Tariq Sims hat-trick sparks Dragons to 48-18 thumping of Broncos
NO one gave St George Illawarra — the NRL’s apparent chokers — a chance. What unfolded at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday was one of the most extraordinary finals performances of the past decade.
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DISMISSED as impostors, written-off as pretenders.
No one gave St George Illawarra — the NRL’s apparent chokers — a chance.
What unfolded at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday was one of the most extraordinary finals performances of the past decade.
Inspired by a powerhouse first-half hat-trick from NSW Origin forward Tariq Sims, St George Illawarra stunned the crowd, the NRL and possibly themselves with a 48-18 win.
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The 30-point, seven-tries-to-three mauling sent Brisbane crashing out of the finals and placed increased speculation on coach Wayne Bennett’s future.
“It’s pretty normal for us, isn’t it?” Paul McGregor said of his side being given little chance of winning in Brisbane, where he has lost all four of his matches as Dragons coach.
“That’s their (the critics’) job, honestly. It’s to either praise or criticise. Everyone would rather a negative story than a positive one.”
Although both sides finished equal on competition points, this could be still be rated among the biggest upsets of the season.
The Dragons beat the Broncos 34-12 in round one, but they haven’t won in Brisbane since 2009.
The 47,296 crowd fell silent as Brisbane fell apart. It was a sad end for retiring Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday.
Victory will pit St George Illawarra against old rivals South Sydney in a blockbuster at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night worthy of attracting a 50,000-plus crowd.
“They are all big at the time of the year,” McGregor said.
Saints’ win also means at least one Sydney team will be in the grand final.
The Dragons will have to play without skipper Gareth Widdop, who left the field after again dislocating his shoulder.
After trailing 10-2 early, St George Illawarra ripped in.
Rampaging forward Tariq Sims ignited the Dragons, scoring a first-half hat-trick.
The third try, which gave the visitors a 28-10 lead, came on the stroke of halftime when he ran straight over the top of his brother Korbin, who was baited and gave away several penalties.
Broncos fans taunted Sims near fulltime as rival players resorted to niggling tactics. But Sims turned, smiled and gestured towards the scoreboard.
“I’ve got my back row which I think is any good as any. I wouldn’t swap them,” McGregor said. “We had a real good purpose behind what we needed to do early.
“We were good enough to put some points on when we got into some field opposition.
“We kicked away really well at the end. The boys showed a lot of character and pushed through important times when under fatigue.
“It was an outstanding victory. I had confidence right through the week.”
St George Illawarra scored 26 successive first-half points after being beaten 38-0 by Canterbury just two weeks ago, and winning just three of their previous nine matches.
A try to Saints centre Tim Lafai nine minutes into the second half meant the Dragons had scored 32 consecutive points. But their sizeable second-half lead looked vulnerable when they lost Widdop, Jack de Belin (foot) and James Graham (concussion) to injury.
De Belin and Graham will play the Rabbitohs but Widdop is no chance.
“We were down to one interchange,” McGregor said.
Kurt Mann will be Widdop’s likely replacement.
The Dragons dug deep as under-pressure halfback Ben Hunt defied the jeers from Broncos fans, who heckled him all day. Hunt had the final say.
His kicking game was strong, his involvement high.
“Ben gets the blame for a lot of things he shouldn’t,” McGregor said.
“I’m just glad he’s in that shed smiling.”
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 48 (T Sims 3 L Ah Mau M Dufty T Lafai L Leilua tries G Widdop 7 Z Lomax 3 goals) bt BRISBANE 18 (D Boyd D Fifita K Nikorima tries J Isaako 3 goals) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Chris Sutton, Grant Atkins. Crowd: 47,296
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