Raging Bull Leads Broncos To Victory
by
Saturday June 28, 2003

24 hours earlier, fans were labelling the Brisbane and Queensland skipper as washed up, past it, a has been.  After a performance that will rate with some of the best in his career, inspiring the battle weary Broncos to a 10-8 victory over Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, they will be eating their words.

Tallis was, quite simply, the Raging Bull of old.  Amongst 9 players backing up from State Of Origin II for the Broncos, Tallis was a beacon of inspiration, and his other weary teammates followed his lead, particularly fullback Darren Lockyer, and props Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva.

The Roosters were equally as brave and gallant, with six State of Origin players of their own backing up, and suffering the tragic blow of losing form back rower Craig Fitzgibbon to a knee injury in the opening minutes. 

However, despite that set back, the Roosters led 8-0 after 20 minutes with a try to Anthony Minichiello, who leapt high to take a Brad Fittler bomb above the pack.  The subsequent conversion and penalty goal gave the Roosters the lead.

But Gorden Tallis was just warming up.  He was denied a try 10 minutes before half time when video referee ruled Lockyer had knocked on in a touch-and-go decision close to the line, but nobody was denying him a second time.  Tallis grubbered from close range, ricocheting off Todd Byrne, and then again off former Bronco Chris Walker before Tallis slammed the ball down to reduce the margin to just 8-4 at half time.

Tallis gave his former teammate a mouthful for his trouble, but it was Tallis' work on the field that was doing all the talking.

The Roosters had an opportunity to extend their lead back to 6 shortly after half time but Michael Crocker's penalty shot sailed wide.  Darren Lockyer then set up Tonie Carroll for a charging run with a pin point kick from his own half. Carroll scooped the ball up brilliantly, Lockyer supporting before giving it back to the big centre, who was then beautifully tackled by Minichiello in the corner. Shannon Hegarty finished the job by putting him into touch.

But Minichiello undid his own good work with back to back errors which gave the Broncos attacking possession.  Ryan Cross then narrowly missed an intercept, and on the subsequent play, Shane Webcke charged through, giving the ball away to his front row partner Petero Civoniceva to score under the posts. For Civoniceva, who yesterday re-signed with the club for another year, it was his third try in as many games, and none more important than this one.  Michael De Vere converted for a 10-8 lead.

The Broncos then dug in to hold the Roosters at bay for the final 10 minutes, but not before Brett Finch, Brad Fittler, Hegarty and Cross caused some anxious moments. The time elapsed and the Broncos and their 28000 fans at Suncorp Stadium celebrated one of their finest wins.

The win takes the Broncos four points clear of Canberra on top of the ladder, although the Raiders get back within two by the end of the round courtesy of their second bye. They're also now six points clear of the Roosters, who have now lost three of their past four games in the first representative season that has really taken its toll on them. The price of success.

Shaun Berrigan, Corey Parker and Richard Swain were also outstanding for Brisbane, while Carl Webb and Brett Seymour had impressive returns to the top grade in place of Ben Ikin and Dane Carlaw.

For the Roosters, the loss won't affect their position on the table unless the Bulldogs beat Penrith by 55 points or more, but the loss of Craig Fitzgibbon possibly for the season will be a devastating blow.  Already the defending premiers have lost Justin Hodges for the season with a cruciate ligament injury, and early diagnosis suggests Fitzgibbon has suffered the same fate.

Luke Ricketson was an inspiration for the Roosters, playing the full 80 minutes after enduring 65 minutes of Origin football 48 hours earlier.  Chad Robinson, Craig Wing, Mick Crocker, Minichiello and Shannon Hegarty were also strong performers for the tri colours.