NEW RECRUIT SHOCKS THE ROOSTERS
BRONCOS recruit James Segeyaro last night sensationally ignited Brisbane’s season, combining with NSW Origin contender Payne Haas to inspire a boilover against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.
In a finals-style slugfest before 28,288 fans, Anthony Seibold’s Broncos Babes became big-game hunters as Segeyaro, Haas and 18-yearold halfback Tom Dearden rocked the premiers with a season-defining 15-10 upset.
Finally, the bumbling Broncos have found their spirit under Seibold – and Segeyaro, working as a barista two weeks ago, got their pulses racing.
Arriving in Brisbane just four days ago after being signed from the Newtown Jets, Segeyaro suckerpunched the Roosters in his Broncos debut, producing a 70th-minute dummy-half snipe that proved the matchwinner.
It was a magnificent display by the Broncos, who have surged back into finals contention with a 4-6 record and a defensive intensity that ruffled the table-topping Roosters.
The Broncos have copped all sorts of brickbats in the opening nine weeks, but this display is proof Brisbane’s young guns can beat anyone on their day. Brisbane played with more hunger and energy from the outset, holding the Roosters to 8-8 at halftime before Anthony Milford’s 65th minute field goal set up a thrilling finale at 9-8.
With the Roosters on the ropes, Segeyaro delivered the knockout punch to provide an emphatic coronation to the Broncos’ most impressive performance under Seibold.
While Segeyaro was a hero, Haas stepped up as a State of Origin bolter, charging for 206 metres and scoring a first-half try.