Tuqiri's Record Night

The Northern Eagles have maintained their record of the past six weeks of good game, bad game, backing up from last weekend's stunning win over St George-Illawarra by capitulating to a red hot Brisbane Broncos at ANZ Stadium. Lote Tuqiri was the chief destroyer, scoring three tries and kicking 7 goals from 9 attempts for a personal tally of 26 points, a record for the club in a single match.

Brisbane started at blistering pace, rattling off tries to Tuqiri, Darren Lockyer and Chris Walker to establish an 18-0 lead in even time. However, the Eagles fought back to be within six points 10 minutes before half time. From then on the Broncos were dominant, running in 32 unanswered points, Tuqiri's record coming after the full time siren converting a well deserved try to Carl Webb.

Tuqiri's three tries were some of the best all season, two coming in rather bizarre circumstances. The first, in just the sixth minute of play, came after a good break by prop Shane Webcke. Chris Walker backed up, attempting a kick in behind the line for Tuqiri. The ball ricocheted off the Eagles defence and Tuqiri was on the spot to sprint 25 metres to score.

His second came after a scrappy 15 minutes early in the second half. Lockyer fired a bullet pass to Tuqiri that collected the head of Brent Tate on the way through, bouncing 10 metres forward. Tuqiri scooped up the loose ball and sprinted unopposed into the corner. Video referee Mick Stone had no alternative but to award the try, as Tate's sensational header was completely accidental.

Tuqiri's third was the best of the night. 15 minutes before full time, Tuqiri got on the outside of the Eagles defence 10 metres out from his own line. He was ankle tapped, stumbled, but managed to stay on his feet, then galloped 90 metres to score, finally getting away from a gallant chase from Lenny Beckett 20 metres out from the line.

While Tuqiri's performance made him the indisputable man of the match, it was the efforts of the big forwards that were most impressive. Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva punched holes in the Eagles defence at will. But the biggest destroyer was Carl Webb, laying claim to a spot in the Queensland 17 which will be announced on Sunday. Webb made three line breaks in the match, and one late in the match deserved a try. The big second rower busted the Eagles and saw he had 70 metres to run. He fended off defender after defender, finally being pulled down just a metre out. Sadly the movement broke down when Shane Walker was called for a knock on at dummyhalf although replays suggest otherwise. Webb's time came after the siren when he charged onto a pass to score, a try that brought up the 50 and Tuqiri's record with the conversion.

It was a night of amazing four pointers for the Broncos. After Tuqiri's early 6-pointer, Lockyer capitalised on some brilliant work again from Webb and Stuart Kelly, who came in for Michael De Vere who pulled up sore after scoring 14 points in City's 26-16 win over Country. Webb, running onto a pass from Allan Langer, charged 40 metres up field before offloading to Kelly, who was being pushed into touch only to flick the ball in miraculously to Lockyer to score. Tuqiri's conversion hit the left upright and bounced back in for a 12-0 lead.

Chris Walker scored his first shortly after, continuing his fine combination with Lockyer to score.

The Eagles fought back as the Broncos eased off the accelerator, with tries to Scott Pethybridge and Tasesa Lavea from kicks by Luke Dorn. That brought the Eagles within 6 points but merely awoke the sleeping giant of the maroon and gold. Lockyer scored his second after he sent an inside ball to Walker, who sent a brilliant but dubious pass to Shaun Berrigan, Lockyer backing up the movement he began to score.

Walker then made it a double before half time when he got on the outside of the Eagles near halfway, standing up fullback Brendon Reeves and scoring in the corner. Tuqiri missed his first kick of the night but the Broncos were in control at 28-12.

It took 16 minutes for the Broncos to continue their authority in the second half before Tuqiri's second and third tries. Replacement forward Corey Parker added his name to the tryscorers list in the final 10 minutes with a strong try before Webb finished the match off right on full time.

It was a commanding display from the Broncos, whose attack flourished despite resting Allan Langer for the second half. Langer, in reality, was relatively quiet as Lockyer, Berrigan, Walker and Tuqiri set about dismantling the Eagles. Strong forward performances from Dane Carlaw, Brad Meyers, Gorden Tallis and Parker backed up the efforts of Webcke, Civoniceva and Webb. Phil Lee and Shane Walker shared the dummyhalf duties, Walker sporting a dreadful moustache. Brent Tate played strongly despite being concussed just prior to half time. It was a strong all round effort from the Broncos with all 17 contributing to a performance that heralded their best attacking effort of the year, as well as typically strong defence.

The Eagles were woeful, but prop Jason King and replacement forward Mal Kaufusi were outstanding in a beaten side. Brendon Reeves tried hard from fullback and five-eighth Luke Dorn made some valuable contributions in attack. Ultimately the Broncos defence shut down any opportunity the Eagles created with desperate cover defence.

Brisbane enjoy the benefits of the bye next week before the vast majority of the 17 go into camp for State of Origin. They will have 19 points, and with 15 games to play the Broncos would need to win just five to assure themselves of a finals berth. But they won't be looking that far ahead. Origin fever is about to strike.

Play of the Day

Brent Tate (Brisbane) might find himself on a plane to Japan and Korea later this year after showing his soccer skills in the second half. Tate set up Tuqiri's second try with a mesmerising header from a bullet like Lockyer pass. The young centre was lucky not to gain a second bout of concussion, but will undoubtedly win the Footy Show's coveted Golden Falcon award.