Broncos defence under the pump

THE Broncos are set for a defensive overhaul, with coach Wayne Bennett to turn up the heat on his side ahead of Thursday’s crucial showdown with the Cowboys.

Before Round 25, Brisbane were the second best defensive team in the competition and were sitting in the top two on the ladder with Melbourne.

But after leaking 52 points to Parramatta, they have now conceded more points than the Storm, Sharks and Roosters this season. After also slipping out of the top two, an unimpressed Bennett will looking to fix it as soon as Thursday.

The focus on defence was evident yesterday, as the team hit the training paddock for the first time since the embarrassing loss to the Eels.

Left-edge combination Corey Oates and Tautau Moga became the first to feel the brunt of the reaction to the loss, with the pair taken through defensive drills by Bennett and assistant coach Jason Demetriou.

But it is not expected that Oates and Moga will be the only two targeted this week, with the whole team set to be put through their paces as they edge closer to the derby.