Slick Parramatta Eels blitz Brisbane Broncos in NRL’s frenetic return
The Eels made it three wins from three in 2020 as they defeated the Broncos in a six tries to one romp at Suncorp Stadium.
After 67 days sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parramatta have extended their unbeaten start to the NRL season with a convincing win over Brisbane.
The much talked about rule changes proved to be a success when they were put to use for the first time as the Eels defeated the Broncos 34-6 in a six tries to one romp at Suncorp Stadium.
The result completed a successful return to action for the NRL, suspended since March 22 due to the coronavirus crisis.
The one referee and six-again call had a noticeable impact on the game and signalled a return to the frenetic, fast-paced style of rugby league of the 1980s and 1990s.
With no stoppages in play, the contest was a throwback to the gladiatorial, hard-fought games where fatigue becomes the biggest factor and opens the match up for the little men.
For viewers, it was entertaining to watch. In recent years, the players have taken advantage of slowing down the ruck and giving away penalties to catch their breath. Not last night.
On-field official Gerard Sutton took just two minutes to blow the first ever six-again ruck infringement penalty and Parramatta made the most of it when they scored the first try of the game a minute later as Marata Niukore crashed over.
The Broncos had a golden opportunity to get on the board but Anthony Milford slipped just as he appeared destined to pounce on a Brodie Croft grubber.
The young Broncos half, who failed two temperature tests pre-match upon arriving at the stadium before passing a third, did it all himself to get the home team on the board in the 18th minute.
Croft’s brilliance was bettered by winger Maika Sivo in the 28th minute when he somehow got the ball down in the corner with Mitchell Moses’s conversion giving the Eels a 12-6 halftime lead.
Only two penalties were blown in the entire first half, which led to non-stop, continuous football and it didn’t take long for fatigue to set in. It was telling in the second half.
Eels captain Clint Gutherson made the most of a poor Broncos defence to extend the visitors’ lead. Tries in quick succession to veteran centre Michael Jennings and Shaun Lane put the Eels out of sight as the mountain of defensive work for the Broncos took its toll before Waqa Blake’s late four-pointer put the icing on the cake.
Payne Haas was a lone presence in the middle for the Broncos with David Fifita out injured, picking up 161 metres.
The Eels dominated territory, particularly in the second half, with nine players picking up over 100 running metres.
The Broncos showed some defensive heart in the second half, repelling a number of Eels raids, but eventually the pressure told.
“We were very brave and gutsy in defence at times. We had no ball or field position, with limited footy it was pretty positive,” Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold said. “They made us pay, they scored four tries in the second half, it’s a pretty painful lesson for the guys.
“You can see why some judges have got Parramatta as one of the favourites (to win the title).”
Seibold insisted that the pre-match drama with Croft’s temperature checks did not breach the NRL’s strict COVID-19 guidelines.
“He had to go to a holding area,” Seibold said. “He turned up with a high temp but he was OK in the end. It’s no excuse, what happened there with Brodie didn’t have an impact on us.”
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur lauded his side’s dominance.
“The forwards were really good, I could have left our forwards out there the whole game. It was a credit to the work they did during the break,” he said.
“We need to back this performance up and start again. We’ve worked hard on this squad and we like the balance of our team.”
Parramatta host Manly next weekend in the first of five straight matches at Bankwest Stadium.
Brisbane will be out to bounce back next Thursday when they welcome Sydney Roosters to Suncorp Stadium.
THE COURIER-MAIL/AAP
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