Fulltime at Southern Cross Stadium: BRISBANE 26 CRONULLA 18
BRISBANE have overcome their heavy loss to Warrington at the World Club Series to inflict a defeat to kick off Cronulla’s NRL premiership defence.
The Broncos were never headed in warm conditions at Southern Cross Stadium, although it was 6-6 early and the Cronulla narrowed the deficit to two late in the contest.
Alex Glenn played no part in the second half for the visitors after a head clash in the first session. “He couldn’t remember any of the first half,” said coach Wayne Bennett.
69 min: Milford try, Kahu goal. Brisbane 26-18.
Ben Hunt changes the point of attack and Anthony Milford beats five – yes, five – defenders with a twinkle-toed run against struggling defence. Broncos in control now.
From nothing into something!#NRLSharksBroncos 18-26 with 10 minutes to go.#NRL pic.twitter.com/peuSoxZsZo
— NRL (@NRL) March 2, 2017
59 min: Leutele try, Maloney goal. Brisbane 20-18.
Ricky Leutele reaches out to score – I thought it was a double movement live but video referee Bernard Sutton disagrees. The Broncos are on the back foot now. Maloney’s conversion is pretty damn good.
49 min: Maloney try, goal. Brisbane 20-12
A bit of an in-goal scramble after a Sharks break, with Chad Townsend heavily involved. He made the break and then centre-kicked for Maloney.
Vision of the @Cronulla_Sharks Try decision in the 49th minute of #NRLSharksBroncos#NRL pic.twitter.com/QJAwpfGYDD
— NRL Bunker (@NRLBunker) March 2, 2017
45 min: Oates try, Kahu goal. Brisbane 20-6.
Quick hands to the right from the Broncs and Corey Oates dives over just inside the north-western corner post with Edrick Lee caught out defensively. Kahu converts from the sideline.
Vision of the @brisbanebroncos Try decision in the 46th minute of #NRLSharksBroncos#NRL pic.twitter.com/mcBRKaEvQO
— NRL Bunker (@NRLBunker) March 2, 2017
41 min: Alex Glenn has failed a concussion assessment following that clash with Tagataese and won’t be back. Brisbane 14-6
Halftime at Southern Cross Stadium: Brisbane 14 Cronulla 6 #NRLcrobri #rugbyleague #NRL pic.twitter.com/jreuCi2UOH
— rugbyleaguehub.com (@leaguehubcom) March 2, 2017
Halftime at Southern Cross Stadium: BRISBANE 14 CRONULLA 6
CRONULLA’s premiership defence got off a a roaring start when they pinned  Brisbane in-goal from the kick-off in the first match of the 2017 season at Southern Cross Stadium.Â
The Broncos steadied the ship and hit back with a Jordan Kahu converted try in the fifth minute. That was equalled by Gerard Beale’s touchdown five minutes later and Kahu edged the Broncos ahead with a subsequent penalty goal.
But the decision to eschew a -penalty goal paid off for the Broncos when centre James Roberts won the race to an Anthony Milford grubber on the half-hour.
“Bit messy but a good way to start the season” – Boyd#NRLSharksBroncos #NRL pic.twitter.com/9xMh8RALuv
— NRL (@NRL) March 2, 2017
At h’time in 2016 @brisbanebroncos led 17 times; 14 wins, 3 losses. @Cronulla_Sharks trailed 9 times; 5 wins, 4 losses. #NRLSharksBrisbane
— David Middleton (@Middleton_David) March 2, 2017
35 min: Short stoppage after a head clash between Alex Glenn and Sam Tagataese. Brisbane on the attack. Brisbane 14-6
30 min: Roberts try, Kahu goal. Brisbane 14-6
Brisbane get a penalty in front against Paul Gallen for a hand on the ball. James Roberts chases a kick into the southern in-goal. The kick was from Anthony Milford. It’s a try.
Roberts gets there in the knick of time!#NRLSharksBroncos #NRL pic.twitter.com/uBrgDZMYf6
— NRL (@NRL) March 2, 2017
18 min: Kahu goal. Brisbane 8-6
A penalty goal from almost in front. There is lots of ball movement so far, which can only be a good thing. Two tries in the opening 10 minutes, each with sweeping backline lead-up, augurs well for the year ahead.
This Brailey kid can play! #NRLSharksBronco #NRL
— rugbyleagueguru (@rugbyleagueguru) March 2, 2017
10 min: Beale try, Maloney goal. 6-6
A break down the left from the Sharks and Jack Bird delivers a one-handed pass to Gerard Beale who crosses for the first try of Cronulla’s premiership defence.
#NRLcrobri NRL: The Sharks answer back with a Try from Beale!#NRLSharksBroncos 6-6 after 12 minutes.#NRL pic.twitter.com/XNqVjqiZUN
— Broncos News (@BroncosNewsNRL) March 2, 2017
The momentum! And the @brisbanebroncos are the first to score in 2017 thanks to @JordanKahu.#NRLSharksBroncos #NRL pic.twitter.com/7JHGjKG4yf
— NRL (@NRL) March 2, 2017
5 min: Kahu try, Kahu goal
Despite the shaky start, Brisbane score first with Darius Boyd proving the cut-out ball for Jordan Kahu to cross in the south-western corner. Good conversion.
Brisbane 6-0
The momentum! And the @brisbanebroncos are the first to score in 2017 thanks to @JordanKahu.#NRLSharksBroncos #NRL pic.twitter.com/7JHGjKG4yf
— NRL (@NRL) March 2, 2017
o min: Adam Blair is pinned in-goal from the kick-off. Cronulla 0 Brisbane 0
Freddy speaks with Shane Flanagan ahead of #NRLSharksBroncos#NRL pic.twitter.com/SqMgGqOsQ5
— NRL (@NRL) March 2, 2017
Wayne Bennett chats to Freddy ahead of kick off#NRLSharksBroncos #NRL pic.twitter.com/tQbgUPLhhT
— NRL (@NRL) March 2, 2017
Wayne Bennett on his aura: “I heard it was somewhere under the grandstand here so I came looking for it”.
1 min: Adam Blair pinned in goal from the kick-off. Brisbane running towards the north. Cronulla 0 Brisbane 0
Congratulations Valentine Holmes – you’ve just become the first player this season to invent a word: a “mindshock”.
The Channel Nine coverage is sponsored by McDonalds. Does KFC still have the video referee? Who is ambush marketing who?
Under 20s fulltime: Brisbane 40 Cronulla 38
CRONULLA: Gerard Beale; Sosaia Feki, Jack Bird, Ricky Leutele, Edrick Lee; James Maloney, Chad Townsend; Paul Gallen (c), Wade Graham, Luke Lewis, Matt Prior, Jayden Brailey, Andrew Fifita. Res: Jayson Bukuya, Chris Heighington, Sam Tagataese, Nu Brown.
BRISBANE: Darius Boyd (c); Corey Oates, James Roberts, Tautai Moga, Jordan Kahu; Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt; Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday, Adam Blair, Andrew McCullough, Korbin Sims. Res: Alex Glenn, Tevita Pangai Junior, Herman Ese’ese, Jai Arrow.
The Sharks and Broncos are 1-17. Full teams to be posted shortly.
