PLAYER RATINGS: Brisbane Broncos defeat South Sydney Rabbitohs 11-4
Young gun Selwyn Cobbo delivered on his promise in an electric effort against the Rabbitohs, but it was another player’s performance that might make for an awkward conversation for Broncos coach Kevin Walters. SEE THE PLAYER RATINGS
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The pre-match hype around Broncos young gun Selwyn Cobbo almost had him finding the cure for Covid and brokering peace in the Middle East in between training sessions at Red Hill.
And the 19-year-old dubbed “The Next Greg Inglis/Latrell Mitchell/Dally Messenger/Jesus Christ”, delivered on some of the high expectations with a high-octane performance in Brisbane’s stunning 11-4 upset win over Souths at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The kid can really play. Obviously.
With ball in hand flying down the right wing, in defence or flying high into the sky for the Steeden, he’s a legitimate excitement machine who is destined to inherit the Brisbane No.1 jumper on the way to potential Origin and Test honours if he stays fit, focused and avoids the follies that can derail young fellas in his position.
He had plenty of mates in maroon who aimed up against last year’s grand finalists with acting captain Kurt Capewell putting the nail in the Rabbitohs’ coffin with a late field goal in some last tackle calamity that looked more out of the trick play book of Benny Hill than Wayne Bennett.
1. JAMAYNE ISAAKO – 6
His short stint covering for fullback Tesi Niu may be cut even shorter after Cobbo’s heroics. Given Isaako if off to Redcliffe to link with Uncle Wayne next year and Cobbo is the future at Red Hill, why wait? Was solid and reliable but every very good team has a very good difference-making fullback. Maybe a switch to the wing is in the offing.
2. COREY OATES – 6.5
Did not see much action in the first half but maintained his prolific record of scoring tries on the hallowed turf of “The Cauldron” with a nice finish in the second half for his 99th career try in the NRL. Still has plenty to offer on a flank now that he has moved on from that silly, “I want to be a second-rower” phase. Nothing wrong with being a really good winger, bro.
3. KOTONI STAGGS – 7.5
Defended like a demon against the lethal left-hand side attacking edge of the Rabbitohs and had some nice touches in attack. Could have put the game on ice late but dropped the ball with the tryline beckoning. He wanted to play five-eighth long-term but that would have been as wasteful as ordering salad with pizzas for a kid’s birthday party. He is at his best with early ball, in space. Should play Origin sooner rather than later.
3. HERBIE FARNWORTH – 6.5
Didn’t go bananas early as Brisbane’s attack went to the other side of the field and to their right edge with Staggs and Cobbo. Returned similar stats to Staggs who looked far more threatening than his centre partner. The owner of one of the best names in the NRL came into the game in the second half as Brisbane explored their options on the left edge.
4. SELWYN COBBO – 8.5
Could have been involved in four tries for the night but the last pass – and his big toe – got in the way. Seriously quick, skilful and athletic. Looked dangerous with every touch when he invariably beat the first tackler. The kind of player that brings the crowd to their feet when he is near the ball. Still raw and unpolished but with obvious star-quality potential – like a young John Travolta in “Welcome Back, Kotter”.
5. BILLY WALTERS – 7
There could be an uncomfortable conversation at the Walters family roast dinner this week when Kevvie has to break the news to his son that Albert Kelly will get to partner Adam Reynolds next week. Walters did nothing wrong at all, was very solid and really warmed up in attack after halftime but Kelly won the unofficial shootout for the no.6 jumper. It’s a cruel game but one of them has to make way for the big signing.
6. ALBERT KELLY – 8
Did an admirable job keeping the no.7 jumper warm for the new skipper. Did Cobbo no favours when he kept running in front of the winger who threw a forward pass but recovered well to throw a lovely ball for Cobbo and like a thief in the night, swooped on a Cody Walker pass for an intercept try to open the scoring. Ran the show for the Broncos all night with deft passing and kicking to show he would be the ideal foil for Reynolds.
7. KEENAN PALASIA – 7
A tireless effort with over 100 running metres and the best part of 30 tackles. Job done. Nothing wrong with being the very large Robin to the even bigger Batman in Haas.
8. JAKE TURPIN – 7
Raised his bat for a half-century of tackles and swooped on a dangerous loose ball close to Souths’ tryline to snuff out an attacking raid from the visitors. Did not offer much in attack with just a handful of running metres but he tackled everything that moved. Brisbane’s real-life horse mascot Buck was lucky to escape Turpin in cover defence.
9. PAYNE HAAS – 8
Was busier than the bar staff at the Caxton Hotel on Origin night. Had more than 90 running metres and almost 20 tackles by halftime and defused a dangerous infield kick when Souths were on the charge. Has a tank bigger than a LandCruiser. Finished with 170-plus running metres, 43 tackles and 70 post-contact metres. You’d hate to pay for his grocery bill or try to tackle him.
10. KURT CAPEWELL – 8
The Pride of Charleville knocked over a late field goal – the first of his career- to hand Brisbane an all-important seven-point buffer. Hit the ball as sweetly as any Darren Lockyer one-pointer. He did not get to do too much in attack on Brisbane’s left edge until he threw a lovely ball for an Oates try. He also tackled himself to a standstill in a captain’s knock that would have done the locals at the town’s Hotel Corones or Cattle Camp Hotel proud. Loves playing the Bunnies at Suncorp Stadium.
11. JORDAN RIKI – 6.5
Dropped ball early and not much of a factor in attack but made 30-plus tackles to help repel Souths in the first half when they were pressing Brisbane’s line and the Broncos – unlike the past two years – held firm.
12. PATRICK CARRIGAN – 7.5
Was rocking the man bun look that is more akin to being a barista than a Broncos backrower. And he looked like he knocked back a few stiff lattes with a high-energy effort. Had two runs in Brisbane’s first set in attack and did not stop with 150-odd running metres and almost 30 tackles.
Interchange:
13. RYAN JAMES – 6.5
Got belted by former Titans teammate Jai Arrow with one of his first touches when he was injected into the game midway through the first half like James dodged a shout at the pub on their last Mad Monday together. A very handy pick-up for Brisbane if he stays healthy as he brings genuine size, aggression and experience to the middle for the Broncos.
14. RHYS KENNEDY – 5
Did not have a massive impact off the bench but did his job with almost 50 running metres and 16 tackles, Not his job to be the matchwinner but helped do the hard yards.
15. TC ROBATI – 6
Produced some bone-jarring runs in the second half with one charge sending Cody Walker flying into the new fancy food outlets at Suncorp Stadium. Continued to seriously bend the Souths defensive line to keep Brisbane on the front foot in crunch time.
16. TYRONE ROBERTS – 5
Rode the pine for the first half and most of the second until he was thrown into the fray late to relieve an exhausted Jake Turpin at hooker. Given his experience, not a bad bloke to have on your bench to stay cool, calm and collected in the dying minutes.
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