As it happened: Broncos shake Titans; Panthers, Warriors salute

Post match

Titans 

Broncos

Fulltime: The Broncos prevail in what was an entertaining - if not high-quality clash - in the local derby, claiming a 26-14 win. There were errors aplenty from both sides, but the game was played with intensity. In the end, the Broncos finished with 54 percent of the possession and they made it count. After a terribly ill-disciplined first half where both teams made 10 errors apiece, the second half saw them clean that up a little, with the Titans finishing with 13 and the Broncos 16. While Brisbane were dealt a blow with Brendan Piakura failing his HIA after unsuccessfully attempting to score and landing face first, the Broncos will be hoping he will be fit to return after their bye next week. 

78th min: The Titans haven't stopped trying but the Broncos just aren't letting them through, highlighted by a Gehamat Shibasaki effort on Jaylan De Groot, dislodging the ball as the winger seemed destined to score in the dying minutes. 

Injury update - Sam Verrills comes off for a HIA.

62rd min: After absorbing the pressure on their line from the Titans, the Broncos pressure Campbell into pass that is intercepted by Deine Mariner who takes the ball away from their danger zone. The Titans then give up a penalty to compound that and Billy Walters capitalised with a smart run from dummy half to score another. Reynolds converts and it's 26-14. 

57th min: A double for Jojo Fifita with the Titans attempting to mount a comeback. Some nice play with Randall going to his right, with the second rower passing out to Fifita who sprints away to score. Campbell converts and it's 20-14 and only a converted try the difference. 

48th min: Finally some joy for the Titans, with Jojo Fifita running through on a clever kick into the in-goal from AJ Brimson. The home side got back-to-back plays attacking the Brisbane line after Staggs gave away a penalty for not being square at marker. Campbell converts and it's 20-8 to the Broncos. 

43rd min: Star fullback Reece Walsh gets a try and celebrates with a backflip, after sprinting downfield after being put away by Staggs who shrugs through some defence down the lefthand side. Reynold converts and it's 20-2 to the Broncos who are galloping away. 

Halftime: While the stats say the Broncos should be in front given their dominant possession (58 to 42 percent), the Titans will count themselves as unlucky having kept things close for 30 minutes and showing some strong resolve to hold out their derby opponents. However, the Broncos were able to score back-to-back tries in quick succession to close out the half - one try being against the run of play - to hold a 14-2 lead at the break. Both sides will need to clean up their act, with both making 10 errors each in that half. 

37th min: Broncos go back-to-back in a huge turnaround, with the Titans pressing down their left side in their attacking 10, but a pass goes to ground and Kotoni Staggs scoops it up and charges down the right side before being brought down by Campbell. The Broncos then swing it to their left and find Jack Gosiewski who goes over unmarked. Reynolds converts and it's 14-2 to the Broncos against the run of play.  

34th min: The Broncos are finally rewarded for their favourable possession and Ben Talty goes through the front door in his second NRL game to score. Reynolds converts for an 8-2 lead. 

32rd min: Big cheers around Cbus Super Stadium with David Fifita coming onto the field for his first appearance since Round 8.

31st min: This time it's the turn of the Broncos to show their defensive resolve and they hold Chris Randall up over the line. 

Injury update: A blow for the Broncos, with Piakura failing his HIA.

23rd min: Scores a level in an end-to-end game so far, with Jayden Campbell potting over a penalty goal after Adam Reynolds is pinged for a ball strip. Scores are 2-2. Titans will be happy with the scoreline so far, with some scrambling defence on their goal line preventing the Broncos from scoring a try, despite being on top in the attack so far. 

12th min: Brendan Piakura lands face first into the ground hard in an brave attempt to score and comes from the field for a HIA. Awarded a try on the field, the Bunker overrules and the score remains 2-0. 

5th min: Titans forward Moe Fotuaika goes on report for a dangerous tackle on Xavier Willison. 

4th min: Early points for the Broncos with Adam Reynolds kicking a penalty goal after Phil Sami passed off the ground.  Broncos lead 2-0. 

Late Mail

Titans: A late change for Des Hasler with Alofiana Khan-Pereira back in the side after two weeks in the Hostplus Cup. He will come from the bench in No.20. Jaimin Jolliffe has been promoted to start in place of Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, with the skipper set to back up his Origin heroics from the bench. David Fifita comes from the bench in his return from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since Round 8 while Jayden Campbell (concussion) is back on deck at halfback. 

Broncos: Pat Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki are on track to back up from Origin III, however Payne Haas won't play. The prop managed a back injury leading into Wednesday's decider and has been rested from Sunday's match. Kobe Hetherington comes into the starting side as a result, with Ben Talty added to the bench. Reece Walsh is back in the No.1 jersey while veteran playmaker Ben Hunt returns at hooker after missing six games with a hamstring injury. 

 

Eels v Panthers at CommBank Stadium

Post match 

Eels

Panthers 

Freaky fullbacks: Panther Daine Laurie and his Eels counterpart Isaiah Iongi were superb at the back, safe under the high ball and running for plenty of metres. Laurie had 19 runs for 123 metres and broke four tackles while Iongi ran for 158 metres, broke eight tackles and made 13.

Full-time: Five straight to the Panthers as their quest for a fifth straight premiership gathers momentum. The Panthers completed at 88 per cent and just had too much class for an Eels side that fought bravely in the first half but were overrun after the break.

79 min: Panthers prop Lindsay Smith gets into dummy half and powers through some tired Eels defence to make it 32-10 to the premiers.

76 min: Nathan Cleary gets an early marked having stamped his class on the game and buried some of his demons from Origin Three.

72 min: Something special from Nathan Cleary to ice the Panthers' fifth win on the trot, throwing dummies and producing the show-and-go to bamboozle the Eels' defence for his third try of the season. Paul Alamoti misses the conversion. Panthers 26-10.

67 min: Isaiah Papalii explodes into space off a Nathan Cleary short ball but his offload goes forward and the Eels hang on.

63 min: The Eels are made to pay big time for their butchered try when Izack Tago flick passes to Paul Alamoti who races 50 metres to dive into the corner. Alamoti can't land the conversion so the margin stays at 12. Panthers 22-10.

62 min: A one-on-one steal by Zac Lomax gives the Eels a chance to hit back and they sweep to the right but Lomax spills the ball with the line open and Tom Jenkins comes away.

55 min: Izack Tago slices through some feeble Eels defence from close range and stretches out to score next to the posts. Paul Alamoti converts. Panthers 18-10.

54 min: Nathan Cleary comes up with a neat grubber which Junior Paulo cleans up and the Panthers get the ball back from the dropout.

49 min: The Panthers go left through Nathan Cleary and Casey McLean but the last pass goes behind Tom Jenkins who knocks it on.

43 min: A tester for Daine Laurie with Zac Lomax pouring through on kick-chase but the Panthers fullback comes up trumps again.

Half-time: Possession is split 50-50 but the Panthers' superior control (19 of 21 at 90 per cent) allows them to fight and scrap their way to a two-point lead at the break. Zac Lomax and Isaiah Iongo combined for 24 runs and 232 metres for the Eels while Iongi also had six tackle breaks.

40 min: The Panthers come up with a crucial late try after they keep the ball alive and Luke Garner steps through a poor attempted tackle by Zac Lomax. The conversion from Paul Alamoti makes it 12-10 to the Panthers.

39 min: Zac Lomax launches a shot at a two-point field goal from 42 metres out and pushes it just wide.

37 min: The Eels get another shot at points but Dean Hawkins' kick is picked off by Blaize Talagi and the Panthers hang on.

34 min: A brilliant around the back offload from Bailey Simonsson puts Zac Lomax over in the corner, the Blues winger getting the ball down inches inside the corner post with the cover defence closing in fast. Lomax can't add the extras. Eels 10-6.

31 min: Former Tiger Tallyn Da Silva takes the field for his first action as an Eel.

28 min: A roll ball penalty against Josh Addo-Carr is followed by a high tackle penalty against Jack Williams, who is placed on report. The Panthers opt to take the two points on the back of the Williams penalty. Paul Alamoti bangs it over for 6-6.

26 min: Nathan Cleary is sent into the game from the bench. It's the first time in his 185-game career that Cleary has started on the bench.

22 min: The Panthers strike back when Tom Jenkins shows plenty of strength to get through Zac Lomax's tackle and then reach out to score with Dean Hawkins clinging to his legs and Lomax coming again to try and dislodge the ball. Paul Alamoti's conversion attempt misses to the right. Eels 6-4.

21 min: The Panthers sweep to the right and Izack Tago's pass is knocked down by Josh Addo-Carr to hand Penrith another set from the scrum.

15 min: The Eels strike first when Dylan Brown darts out of dummy half and finds Dylan Walker who puts Kitione Kautoga into a hole with a sublime short ball. Zac Lomax adds the extras. Eels 6-0.

13 min: The Eels are under siege and look set to crack but Dylan Walker intercepts a Mitch Kenny pass right on the goal line and finds Isaiah Iongi who makes good ground.

7 min: The Eels get a shot at early points but Junior Paulo's pass to Dylan Walker is far too hard and the utility spills it.

3 min: The Panthers get an early crack inside the Red Zone but a mistake by Mitch Kenny allows the Eels to come out of trouble.

 

Warriors v Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium

Tanah time: Taking over from Luke Metcalf at halfback, Tanah Boyd was superb for the Warriors. The former Titan kicked well in general play and landed five conversions to go with a try assist and 60 run metres. His combination with five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita was slick as they got the Warriors on the front foot all afternoon.

Full-time: After losses to the Panthers and Broncos in recent weeks the Warriors turned things around in front of their loyal fans. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck turned back the clock with 249 metres from 22 runs while young fullback Taine Tuaupiki had nine tackle breaks and ran for 145 metres.

80 min: Leka Halasima finds himself on the left wing and brushes off Star To'a and Tony Sukkar to score in the corner. Tanah Boyd caps a fine Warriors debut with another conversion. Warriors 34-14.

74 min: Tanah Boyd launches a high ball, Charlie Staines spills it and Chanel Harris-Tavita comes through to pick up the scraps for the match-sealing try. Boyd knocks over his fourth conversion. Warriors 28-14.

71 min: Chanel Harris-Tavita launches a grubber to the corner on last play but it's too long and the Tigers come away with a 20m tap and sevenn-tackle set.

69 min: The Warriors lose their captain's challenge after Tanner Stowers-Smith loses the ball in the ruck and the bunker rules the ball was lost and not stripped.

66 min: A sloppy tap-on by Jack Bird goes forward and the Tigers waste a golden chance to apply some late pressure on the home side.

61 min: Slick hands to the right edge for the Warriors but the final pass goes behind Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and into touch.

58 min: Adam Doueihi shows his strength to power through Wayde Egan and Jackson Ford and dot down next to the sticks to complete the fourth double of his career. Doueihi converts his own try. Warriors 22-14.

57 min: Star To'a puts in a grubber and referee Gerard Sutton rules the Warriors had not played at the ball before it rolled into touch. The Tigers threw in a challenge and were successful.

50 min: Too much class in the Warriors backline for the Tigers with Tanah Boyd and Chanel Harris-Tavita combining to put Roger Tuivasa-Sheck over for his seventh try of the season. Boyd bangs over the extras. Warriors 22-8.

47 min: The Warriors get a repeat set after Tanah Boyd's chip over the top is knocked dead by Charlie Staines.

Half-time: Despite completing 17 of 18 sets at 94 per cent Wests Tigers go to the break trailing by eight points after squandering a couple of late opportunities. Jackson Ford leads the metres for the Warriors with 102m from 11 runs while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ran for 92 metres. Skipper Api Koroisau got through 27 tackles for the Tigers.

39 min: The Tigers get a late shot at points after a mistake by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck mistake but Charlie Staines chooses to kick ahead on tackle one and the ball rolls into touch.

33 min: Welcome back, DWZ. In his return from an ankle injury Dallin Watene-Zelezniak crosses after quick hands from Tanah Boyd, Taine Tuaupiki and Te Maire Martin. Boyd misses the conversion. Warriors 16-8.

31 min: Alex Seyfarth is penalised for a strip, the Tigers challenge, the bunker rules the replays were inconclusive so they stick with the on-field decision but the Tigers retain their challenge.

28 min: Adam Doueihi hits the line hard from 10 metres out and powers through Tanah Boyd to cross on the left edge to get the visitors back into the game. Doueihi misses the conversion. Warriors 12-8.

26 min: Jarome Luai nudges the ball into the in goal and Taine Tuaupiki grounds it. The Tigers get the ball back from the dropout.

19 min: The Tigers concede a high tackle penalty and their defence cracks when Wayde Egan skips out of dummy half and finds Erin Clark who puts Chanel Harris-Tavita into a yawning gap for the Warriors' second try. Tanah Boyd converts from close range. Warriors 12-4. 

15 min: Chanel Harris-Tavita grubbers into the in goal and Sunia Turuva grounds the ball. From the resulting short dropout the Warriors knock the ball on and the Tigers come away.

8 min: The Warriors go right and new halfback Tanah Boyd finds Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad who sends Rocco Berry in for a try, leaving Tigers defenders clutching at thin air. Boyd converts. Warriors 6-4.

2 min: On the back of a penalty for a strip the Tigers march down field and put winger Jeral Skelton over in the corner after some slick hands from Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi. The conversion attempt by Doueihi is unsuccessful. Tigers 4-0.

 

Late Mail

Warriors: The Warriors are 1-17 with no late changes. Taine Tuaupiki lines up at fullback in his first NRL game since Round 10 with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad nursing a knee injury. The loss of halfback Luke Metcalf to a season-ending knee injury brings Tanah Boyd into the side while flying winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak makes an early return from an ankle injury. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava is 18th man.

Wests Tigers: The Tigers are 1-17 with no late changes. Skipper Jarome Luai will back up four days after the Origin decider so Adam Doueihi returns to the centres and Luke Laulilii drops out. Hooker Api Koroisau returns from concussion while Jack Bird comes back in on the bench after being a late withdrawal last week due to illness. Heath Mason is 18th man.

Numbers Game

• The Warriors have won their past eight games against Wests Tigers.
• Wests Tigers have not defeated the Warriors in New Zealand since 2016
• The Warriors have won only two of their past five games
• Wests Tigers winger Charlie Staines has scored five tries in his past six games.

 

Titans v Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium

Late Mail

Titans: A late change for Des Hasler with Alofiana Khan-Pereira back in the side after two weeks in the Hostplus Cup. He will come from the bench in No.20. Jaimin Jolliffe has been promoted to start in place of Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, with the skipper set to back up his Origin heroics from the bench. David Fifita comes from the bench in his return from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since Round 8 while Jayden Campbell (concussion) is back on deck at halfback. 

Broncos: Pat Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki are on track to back up from Origin III, however Payne Haas won't play. The prop managed a back injury leading into Wednesday's decider and has been rested from Sunday's match. Kobe Hetherington comes into the starting side as a result, with Ben Talty added to the bench. Reece Walsh is back in the No.1 jersey while veteran playmaker Ben Hunt returns at hooker after missing six games with a hamstring injury.