Oates hat-trick has Broncos bucking
THREE-TRY hero Corey Oates has helped the Broncos put a tumultuous week behind them to keep their finals hopes alive, with a hardfought 38-18 victory over the Rabbitohs.
If ever the Broncos needed to make a massive statement, it was in last night’s showdown against second-placed South Sydney and they responded in fine form.
Brisbane had just suffered through yet another week of turmoil as developments around the Wayne Bennett coaching saga and his reported tension with CEO Paul White continued to unfold.
They were also at threat of falling out of the top eight, making the clash a must-win for the Broncos.
And it was a hat-trick to towering winger Oates that not only kept the under-siege Broncos’ finals hopes alive but handed Bennett his 400th career win in a massive week for the supercoach.
With the scores tied at 18all in the 61st minute and the Rabbitohs playing with all the momentum, a soaring Oates changed the Broncos’ fortunes, scoring off an Anthony Milford kick to hand his side back the lead.
Two minutes later, a rampaging David Fifita beat four defenders – including monster lock Sam Burgess – to score his first NRL try.
An intercept from Kodi Nikorima with two minutes left on the clock sealed the deal for Brisbane.
There was a scare for the Broncos midway through the game as the Rabbitohs’ giant forward pack paved the way for Souths to come back from 18-0 down, but they managed to cling on to claim the win they desperately needed.
One of the real standouts was retiring forward Sam Thaiday, who played one of his best games yet this season.
He ran for 100m and made a noticeable difference with his injection off the bench.