Announcement: Brisbane Broncos has suspended Brendan Piakura today….
The Dolphins, their strong derby rivals, were defeated 28–14 by Brisbane, who also suffered a devastating blow when their star fullback, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, injured his hamstring.
After trailing 6-4 at the half, the Broncos scored four tries in 14 minutes, three of which came from Dolphins mistakes. Fullback Reece Walsh ran the entire length of the field and center Selwyn Cobbo scored two tries.
Suncorp Stadium was packed with 46,224 fans for the game.
After pursuing winger Corey Oates, Queensland representative Tabuai-Fidow exited the field in the 21st minute. Meanwhile, playmaker Kodi Nikorima was forced to the sidelines due to a calf injury.
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With center Herbie Farnworth (shoulder) and forwards Felise Kaufusi (hamstring) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder) sidelined, the Dolphins had already lost three of their best players to injuries.
With Tabuai-Fidow gone, the Dolphins lost their primary offensive weapon in the third Battle of Brisbane, which the Broncos have since won.
Five-eighth The Dolphins lacked cohesiveness after losing their brilliant goalkeeper, even though Nikorima switched to fullback and bench utility Anthony Milford entered the game in the second half.
Giant 21-year-old prop Xavier Willison was the best player on the field in the first half, stomping Nikorima to score and making an impression with many powerful charges.
Dolphins make props Recalled off the bench, Jarrod Wallace scored the first try, an Isaiya Katoa bomb that winger Oates had dropped.
When Willison pushed over Nikorima near the line, the Broncos retaliated.
Walsh had a facial fracture and missed three weeks of action. Although he appeared menacing, there were times when his timing wasn’t perfect.
On the verge of halftime, Broncos second-rower Jaiyden Hunt missed the mark, but Oates scored first after a brilliant cut-out pass from No. 6 Ezra Mam.
Oates’s endeavor
