Controversial late penalty gifts Brisbane a 22-20 thriller over Canterbury

FOR the second time this season, Brisbane have been awarded a late, late penalty to enable them to squeak home. This time an unlucky Canterbury were on the receiving end. WATCH IT HERE.

Joe Ofahengaue of the Broncos celebrates scoring a try during the Round 9 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Thursday, May 3, 2018. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

BRONCOS halfback Jack Bird has been left with an injured quad after falling over on a slippery Suncorp Stadium pitch in Brisbane’s last-minute 22-20 win over Canterbury.

The club’s biggest signing for 2018, Bird was unable to play the last 10 minutes of the game after he slipped over while trying to stop Kerrod Holland from scoring what was almost the matchwinning try.

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It was a big loss for the Broncos in what was a nailbiting finish, but it was young prop Joe Ofahengaue who stood up for the side to score in the 74th minute to equal the match at 20-all.

In the chaotic six minutes that followed, the Broncos were then handed a penalty goal after Bulldogs fullback Moses Mbye was sin-binned for a professional foul, after taking Darius Boyd out as Brisbane attacked the line.

Ofahengaue plunged over for a try in the final minutes.

This opened up the chance for Brisbane winger Jamayne Isaako to yet again kick the winning penalty goal — after also doing so against the Tigers in Round 3 — and for Brisbane to walk away with their fifth win of the season.

However, it was certainly a lucky two points for the Broncos, who looked to be in big trouble against the dominant visiting team.

Brisbane — who held a minute silence before the match for former deputy premier and Queensland Rugby League director, Terry Mackenroth — also seemed to particularly struggle with the ground, which is being prepared for the winter months.

Bulldogs rookie Rhyse Martin scored with his first touch.

Bird was not the only player to fall victim to the ground, as Broncos skipper Darius Boyd also slipped over ahead of Matt Frawley’s try in the first half, while winger Corey Oates failed to score in Brisbane’s left corner, also falling over.

But Boyd was reluctant to blame the pitch for any problems, saying the players will need to wear metal studs to avoid similar problems in next week’s highly-anticipated double header.

“I threw my boots away. I gave them to some kids in the crowd,” Boyd said.

Rookie forward Payne Haas was knocked silly in the second half.

“I wasn’t happy with them.

“We play there all the time and I’ll have to wear metal studs next time.

“I was trying to slow up for a grubber ... the top of the surface just gave way.

“It’s something we’ll have to look at with our boots next week.”

Coach Wayne Bennett also dismissed any further injury concerns around Bird, with the half expected to be back for next week’s clash with Manly.

It was a bizarre game between the two old rivals.

“His quad started to tighten up when he slipped over,” Bennett said.

“He felt it go a little bit and it just tightened up.

“I don’t think he’ll be not available next week ... it was a pretty physical game played at a pretty fair speed.”

Meanwhile, Bulldogs coach Dean Pay labelled the deciding penalty “ridiculous” and confirmed he will be following it up with the NRL.

BRISBANE 22 (A Glenn C Oates J Ofahengaue tries J Isaako 5 goals) bt CANTERBURY 20 (M Frawley K Holland R Martin tries M Mbye 4 goals) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, Chris Sutton. Crowd: 22,225.

Originally published as Controversial late penalty gifts Brisbane a 22-20 thriller over Canterbury