Broncos humiliate Wests Tigers in horrific 54-year first

The Brisbane Broncos have torn the Wests Tigers apart with both sides turning back the clock for records at the opposite ends of the spectrum.

Doesn’t get much worse for the Tigers. Picture: NRL Photos

The Wests Tigers have made unwanted history after being handed a fifth straight loss to start the 2023 season, crushed 46-12 by the Brisbane Broncos.

The 2022 wooden spooners have not started the new season any better than last, making it a second straight season where the Tigers have gone 0-5 to kick off the year.

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The last time a team went 0-5 or worse in two consecutive seasons was the Newtown Jets, who suffered five straight losses to kick off 1968, and nine losses before a draw in 1969.

Surprisingly, while the Jets finished last in 1968, they were second last in 1969, although that is unlikely any comfort to Tigers fans who have not made the finals since 2011.

Coming up against the ladder-leading Brisbane Broncos, it was a training run in the first half as the home side scored 28 unanswered points to put the Tigers to the sword.

The second half was just as grim as the Broncos added three more tries while at a canter, and the Tigers hit back with a pair of their own.

Doesn’t get much worse for the Tigers. Picture: NRL Photos

At the other end of the scale, the Broncos moved to 5-0 to start a season for the first time since 1998 — a season the Broncos won the competition.

It’s just the fifth time in club history the Broncos have been 5-0 with the 1998 unbeaten run ending at 5-0, the 1995 and 1997 Super League seasons going to 7-0 and the 1996 season reaching a club record 8-0 before their first losses. The Broncos won the premiership in both the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

I don't have any words left, the most embarrassing club in the history of sport @WestsTigers

— Ross Catanzariti (@bosco08) April 1, 2023

Good to see a ruthless streak returning to the @brisbanebroncos. Tonight was a game that made many fans and pundits nervous given the team’s recent history against the Tigers. It got sloppy at the back end, but Brisbane never relented | #NRLBroncosTigers@NRLonNine@wwos

— Michael Atkinson (@kinson88) April 1, 2023

Fullback Reece Walsh was once again outstanding for the Broncos with 165m from 14 runs, as well as two line breaks, two more line break assists and three try assists.

He was second in metres only to Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo, who ran 213m in nine runs.

Former Queensland halfback Cooper Cronk said he believed Walsh was a certainty for the Maroons if Kalyn Ponga wasn’t fit.

“He is in the picture there is no doubt,” Cronk said.

“He has set the world on fire in terms of fullbacks right now. Nothing is in stone about Kalyn Ponga.

“Geez Reece Walsh would be one of the phone calls you would make if Kalyn is not right.”

Doesn’t get much better for the Broncos. Picture: NRL Photos

Tigers coach Tim Sheens couldn’t put a positive spin on the result.

“We continually shot ourselves in the foot, they were just too good for us in real terms,” Sheens said.

“Too strong, too quick, and their kicking game, four or five tries from kicks with no one there, they just went through and dived on them.

“We’ve played five games, four of them we’ve competed well with less than 12 points difference. We were always in those games. Tonight was the first one we were never a chance to win. We went out to win the second half — that’s all you can do when you’re behind and 12-all until that last try.

“So the effort was still there. We could have put the cue in the rack and they could have put 30 points on us in the second half, but they didn’t.

“In real terms, we’ve got some work to do, it’s as simple as that.”

Sheens said the side were better in the second half and added the killer blow came with a lopsided possession rate in the first half.

The Tigers have grand finalists the Eels next week, who are reeling at 1-4 after five rounds, before a bye, followed by the Sea Eagles, Panthers and Dragons.

Meanwhile, the Broncos face the 1-4 Raiders, followed by the Gold Coast Titans and 1-4Parramatta in the next few rounds.