Tongan torpedo gets the Broncos on track
RAMPAGING prop Tevita Pangai stood up as Brisbane’s front-row hitman with a barnstorming performance to crush the Cowboys’ starstudded pack in the Broncos’ 29-10 derby demolition last night.
Jason Taumalolo was tipped to destroy the Broncos but the man so often compared to the Cowboys’ wrecking ball – Tevita the Terminator – instead embarked on a ruthless seek-and-destroy mission at Suncorp Stadium.
Before 45,023 fans, Broncos coach Anthony Seibold celebrated his first win in the Red Hill hot seat thanks to a pumped-up Brisbane pack headlined by Pangai’s speed, strength and savage power running.
Broncos backs Corey Oates and James Roberts each scored two tries in the cakewalk but it was Tongan international Pangai’s midfield mauling that laid the platform for victory.
Stung by last week’s 22-12 season-opening defeat to the Storm, the Broncos responded brutally and beautifully, overcoming the loss of suspended prop Matt Lodge to emphatically win the territorial battle.
A crunching Pangai tackle on Taumalolo, who suffered a knee injury in the early minutes, typified Brisbane’s energy as tries to Oates (10th minute) and Roberts (22nd) propelled the hosts to a 10-0 halftime lead.
The Broncos then went for the jugular after the break, Pangai fittingly driving the dagger into the crumbling Cowboys when he beat two defenders to crash over in the 47th minute for a shock 20-0 lead.
The Tongan torpedo finished with 115m and five tackle busts. Young bucks Tom Flegler (156m), Jaydn Su’A (147m) and Joe Ofahengaue (132m) also ran riot, underlining the brutality of Brisbane’s performance.
The pre-game narrative suggested the Cowboys would carve up in midfield on the back of Big Three – Taumalolo, Jordan McLean and Matt Scott.
But the theme was turned on its head. Brisbane’s forwards hammered North Queensland’s front six.
Big-name Cowboy reputations could not overwhelm Bronco hunger.
Maligned centre Jack Bird produced his best game for the club, setting up two tries, fullback Darius Boyd looked sharp with 151m and Oates ran like a human missile.