Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos Round 1 player ratings: Who starred and who flopped?
There were plenty of stars for Brisbane but one shone brightest as the Broncos thumped the Roosters in a brilliant start to their 2025 NRL campaign. Check out all the player ratings
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The Broncos announced themselves as premiership fancies with a dominant display under new coach Michael Maguire as they thumped the Roosters 50-14.
Just about everything the Broncos touched turned to gold, with veteran Ben Hunt celebrating his return to the club by finishing off a magical team try in the second half in a dominant Brisbane performance.
Check out all the player ratings from the Roosters-Broncos blockbuster.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
1 REECE WALSH – Badly bombed a try in the first half after a trademark bust but atoned in the second half with 191 metres and the try that gave Brisbane a 40-4 lead. RATING: 7.5
2 SELWYN COBBO - The wing is his thing. Back on the flanks after a stint at centre, Cobbo made all the right moves and pounced with two tries in four minutes in a flawless hat-trick display. RATING: 8
3 DEINE MARINER - Fine effort filling in for the injured Kotoni Staggs. Centre is his favourite spot and he showed it with a clever chip kick for Selwyn Cobbo’s first try just after half-time. RATING: 7
4 GEHAMAT SHIBASAKI - Made up for an early missed tackle by scoring Brisbane’s opening try. Warmed into the contest with 104 metres and 15 runs in a rugged performance. RATING: 7.5
5 JESSE ARTHARS - Brisbane Mr Reliable gets the job done. Two line breaks, three tackle busts, no errors and a well-deserved late try as he put the finishing touches on a Roosters rout. RATING: 7.5
6 BEN HUNT - Welcome back to Red Hill. ‘Dozer’ was delightful, having a hand in Brisbane’s first try before scoring one himself as he combined beautifully with Adam Reynolds. RATING: 8.
7 ADAM REYNOLDS - The wily old fox still has his tricks. His pinpoint kick for Cobbo’s second try was masterful and Reynolds oozed control with three try assists in a superb skipper’s knock. RATING: 9
8 PAT CARRIGAN - His move from lock to prop is a masterstroke. A barnstorming display with 202 metres, 23 runs and a nice try assist for Jack Gosiewski with a short ball. RATING: 8.5.
9 CORY PAIX - Outstanding first 20 minutes with sharp dummy-half service headlined by a try charging onto a Payne Haas inside ball. Added 21 tackles to make a statement in the No.9 jumper. RATING: 8
10 PAYNE HAAS - What a performance. Despite observing Ramadan, Haas ripped the Roosters apart with 145 metres and a staggering 11 tackle busts. If he stays fit, Brisbane can win the comp. RATING: 9.5.
11 JACK GOSIEWSKI - Vindicated his controversial selection with 102 metres, 18 runs and a beautiful straight-line run to crash over in the first half to give Brisbane all the momentum. RATING: 7.5.
12 JORDAN RIKI - One of Brisbane’s quiet achievers but did everything required with 118 metres and 29 tackles. Most importantly, not a single miss. RATING: 7.5.
13 KOBE HETHERINGTON - Relishing his starting spot at lock and made the first major charge of the game early to get Brisbane rolling. Formed a formidable starting midfield with Haas and Carrigan. RATING: 7.
14 BILLY WALTERS - Has lost his starting No.9 jumper but will prove a handy utility option for the Broncos off the bench this season. RATING: 4.
15 COREY JENSEN - A great back-up front-row option off the bench and ‘Mudcrab’ did his job well holding the middle when Haas came off for a rest. RATING: 6
16 XAVIER WILLISON - Could be Brisbane’s X-factor off the bench this season. The athletic specimen was outstanding with 138 metres and three tackle busts and is the perfect man at 199cm to provide interchange thrust. RATING: 7.5.
17 BRENDAN PIAKURA - One run before being sin-binned just seconds after entering the fray. RATING: 3.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
1 JAMES TEDESCO – Made Walsh look silly when he stopped a certain try and tried to inspire his team in attack and desperate defence, but it was a tough night at the office for the skipper. RATING: 5
2 DANIEL TUPOU – The old warhorse keeps doing his thing. Made 14 runs for 112m but didn’t get any try-scoring opportunities. RATING: 5
3 MARK NAWAQANITAWASE – The big specimen looks built for the NRL. Finished with 100m and six tackle busts in just his second game for the Roosters and should improve with more time in the 13-man code. RATING: 5
4 ROBERT TOIA – Set up a try with his first touch in the NRL and ran strongly when he got a half-chance. A bright prospect and rare shining light for the Roosters. RATING: 6
5 DOMINIC YOUNG – Nice finish for the first try but wasn’t busy enough, only managing seven runs for 65m. Bagged a second try late. RATING: 5
6 SANDON SMITH – Made mistakes but plays direct when he has the ball and has a bit of spark. Finished with six runs and a try. RATING: 6
7 CHAD TOWNSEND – Uninspiring club debut which included some poor kicks and only two runs. Needs to improve but that’s tough behind a badly beaten pack. RATING: 4
8 LINDSAY COLLINS – The Kangaroos prop dropped his first carry and suffered a bad facial cut. Was monstered by Haas and Carrigan in a night to forget, making just 45m from six carries. RATING: 4
9 CONNOR WATSON – Did a mountain of defensive work with 26 first half tackles and finished with a game-high 43 which meant he had little juice to run the ball from dummy-half. RATING: 5
10 NAUFAHU WHYTE – No match for Brisbane’s big boys. Only registered 59m from seven carries and was outclassed. RATING: 4
11 ANGUS CRICHTON – The only Roosters forward to crack 100m. Troubled Brisbane’s defence without finding the killer blow. RATING: 6
12 VICTOR RADLEY – Concussed in the 13th minute following a heavy collision with Tedesco. How many more of these can he sustain? NO RATING
15 SIUA WONG – Crunched Walsh early but missed seven tackles, the most of anyone on the field, and ran for just 24m. RATING: 4
14 ZACH DOCKAR-CLAY – Sparked the Roosters with a few runs from dummy-half but it was too little, too late. RATING: 4
16 BLAKE STEEP – Solid effort from the bench with 28 tackles, but couldn’t do much with the ball. RATING: 5
17 SALESI FOKETI – Made 26 tackles in his NRL debut to go with six carries. Didn’t look out of place despite his team being flogged. RATING: 5
19 TAYLOR LOSALU – Made 50m from six runs in his NRL debut. Tough night to get your first taste of the top grade. RATING: 5
Originally published as Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos Round 1 player ratings: Who starred and who flopped?
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