The Broncos have put the cleaners by means of the Cowboys in Mackay and secured a 46-20 victory because of a second-half romp on Sunday afternoon.
Brisbane star Selwyn Cobbo proved he’ll fill the void left by Herbie Farnworth within the centres with aplomb, whereas backrower Brendan Piakura’s bench days are behind him after bagging a double – however he may very well be doubtful for Round 1 after choosing up a knee harm.
MATCH CENTRE: North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos reside scores, groups
Cowboys fullback Tom Chester dropped the kick-off chilly and the Broncos made them pay inside 90 seconds as Cobbo put Corey Oates over within the nook.
The lead quickly doubled when backrower Piakura scored because of a deft go from Adam Reynolds, however North Queensland hit again when Semi Valemei intercepted Reece Walsh to race away within the twentieth minute.
Piakura, the person who has changed Kurt Capewell within the second-row, then scored his second with one other barnstorming run down the left edge.
Cowboys younger gun Kulikefu Finefeuiaki crossed after a robust run and hooker Sean Mullany then made it two in a matter of minutes to shut the hole to 16-14 at halftime.
But it was all of the Broncos within the second half as Cobbo, Reece Walsh and Tristan Sailor all scored within the first 10 minutes after the break.
The tallest participant within the NRL, 205cm Broncos teen Ben Te Kura, crashed over earlier than hooker Cory Paix crashed over to place the icing on the cake.
But the Cowboys had the ultimate say when native product Jaxon Purdue scooped on a grubber and the 19-year-old raced 90 metres to attain on the demise and ship the Mackay crowd into raptures.
Here are three of the largest takeaways from the match.
COBBO CENTRE OF ATTENTION
Broncos coach Kevin Walters was fast to call Selwyn Cobbo as Herbie Farnworth’s substitute within the centres and the younger gun was even faster to repay the coach’s religion.
Cobbo was the membership’s main try-scorer final season taking part in on the wing however he seemed proper at dwelling within the No. 4 jumper in opposition to the Cowboys
The 21-year-old scored a sensational strive when he rose above the pack to haul in a bomb and he arrange one other for Reece Walsh.
Cobbo completed with 108 metres from 12 carries that produced three deal with busts and a linebreak.
“He’s got that ability to make things look easy, Selwyn Cobbo,” Greg Alexander mentioned on Fox League.
“But word is he’s never trained harder, his mindset is absolutely razor sharp and that can only be a good thing because this man has all the talent in the world and if he’s running hot in the centres for the Broncos, look out opposition.”
Cobbo’s greatest problem this season shall be defensively and in opposition to the Cowboys he missed two of his eight tackles.
“It’s good, I trained all pre-season in the centres and I played 80 minutes today and it felt good,” Cobbo mentioned.
“It’s just working more with your half and getting up more (in defence), it’s good. I’m pretty gassed but I’ll get used to it.”
PIAKURA PACKS A PUNCH
Brendan Piakura was already on his approach to turning into among the best bench gamers within the NRL and now he’s confirmed he might be among the best beginning backrowers within the competitors.
Piakura performed most of final yr off the bench, together with within the grand ultimate, however it’s protected to say the person who has changed Kurt Capewell gained’t be driving the pine in 2024.
“When he came on in the second half of last season you could see the Broncos lift,” Greg Alexander mentioned.
Piakura bought by means of a mountain of labor in opposition to the Cowboys and scored two tries, his second of which was a barnstorming run from 30 metres out.
The 21-year-old solely performed the primary half earlier than succumbing to a knee niggle, however he nonetheless completed with two linebreaks and three deal with busts from his eight runs which produced 84 metres.
Piakura was seen in a knee brace at full-time and is reportedly doubtful for Round 1 pending the results of scans on Monday.
FINE FINEFEUIAKI
Cowboys coach Payten determined to blood his younger weapons as an alternative of play his stars they usually held their very own in opposition to the star-studded Broncos for 40 minutes.
And the younger bloods have been led by 20-year-old Kulikefu Finefeuiaki who the membership consider has an enormous future forward of him.
Finefeuiaki was named North Queensland’s rookie of the yr final season and rival golf equipment are queuing as much as poach him for subsequent season.
The backrower confirmed why in opposition to the Broncos when he scored a strive after beating three defenders near the road.
Finefeuiaki completed with 59 metres from seven runs that produced two deal with busts and a linebreak, whereas additionally making 25 tackles and lacking only one.
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION IN OUR LIVE BLOW BELOW. CAN’T SEE IT? CLICK HERE!
Source: www.foxsports.com.au