Wayne Bennett works overtime to plug Broncos’ leaks ahead of crunch Cowboys clash

HIS Broncos had the second best defence in the competition but after getting thumped by the Eels, Wayne Bennett is turning up the heat on his side.

Corey Oates at Broncos Training at Red Hill. Pic Annette Dew

THE Broncos are set for a defensive overhaul, with coach Wayne Bennett to turn up the heat on his side ahead of Thursday’s crucial showdown with the Cowboys.

Before Round 25, Brisbane were the second best defensive team in the competition and were sitting in the top two on the ladder with Melbourne.

But after leaking 52 points to Parramatta, they have now conceded more points than the Storm, Sharks and Roosters this season.

After also slipping out of the top two, an unimpressed Bennett will be looking to fix it as soon as Thursday.

The focus on defence was evident on Sunday, as the team hit the training paddock for the first time since the embarrassing loss to the Eels.

Left-edge combination Corey Oates and Tautau Moga became the first to feel the brunt of the reaction to the loss, with the pair taken through defensive drills by Bennett and assistant coach Jason Demetriou.

Corey Oates at Broncos Training at Red Hill. Pic Annette Dew

Skipper Darius Boyd and hooker Ben Hunt also weighed into what towering winger Oates could do better to sharpen up his defence.

But it is not expected that Oates and Moga will be the only two targeted this week, with the whole team set to be put through their paces as they edge closer to the highly anticipated Queensland derby.

Brisbane’s right side will no doubt also come under heavy scrutiny after leaking six tries.

Brisbane forward Alex Glenn knew the team would be put to the test, saying Bennett would quickly identify what had to change.

“The thing that let us down is we didn’t play to our potential. We were our own worst enemy out there,” he said.

Corey Oates at Broncos Training at Red Hill. Pic Annette Dew

“The coach is pretty constructive. He won’t give it to the boys for no particular reason. He’s very constructive in that way of coaching and it’s good for us.

“We know we played a bad game. We all feel the pain and so does he. He’s very good at the way he coaches and fixing where we went wrong.”

Former Broncos skipper Gorden Tallis said it came as no surprise that Bennett was focusing on defence this week.

Tallis, who played under Bennett for eight years, has no doubt in his mind the Brisbane coach wold be able to right the wrongs before the finals started.

“Wayne Bennett’s a master at working out defence,” Tallis said.

“That’s what he is and what he coaches. He’ll realise what the players did wrong and he would have been in this situation before.

“They can turn it around. They have one more week before the finals.”

Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt will test the Broncos defence.

Even with the extra week before finals begin, the Broncos will be desperate to get a win over the Cowboys.

It could earn back a top-two spot and build momentum heading into September.

North Queensland will be a huge test, with Oates marking winger Kyle Feldt, who won the Cowboys their match against the Tigers on Friday.

For Feldt, it’s a showdown he is looking forward to.

“Me and Corey go way back,” he said.

“We’ve been in Origin camp together and he’s a good bloke. It’s always fun to throw a bit of chat at him.”