Broncos hold off Dolphins in rain-soaked battle of Brisbane

Brisbane’s centre Gehamat Shibasaki fired in a man of the match display to consign the Dolphins to a dreaded 0-4 start to the year in a 20-12 win at Suncorp Stadium.

Shibasaki’s career was in limbo before the start of the season when he was put on a development contract at the Broncos.

The NRL journeyman, who has had four clubs and a stint in Japanese rugby, scored two tries in another sensational display to give the Broncos a 3-1 start to the season in front of a sold-out crowd in the “Battle of Brisbane”. He was also the winner of the “Battle Medal”.

Fellow centre Kotoni Staggs, famous for his match-winning try in the inaugural Battle of Brisbane in 2023, scored a crucial individual try on the cusp of half-time in a typically blockbusting display.

The Dolphins had a crucial call go against them in the first half when half Isaiya Katoa appeared to secure a 40/20 when the Broncos led 10-6.

Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo was clearly over the sideline when he tapped the ball back in-field. The Broncos scored up the other end minutes later through Staggs.

The Broncos celebrate Gehamat Shibasaki’s try against the Dolphins.Credit: Getty Images

Broncos back-rower Jordan Riki was put on report for a shoulder to the head of Dolphins winger Jack Bostock, who left the field for an HIA on the cusp of half-time. Riki was fortunate not to be sent to the sin bin.

Those moments aside, the Broncos were the better side and deserved their win on a rainy Brisbane night.

The Dolphins failed to take their chances and were far too slow while in possession despite the best efforts of centre Herbie Farnworth, who was his side’s best.

No side in premiership history apart from Newtown in 1933 has won a title after losing the opening four games of a season.

The hosts played their most up-tempo football of the year in the first 12 minutes but couldn’t crack the Broncos’ defence.

Gehamat Shibasaki scores for Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images

Brisbane duo Reece Walsh and Staggs held up centre Farnworth with desperation.

The Broncos absorbed the pressure and with one chance put the knife in.

Five-eighth Ben Hunt delayed a pass perfectly to send second-rower Jack Gosiewski through a hole and Shibasaki finished it off.

Hooker Cory Paix took advantage of dreadful marker defence to make it 10-0 after 15 minutes.

Katoa conjured a response by straightening up the attack and forward Max Plath dived over under the sticks.

Staggs, returning from a hip-flexor injury, did it all himself with a blockbusting run. He pointed at the turf with both hands to signal that Suncorp Stadium belonged to the Broncos.

Brisbane’s 16-6 lead at halftime was extended after the break when Walsh put Shibasaki over for his second.

Dolphins centre Jake Averillo scored a 90m try after a quiet night to keep the scores close.

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A good, tough win here for Brisbane against a Dolphins team that is better than their 0-4 start to the season would suggest. The Broncos showed signs of class but it was really their defence that got the job done, while the Dolphins will again be looking to get more out of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and their talented backline next week.

Full-time: Broncos 20, Dolphins 12

Gehamat Shibasaki scores for Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images

Torrential conditions now at Suncorp Stadium as the Dolphins go close to scoring another try down the left, with Kodi Nikorima offloading from the ground to avoid being dragged into touch. Great defence there from Kotoni Staggs.

Brisbane are eight points ahead and will play this set of six as slowly as they can with the final minutes ticking down.

Broncos 20, Dolphins 12 after 79 minutes

Out of nowhere, the Dolphins are in – Jake Averillo finding some space on the right well inside his own half and bursting down the touchline untouched. Time isn’t on their side but they’re not giving up just yet.

Broncos 20, Dolphins 12 after 76 minutes

More pressure from the Dolphins here, Kodi Nikorima forcing a dropout with a nice kick, then the Broncos giving away a repeat set, before Brendan Piakura absolutely flattens Herbie Farnworth with a crunching tackle that forces the ball free. Brisbane’s defence has been excellent tonight.

Broncos 20, Dolphins 6 after 74 minutes

The Dolphins start popping some offloads and making some inroads in the Brisbane defence, and then they earn back-to-back six-agains inside the Broncos’ 20-metre zone. But they still can’t find their way through here, and Kodi Nikorima’s short ball to Herbie Farnworth isn’t quite on target and the Brisbane regain possession.

For all their strike weapons in attack, it could be the Broncos’ defence that wins them this one.

Broncos 20, Dolphins 6 after 64 minutes

A bumper crowd of 44, 278 people has turned out to a rain-soaked Suncorp Stadium for this local derby, and both sides continue to make good fist of things in the wet. The error counts remain low for both sides … and now that I’ve said that, Jamayne Isaako has just spilled the ball in a Billy Walters tackle 15 metres in front of his own goal posts.

The Broncos opt for a scrum on the left side of the field, with their backline spread out on the right. Their set play from the scrum doesn’t yield any results, but the next play does – some slick passing from Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt and a nice tap-on from Reece Walsh allowing Gehamat Shibasaki to slide over for his second try.

Broncos 20, Dolphins 6 after 55 minutes

And we’re back for the second half, with the Broncos getting first possession in this one. The rain has eased up a little, and the Dolphins are within a couple of tries of getting back into this one.

Both sides start the second term with no-frills sets of six, with opposing halfback Adam Reynolds and Isaiya Katoa putting the opposing back threes to the test with booming high kicks on the last.

Then a quick play-the-ball gives Reece Walsh some space and he kicks ahead before the Broncos trap Jamayne Isaako in the in-goal. But a short dropout is grabbed by Jack Bostock and the Dolphins regain possession.

Broncos 16, Dolphins 6 after 45 minutes

The razzle dazzle of the early parts of this game have made way for keep-it-simple wet weather football. The Dolphins have spent plenty of time inside Brisbane’s 20 metres but haven’t had much to show for it, but they get another chance now after Jordan Riki is penalised for making contact with Jack Bostock’s head in a tackle.

They chance their arm, spreading the ball to the right, but the Brisbane defends holds up and they hold a nice lead at the break.

Broncos 16, Dolphins 6 at half-time

The Broncos celebrate Gehamat Shibasaki’s try against the Dolphins.Credit: Getty Images