Brisbane have began their 2023 NRL marketing campaign with a bang, knocking over reigning premiers Penrith in a nailbiting 13-12 victory.
A tryscoring double from English heart Herbie Farnworth and a 71st-minute discipline objective from Adam Reynolds sealed the win for Kevin Walters’ Broncos.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Edward Kosi scores an excellent nook attempt for New Zealand.
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“He nails it; Adam Reynolds with the sphere objective – ice cool, as at all times,” Dan Ginnane stated on commentary when Reynolds scored the essential level for the Broncos.
“We’re on the verge of a monumental upset.”
However they did not make it straightforward, the Broncos almost throwing away a seven-point buffer within the final 5 minutes in entrance of 17,125 followers at BlueBet Stadium.
Hooker Soni Luke barged over from shut vary with Nathan Cleary decreasing the deficit with the conversion to depart the Panthers one level adrift.
Cleary then went for a two-point discipline objective, his effort lacking and being collected by fullback Selwyn Cobbo, who then spilled the ball.
Luke regarded to have gotten his facet the victory by pouncing on the free ball however to Cobbo’s aid, replays confirmed Jarome Luai was offside on the kick chase.
It regarded like it could be a simple equation for the Panthers on Friday once they surged forward after simply eight minutes.
Canterbury-bound heart Stephen Crichton put them forward after second-rower Liam Martin made an incisive break upfield.
Penrith had the higher hand in territory and possession however Brisbane had been capable of strike again when Reynolds snuck down a brief facet and despatched Farnworth in on the nook.
The Englishman, who introduced this week that he can be becoming a member of the Dolphins subsequent season, then added a second after Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam pinballed his approach via a gap within the Panthers’ line.
Martin and Luke Garner each went shut for the hosts earlier than halftime however the Broncos had been capable of end on the break 12-6 up.
Brisbane weathered an early onslaught however once they did get the ball it did not assist that Cobbo was dragged into contact on the primary sort out.
Cobbo, who was standing in at fullback for the injured Reece Walsh, wasn’t alone in making errors within the Broncos’ backfield with Corey Oates and Farnworth additionally coughing up helpful balls to the Panthers.
Whether or not it was as a result of early season rust or the departures of Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau over the low season, Penrith lacked the precision in assault that has been an indicator lately.
Interchange hooker Luke supplied some much-needed spark within the second half and crossed after Reynolds’ match-sealing discipline objective.
However a second attempt eluded him and allowed Brisbane to seal their first away victory over the Panthers since 2009.
