Raiders on a roll as Broncos humbled
CANBERRA have kept their blistering start to the NRL season rolling with a hard- fought 26-22 victory against Brisbane.
It marks the 5-1 Raiders’ best start to a season since 2003, while the 1-5 Broncos have slumped to their worst opening after six rounds this century. The Raiders dominated the early exchanges yesterday at Canberra Stadium and winger Nick Cotric scored in the corner on six minutes.
The Broncos had their first attacking chance just inside 20 minutes and Kodi Nikorima made the most of it to draw level. Raiders star Joey Leilua responded with some individual brilliance to score on the half-hour in front of 17,193 fans. The Dally M centre of the year bagged a double just four minutes later after Brisbane fullback Darius Boyd was forced to bat the ball into touch.
England international John Bateman then gave a sensational offload to Leilua and Jarrod Croker converted for a 14-4 lead after 34 minutes.
Brisbane crossed first in the second half through David Fifita. Broncos playmaker Anthony Milford had the ball on a string and put Corey Oates in the corner with a pinpoint kick. Jamayne Isaako converted and the Broncos went ahead 16-14 on 60 minutes, but the Raiders weren’t done.
Bateman darted out of dummy-half to score his first try for Canberra before his countryman Ryan Sutton sealed the result in the 66th minute. Brisbane centre Jack Bird scored in the final two minutes but the Raiders held on. Canberra travel next round to face Manly, while the Broncos host Cronulla.