NRL 2021: Canberra Raiders win 38-16 over Brisbane Broncos | Match Report

While the NRL’s high-shot crackdown appeared to take a back seat for State of Origin, it was back for the Broncos with this controversial send-off.

Kobe Hetherington was sent off for this tackle on Corey Harawira-Naera

Brisbane’s chilly night in Canberra ended in a firestorm of drama with Xavier Coates breaking down and Kobe Hetherington sensationally sent off in the Broncos’ 38-16 belting at GIO Stadium.

Queensland’s injury woes continued when Maroons and Broncos winger Coates suffered a freak hamstring strain in the warm-up, plunging him into a fitness battle for Origin II on June 27.

But Coates’ pre-match saga was overshadowed by Broncos teammate Hetherington being marched in the 60th minute for an alleged high shot on Canberra forward Corey Harawira-Naera.

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Kobe Hetherington was sent off for this tackle on Corey Harawira-Naera.

The NRL match-review committee will decide whether to formally charge Hetherington on Sunday, but it was a disgraceful decision by referee Chris Sutton.

Harawira-Naera was falling at high speed as he collided with Hetherington. The Broncos rookie should have been placed on report and sin-binned, but a dismissal was over the top.

“I’m not sure if it was a send-off. There was no intent from Kobe other than to make the tackle,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.

“It was a bit hard but that’s what the game is trying to remove, so we have to cop it.”

The Hetherington flashpoint aside, it was another woeful performance by the Broncos, who slumped to their 11th loss in 14 games as the Raiders ran riot in a seven-try cakewalk.

Really?!
Sure it’s direct and to the head, but surely it’s a mitigating factor that CHN not only falls, but falls forward so he meets the defender far earlier than expected. Careless, yes. Sin-bin, maybe? But send off? #NRLRaidersBroncos

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) June 12, 2021

The Kobe Hetherington send-off is a shocking decision. CHN hurdles a defender and is ankle-tapped. The Bunker has no regard for the circumstances. Horrible feel for the game. #NRLRaidersBroncos

— Travis Meyn (@travismeyn) June 12, 2021

AT THE X-ROADS

Backing up after Queensland’s 50-6 loss in Origin I, Coates’ match ended before it started when he tweaked his hamstring in the warm-up, with 18th man Tesi Niu answering an SOS.

Coates hobbled off a shattered man. While Walters is confident Coates will be fit for Thursday’s clash against Souths, the Maroons cannot afford to take any more injury risks for Origin II.

Initial assessment from the Broncos indicates Xavier Coates’ hamstring injury appears to be minor at this stage. Described as more “awareness” (tightness/restriction) rather than significant pain/weakness that would come with a tear. Still in doubt for Origin 2

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 12, 2021

Karmichael Hunt made his NRL return after 12 years out of the game. Picture: Getty Images

MUSICAL CHAIRS

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters’ constant chopping and changing of his team has become farcical. It has to stop. Teams who win enjoy consistency of selection and while Walters hasn’t been helped by injuries, some of his team changes have been unnecessary.

Why on earth is Dale Copley in the Broncos side? The 29-year-old is not only injury-prone, he is no longer NRL standard. The evidence came in the 27th minute when rookie centre Matthew Timoko steamrolled Copley and released Sam Williams for a 16-4 lead.

At 19, Niu, who scored an excellent solo try in the 35th minute, is the future.

NOT SO SPECIAL K

Karmichael Hunt’s Broncos resurrection is simply remarkable. His actual performance was less auspicious.

Playing his first Broncos game in 4277 days, Hunt discovered how much faster and more physical the NRL has become 12 years later. He made just four tackles and two runs for five metres as the 34-year-old struggled for quality ball.

“I thought ‘K’ did OK,” said Walters, who vowed to stick with Hunt for the Souths clash. “It was tough for him to come in when we aren’t going well. He kicked and organised well, it was a pass mark for him.”

Last-minute inclusion Tesi Niu was a standout for the Broncos, scoring an impressive solo try. Picture: Getty Images

LOSING THEIR EDGE

Walters’ first promise as coach was to fix Brisbane’s leaky defence. He is not delivering on that promise.

Brisbane’s edge and tryline defence was woefully passive. The Broncos are the first side this season to leak 400 points and they are conceding an average of 31 points per game.

Until they tighten up, the Broncos will be the NRL’s whipping boys.

“Our defence has been a problem for us all year,” Walters said. “The chopping and changing of the team doesn’t help.”

Josh Papalii could be set for a Maroons re-call after producing arguably his best game of the season. Picture: Getty Images.

PAPA DOES PREACH

The Maroons would have relished Canberra prop Josh Papalii’s comeback from suspension.

The Queensland enforcer destroyed the Broncos, charging for 147 metres from 18 runs and sealing victory when he crashed over to score in the 53rd minute. It was just the type of display the Maroons need from Papalii in Origin II.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Canberra Raiders win 38-16 over Brisbane Broncos | Match Report