NRL 2021: Kevin Walters blasts Broncos after Eels thumping

While Brisbane coach Kevin Walters stayed largely calm in his post match press conference, he absolutely unloaded in the dressing rooms. SEE THE VIDEO

Matthew Lodge (right) of the Broncos looks dejected (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has blasted his troops, accusing them of abandoning Payne Haas and leaving the prop as a one-man band in their Darwin debacle against the Eels.

Haas was the sole shining light from Brisbane’s 46-6 drubbing in the Top End, with the NSW Origin prop amassing 171 metres, 32 tackles and eight tackle busts in a tireless display against a monster Parramatta pack.

It was a gutsy performance from Haas considering the 21-year-old, a Muslim, is observing Ramadan, meaning he has no food or water from dawn to sunset, a remarkable sacrifice given the stifling Darwin heat.

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Haas had every reason to collapse but instead he carried the Brisbane pack, with no other Broncos forward managing 100 metres, prompting Walters to blast his side for failing to jump into the trenches with him during the Anzac Day weekend.

Coach Kevin Walters blasted his underperforming team. Photograph: Che Chorley

“Payne is outstanding,” Walters said.

“I am disappointed that he can put in that sort of effort and it’s a shame he hasn’t got more mates around him to help him out.”

Walters has a mammoth task rebuilding the Broncos, who will finish the weekend in the bottom three with a 1-6 record.

He was again left to lament Brisbane’s inability to master the fundamentals as they completed at 69 per cent, missed 51 tackles and conceded 11 line breaks.

Payne Haas gave his all for the Broncos. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I know where we were inept, it was our handling,” he said.

“It’s not a great result, we just didn’t control the ball, when you turn the ball over continually, a big side like Parramatta will roll through you.

“The Eels did exactly what we wanted to do so it shows how far apart we are on a consistency basis with the top teams.”

To compound the Broncos’ plight, skipper Alex Glenn broke down in the warm up and faces at least a fortnight on the sidelines, ruling him out of next Friday night’s derby against the Titans.

“He tore his calf muscle, so he wasn’t able to take the field,” Walters said.

“Calf muscles don’t heal quickly so he will be out for two or three weeks.”

“It’s really disappointing. We dropped the ball, did too much defence and it was all over. We just weren’t up for the fight.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Kevin Walters blasts Broncos after Eels thumping