisbane’s third consecutive win was marred by Madden suffering a suspected pec injury in the 58th minute, while Walsh battled through calf cramps and hobbled off four minutes from time.

Reece Walsh tore the Tigers apart, scoring two tries before coming off the field late as he became physically ill and battled a calf cramp. Picture: Getty Images

“Jock is not bad, but enough to put him in doubt for next week,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said. “Reece is OK, he will be right for next week.”

Reece Walsh & Adam Reynolds both failed to finish the game for the Broncos - probably some of the most limiting muscle cramps seen in a while with both barely able to walk.

Thankfully muscle cramping isn’t a long term issue - both should be fine for next week. pic.twitter.com/Nwbfh828R7

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 27, 2024

THE REAL DEAL

The Broncos are shifting gears formidably ahead of this Friday’s blockbuster against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.

While the Tigers aren’t a powerhouse, Brisbane possess the attacking stars and the defensive big guns to topple premiers Penrith and snap their 18-year title drought.

Haas (100m) stormed through midfield for a 65th-minute solo try, Pat Carrigan (156m and 25 tackles) was outstanding and not even a calf scare could stop Walsh torching the Tigers with 168m, three tackle busts and one line break.

“They are a great side,” Tigers coach Benji Marshall said. “They are the best team in the competition.”

The win has come at a cost, with Jock Madden suffering a potentially serious pectoral injury. Picture: Getty Images

CAPTAIN’S KNOCK

When Reynolds is in the driver’s seat, the Broncos purr like a Ferrari.

After a fortnight out, Reynolds found his groove instantly, terrorising the Tigers with his game management and a teasing array of kicks that led to two tries for a 16-0 half-time lead.

Reynolds was so good he even managed to intercept a Tigers pass while falling to the turf battling cramp in the 78th minute.

“He kicked us to death,” Marshall lamented. “His attack on the right side with Reece Walsh is pretty hard to stop.”

Adam Reynolds produced a classy performance in his return from injury. Picture: NRL Imagery

BRICK WALL BRONCOS

The Broncos have the best scramble in the league.

The Tigers were far from terrible. They completed at 86 per cent in the first half and had at least five tryscoring opportunities, but Broncos defenders repeatedly came to the rescue to keep the Tigers scoreless for 70 minutes. It was a defensive desperation that wins premierships.

PIAKURA POWER

With his speed, power, hard-running and brutal hitting, Brendan Piakura is emerging as one of the NRL’s superstar back-rowers.

In just his 19th game, Piakura returned from his ankle injury in style, showing precision line running for Madden’s second try and almost snapping Jahream Bula in half with a bell-ringer in the 37th minute.

Payne Haas impressed in his return. Picture: NRL Imagery

BUNKER WARFARE

The NRL bunker has become a blight on rugby league.

The technology was introduced to eliminate the major howler but the bunker now meddles more than an overbearing mother-in-law.

Brisbane were clearly the better team but the bunker’s decision to deny Api Koroisau a 25th-minute try from dummy half was bewildering.

The bunker ruled Koroisau lost control for a split second as he attempted to ground it. Technically, it might be the right call, but it’s easy to find fault when play is slowed to the millisecond.

“They should look at it in real time,” NRL Immortal Mal Meninga said on Fox League. “It should have been a try.”