Brisbane Broncos ‘monstered’ by teenage prodigy Jeremiah Nanai

A star was born at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, with Cowboys young gun Jeremirah Nanai scoring a hat-trick against the Broncos.

Jeremiah Nanai of the Cowboys. Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images

A star was born at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with North Queensland Cowboys young gun Jeremiah Nanai scoring a “terrific” hat-trick against the Brisbane Broncos.

The second-rower has been touted as the club’s heir apparent for veteran forward Jason Taumalolo, and he proved exactly why during the Round 3 contest in Brisbane, his seventh game in the NRL.

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In the 13th minute, Nanai pounced on a grubber from teammate Chad Townsend to extend North Queensland’s lead to 8-0.

Then early in the second half, the 19-year-old leapt into the air to pouch a Tom Dearden bomb, diving over the line to increase the lead to 18 points.

There was some conjecture as to whether the footy had bounced off Townsend’s chest into the arms of an off-side Nanai, but the try stood regardless.

And he completed the hat-trick five minutes later, soaring above his rivals like an AFL footballer to claim the mark and score his third four-pointer of the day.

Nanai also gained 117 metres in 14 runs as the Cowboys secured a comprehensive 38-12 victory over their Queensland rivals.

“Nanai, you beauty,” commentator Andrew Voss cried on Fox League.

“Did I say hot property? He has got a bullet point next to his name. He is some player.

“He is finding his way to the line too. We saw him score on debut last year and then we saw him score last week against the Raiders.

“Todd Payten likes what he sees. If you haven’t seen Nanai play before this is the biggest game of his life.

“What about what he has provided today.”

Jeremiah Nanai of the Cowboys celebrates scoring a try. Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images

Former Cronulla Sharks star Michael Ennis described Nanai as “one of the young superstars our game has found over the last 12 months”.

“The sheer speed of the young edge back-rower,” he said.

“He has been terrific. He is so athletic. He is aggressive.”

North Queensland slide up to second on the NRL ladder after their second consecutive victory while the Broncos suffer their first defeat of the 2022 season.

“I’m so proud of the boys performing well this afternoon,” Nanai said after the win.

“We prepared all week for this. I think we had a good week, so it was good.

“(The focus) was starting fast because the last few games we started slow. Todd (Payten) told us to start fast in the first half and start fast in the second half.

“The boys did that.”

Cowboys coach Todd Payten said he was “cautiously optimistic” the club would retain the hat-trick, telling reporters after the win: “We’ve had conversations with his management and the management have asked us to hold off until round six, and we’re just fulfilling their wishes.

“I know that this is the right club for him.

“He’s a local junior and this is why the Cowboys were put into the competition, to give a pathway to our kids in North Queensland to play NRL. Fingers crossed that we can work something out.

“He’s got some ability, and he’s still learning. He’s only been 19 for about two or three weeks, so I’m really excited about what he can offer our club, and he makes us a better team when he’s playing.

“He makes the players around him better too, so for a kid at his age to look as comfortable as he does at times is exciting.”

THAT'S THREE! Jeremiah Nanai is having a DAY 👏👏#NRLBroncosCowboyspic.twitter.com/Zk3m4G7WGL

— NRL (@NRL) March 27, 2022

If the Brisbane Lions find themselves in Covid trouble they might chase Nanai. Kid can take a mark. #NRLBroncosCowboys

— Rob Sutherland (@rob_sutherland3) March 27, 2022

Get Nannai a contract yesterday #NRLBroncosCowboys

— Ross Edwards (@Ross_Edwardz) March 27, 2022

Speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, Broncos coach Kevin Walters confessed his side had been handed a timely reality check.

“Long-term I am still very excited where this team can go this season,” he said.

“We got a punch in the face today. We have got to respect the punch in the face, but get our dukes up ready for next week against the Warriors.

“We were in the game at different stages, but over the course of the 80 minutes the Cowboys were just better than us.

“Obviously the scoreboard reflects that, but they just had a little bit more effort and energy over 80 minutes.

“We weren’t quite there but they were certainly there and deserved their win.”

AAP’s Fraser Barton tweeted: “The points have come, but this is an unreal defensive effort by North Queensland. Energy and line speed. Broncos in all sorts.”

Sports reporter Mark Gottlieb posted: “The Broncos have been absolutely monstered today. What a performance from the Cowboys.”

ABC’s Paul Johnson tweeted: “This @brisbanebroncos performance has been awful.”

The Cowboys will next face the Sydney Roosters at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 7.35pm AEDT.

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos ‘monstered’ by teenage prodigy Jeremiah Nanai