Match Report: NRLW Round 5 vs Broncos
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A 90-metre intercept from Julia Robinson sparked a storming second-half comeback from the Broncos which lifted them to a 44-14 over the winless Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
After facing an initial 12-0 deficit and then trailing 14-6 at the break, Robinson's long-range effort set in motion a second-half shutout in which Brisbane outscored their opponents 38-0 to claim their third win on the trot.
Having fallen just short in a two-point loss to the Eels a week prior at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, the Wests Tigers made a dream start at their other traditional home and by the 15th minute mark had already equaled their largest single-game points haul of the season, to lead 12-0.
A monster run and offload from Sarah Togatuki sent Pauline Piliae-Rasabale over for the first try of her 14-game career, before Salma Nour punished a napping Broncos line with dart out of dummy-half.
Salma Nour Try
Piliae-Rasabale was on target with both ensuring conversions, before consecutive errors from the hosts opened the door for the Broncos to set up camp in the attacking zone, eventually ending in Gayle Broughton dancing through untouched from close range, with Romy Teitzel's conversion halving the deficit.
A penalty in front of the sticks with seven to play presented the Wests Tigers with a shot to extend the gap to 14-6 at the break.
But a wayward pass from Brooke Talataina soon gifted the Broncos with a hit back, with Robinson picking off the pass and engaging in a footrace with Rikeya Horne down field, eventually shaking out of a tackle attempt to score her fifth of the season.
Over the next 11 minutes Brisbane got over the line for a further two tries, with Chelsea Lenarduzzi charging over under the posts before a determined effort from skipper Ali Brigginshaw ended in her breaking free of three would-be tacklers to plant the ball down.
Chelsea Lenarduzzi Try
The reliable boot of Teitzel made it 24-14 with 20 to go, before a powerful carry from Tafito Lafaele that ended over the line six minutes later all but put the result beyond doubt.
Lauren Dam, who only entered the game as a HIA replacement for Mele Hufanga in the 53rd minute, finished up with a double, with a Hayley Maddick strike on the back of a huge run from Brianna Clark nestled in between capping off a comfortable win.
The result lifts Scott Prince's side to second on the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership ladder, after they started the season 0-2, while for the Wests Tigers it marks a 12th-straight defeat since joining the competition last year.
Match: Wests Tigers v Broncos
Round 5 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
away Team
Broncos
2nd Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Match Snapshot
- Brisbane didn't lead the game until the 42nd minute, but dominated the final half hour of the contest to finish with 58 percent of the ball and register 57 tackles breaks to their opponent's 21.
- The Broncos have now won 10 of their 13 NRLW games played in Sydney.
- Thanks to her long-range intercept early in the second half, Broncos winger Julia Robinson has now scored 10 tries in her past 10 NRLW games. The Queenslander also had 284 metres in the win.
- Najvada George went on report after 26 minutes, with Wests Tigers teammate Sophie Curtain following on the hour mark for a late hit on Ali Brigginshaw.
Lauren Dam 2nd Try
- Broncos forward Keilee Joseph was sent for a HIA inside the opening five minutes which she passed, while Wests Tigers centre Rikeya Horne also passed a HIA and returned for the second half.
- Brisbane centre Mele Hufanga left the field for a HIA in the 53rd minute and did not return.
Play of the Game
The turning point of the game. Camped on their own line, Brisbane faced falling further behind early in the second half before Julia Robinson swarmed on a poor pass from the Wests Tigers and took it to the house. After engaging in a footrace with Rikeya Horne for most of the trip to the line, it was a subtle swerve and fend that finished the move off.
Julia Robinson Try
What They Said
"The conversation at half-time from Princey [led the turnaround]. We let ourselves down and let them down as coaches. In the second half to hold them scoreless is something that we worked really hard on, so I am really proud of the girls. We have had games where we weren't able to turn it around, so today was a big day." – Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw.
Broncos: Round 5
"We played so good for 35 minutes, 14-6 up at half-time, we did all that we spoke about during the week, defended well, finished tackles off. The second half we just fell off the cliff, they scored a try very early, then they scored a second try in the second half and we just didn't want to tackle anymore, didn't want to defend... we missed over 50 tackles." – Wests Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley.
Wests Tigers: Round 5
