By Nick Wright
If it was not already clear, it is now - Kotoni Staggs’ retention is a must for the Brisbane Broncos.
The one-time New South Wales Blues centre was near undefendable, as his side tore the Gold Coast Titans to shreds in a 44-14 demolition job to breathe life back into a season which threatened to flounder.
At the heart of it was Staggs, who had a linebreak in the opening set to create the field position for Gehamat Shibasaki’s first try, before he leapt above Alofiana Khan-Pereira from an Adam Reynolds’ bomb to score himself.
Kotoni Staggs celebrates scoring for the Brisbane Broncos against the Gold Coast Titans.Credit: NRL Photos
After putting Jesse Arthars down the touchline for another chance, Staggs then leapt above Tino Fa’asuamaleaui minutes later to earn a 20-metre restart, charging down the field and shrugging off a tackle to lay the foundation for Josiah Karapani to cross in the corner.
Karapani, in for the axed Selwyn Cobbo, would later score from a sensational cutout pass from Ezra Mam, after a Billy Walters’ 40/20 shifted the second half momentum back in their favour.
One of the main drivers behind the Broncos’ all black kit in their Mental Health round, Staggs was in a realm of his own, and ensured that as he comes off contract this year he remains the priority retention target ahead of Cobbo.
“It’s close, close, close. My manager’s taking control of that, and I’ve just got to keep playing good footy. Obviously I just want to win games here, and that’ll worry about itself in the background.”
Kotoni Staggs on his contract
After losing six of their past seven games heading into Saturday night’s clash, the Broncos needed an energiser to spark them into action.
While they still need to prove they can prevail in a grinding contest, Staggs proved that lifeline, with his teammates responding to his 176 running metres and six tackle busts to produce their best performances in a month.
Walsh’s promising return
Reece Walsh did not need to make his classic scything runs to announce his comeback from a knee injury. His passing game did enough.
At the end of the first set, the enigmatic fullback’s three-man cutout pass for Shibasaki to score was a thing of magic, a play he replicated in the shadows of halftime to orchestrate another opportunity.
Outside that, there was nothing flashy or trademark Walsh. But the way he held the defensive line together, and injected himself when needed and capitalised with some great vision, showed he was willing to do what was needed to bring the best out of his teammates, rather than himself.
Truth be told there were errors in Walsh’s game - a dropped bomb and kick out on the full in the second half the lowlights - but neither proved costly as his side defended their line.
He sent an almighty scare through his camp, his knee twisting after reeling in a bomb late in the match and buckling under him, but he was quick to shake the trainer away from him.
Reece Walsh celebrates in the Brisbane Broncos win against the Gold Coast Titans.Credit: NRL Photos
Good thing he did too, as he produced a slicing step from close range to score, before supporting a Staggs break to cross again among his 161 running metres, in his one and only audition to Maroons coach Billy Slater ahead of State of Origin game two selections on Monday.
“One thing with Reece spending a bit of time away, he’s actually looked at his game and looked at ways where he can improve. Reecey’s very hungry to improve, and to see him talking to Reyno and talking about their footy together, that adds to what we’re doing out there.”
Michael Maguire
Piakura comes of age
For so long he has been lauded the future of the Broncos’ forward pack - the edge forward they needed to provide some brute force in defence and hard line running in attack.
Brendan Piakura had shown signs of that, without delivering consistently, but his efforts against the Titans must remain a foundation for his game moving forward.
While his linebreak to provide Shibasaki is second try of the night, a run orchestrated by a brilliant short pass from Mam, the 23-year-old was relentless either side of that in all facets.
He forced a knock on deep in his own territory with a bruising hit, and went on to finish with 174 metres and three tackle busts.
Along with Piakura’s exploits, the rest of the engine room produced - Corey Jensen scoring off a brilliant break and offload by Pat Carrigan, while Payne Haas was typically destructive.
The only heartache came from Ben Te Kura, who was helped from the field with 35-minutes on the clock with an ankle injury and spotted in a moon boot.
“He’ll probably have to get a scan to work out what it is. He’s pretty positive out there, so we’ll wait and see.”
Michael Maguire on Ben Te Kura
Where to now for the Titans and Hasler?
The Titans have maintained coach Des Hasler was in no danger of losing his job, despite mounting speculation given the plight his squad have found themselves in.
That much was made clear this week, after the NRL issued the ‘Mad Scientist’ a final warning for calling out officials in his post-game press conference.
“Contrary to recent reporting, the Titans ownership group [Frizelle and Kelly families] want to confirm Hasler will remain head coach, and is contracted until the end of 2026.”
Titans statement to Hasler’s warning
The reality, however, is the Gold Coast are showing no signs of improvement under the former Manly premiership-winning mentor, and are languishing at the bottom of the ladder.
By halftime, trailing 28-0, they had run for more than 400 metres less than their rivals, had conceded six linebreaks while making none, and just switched off in what proved to be decisive moments.
Even early in the second half when they earned a scrum within striking distance of the Broncos’ line, they gave away a penalty at the feed. Nothing went right, despite a Khan-Pereira double coming on the back of several chances to attack.
They vastly improved in the second stanza, Arama Hau scoring with 90 seconds left, but will continue to leave Hasler’s future on the Glitter Strip up in the air if they cannot immediately overturn their fortunes.