Broncos delay their return as Eels fire
AFTER 67 days sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parramatta have extended their unbeaten start to the NRL season with a convincing win over Brisbane.
The Eels made it three wins from three in 2020 as they beat the Broncos 34-6 in a six tries to one romp at a crowdless Suncorp Stadium.
The result completed a successful return for the NRL, suspended since March 22 due to the coronavirus crisis.
The new six-again rule for infringements in the ruck, crafted during the competition’s hiatus, had an instant impact on the game.
With their second set for the night, the Eels got back-toback six-again calls and used that to maximum advantage with Marata Niukore crashing over the fourth minute.
The new rule and the move back to one referee made for a frenetic match played at a brutal pace, especially for players who have been back training for only three weeks.
The Broncos had a golden opportunity to get on the board but Anthony Milford slipped just as he appeared destined to pounce on a Brodie Croft grubber.
The young Broncos half, who failed two temperature tests pre-match upon arriving at the stadium before passing a third, did it all himself to get the home team on the board in the 18th minute.
Croft’s brilliance was bettered by Eels winger Maika Sivo in the 28th minute when he somehow got the ball down in the corner.
Mitchell Moses converted to ensure the visitors had a 12-6 halftime lead.
Payne Haas was a lone presence in the middle for the Broncos with David Fifita out injured, picking up 161m.