Cowboys Feel Broncos' Wrath

It would be fair to say that North Queensland were winning the contest in every facet in the first 20 minutes of their clash with the Brisbane Broncos. The Broncos, seemingly enjoying a walk in the park on a nice sunny afternoon, didn't turn up while the Cowboys were well and truly fired up, keen to beat their more fancied southern cousins for the first time.

But just as was the case against Newcastle in round 7, when a senior player from the Broncos felt the wrath of the referee and spent 10 minutes cooling his heels, the sleeping giant of Brisbane stepped up. With a try to Brent Tate equalling Paul Bowman's early effort and the score sitting at 4-all, Allan Langer mouthed off once too often for Matt Cecchin's liking and spent the next 10 minutes in the sheds.

When he returned, he would have been pleasantly surprised to see his side had scored two tries in his absence and were in control at 14-4. He then took part as the Broncos ripped the Cowboys to shreds, scoring another three tries in the five minutes leading into half time to shatter the hopes of the Cowboys leading 32-4. Casey McGuire and Brent Tate each scored doubles, McGuire's identical efforts supporting great busts by Brad Meyers and then Stuart Kelly. Tate's second try was touch and go, the video referee giving Lote Tuqiri the benefit of the doubt after the big winger popped a pass as he went to ground on the last tackle.

When Gorden Tallis slammed the ball on the line with 2 minutes to the break it looked as though 26-4 would be the half time score, but when the Cowboys were penalised for being in front of the kicker from the kick off the Broncos went on a rampage, Chris Walker diving over as the half time siren sounded in the background, Tuqiri's fourth conversion putting Brisbane 28 points clear.

The Cowboys hit back with a try right after half time. Matt Bowen received a skillful flick up from Jaiman Lowe who had put through a well weighted chip kick that fooled everyone. Lowe received the ball from a blatant forward pass, but the try was awarded.

It took the Broncos some time to get back into the swing of things, but it eventually came. Shane Webcke was held up - or at least, in Cecchin's eyes - and from the scrum Shaun Berrigan crossed to extend the lead to 38-8. Minutes later some scintillating play put Kelly on the outside and the former Eels utility sprinted away to score.

Chris Walker's frustration began to mount and his running battle with Ty Williams began to boil over. But as has happened so often in the past, when Walker plays the man he rarely plays the ball and despite some opportunities to add to his try scoring tally he had lost the plot for the remainder of the match.

Lote Tuqiri finished off a scintillating, frenetic passing movement that literally went through all 13 Broncos on the last tackle, Tuqiri eventually sliding over out wide. And when Darren Lockyer and Stuart Kelly combined with some soccer skills the Broncos had hit 50 for the second time in 2002.

It's hard to blame the Broncos for a lethargical display at times. A paltry crowd of just 10215 were on hand and for much of the match you could hear a pin drop it was so silent. It literally took the Broncos 10 minutes of motivation before half time to well and truly win the match. The win was largely inspired by their younger players, with Brent Tate, Casey McGuire, Brad Meyers, Corey Parker and Michael Coorey pointing them in the right direction after a less than impressive opening 20 minutes. Shane Webcke and Gorden Tallis led the way among the senior forwards, while Darren Lockyer and Shaun Berrigan were dangerous at the back. Allan Langer was largely quiet, but Berrigan provided ample opportunities for Tuqiri, Tate, Kelly and McGuire to do the damage.

The Cowboys did not deserve to be thrashed by 44 points. For the first 20 minutes they dominated and some simple handling errors were the only thing standing in the way of a 12 points or more lead. Ty Williams dropped the ball with the line open prior to the Bowman try. To their credit they never dropped their heads despite being completely outclassed. Jaiman Lowe, John Buttigieg and Nathan Fien tried all game, but they simply had no answers once the Broncos hit top gear. Losing the experienced Matt Sing and Glenn Morrison before kick off did not help.

The Broncos will gratefully receive the bye next weekend before their fleet of stars step back into the Origin arena for the decider. The task then is a massive clash with the New Zealand Warriors in two weeks time. The Cowboys, who have still won more games this season than St George-Illawarra and South Sydney, and as many as Penrith, Canberra, Melbourne, Wests Tigers and Northern Eagles, will be hoping to bounce back against the Sharks and lift themselves off the foot of the table.

Play of the Day

Lote Tuqiri (Brisbane) gifted Brent Tate his second try with a miraculous pass off the ground. The video referee looked at it closely but decided Tuqiri passed in the same movement he was tackled, Tate diving over to put the Broncos in front.