Tigers find their roar in Queensland

NRL24
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Brisbane Broncos v Wests Tigers

A second half rampage has seen the Wests Tigers record a much-needed victory over the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Trailing at halftime and with their season on the line, the joint venture rallied with six second half tries to run out 42-24 victors.

The Broncos - starting as favourites for only the second time this season - opened the scoring through Corey Oates (5th minute) before establishing an 8-0 lead via a penalty goal in front of the posts.

The Tigers responded with a try to Luciano Leilua (15th minute) only to hand back possession to the hosts with an error from the ensuing kick-off.

Capitalising on the field position after Tyson Gamble threaded a grubber for Jordan Riki (19th minute) to score his first of the season, a succession of errors proved costly for the home side.

A beautiful cut-out ball from Adam Doueihi resulted in a historic try for David Nofoaluma (30th minute), as he surpassed Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence to become the Wests Tigers' greatest ever try-scorer with 85 four-pointers.

Striking a pivotal blow on the cusp of halftime, the Broncos headed to the sheds up 18-10 after Payne Haas delivered a magical offload to send Thomas Flegler (38th minute) underneath the posts.

Coming out for the second half determined to keep their season alive, Daine Laurie sparked a fight back by taking on the line from close range (45th minute), before following up with a huge break in the next set to allow Tommy Talau (47th minute) to capitalise on the retreating defence.

Kotoni Staggs (50th minute) put the Broncos back in front after Gamble and Riki combined to send the powerhouse centre over for his first try since returning from an ACL tear sustained in the final match of last season.

Talau (61st minute) steadied the ship for the visitors with his second, while the Tigers were afforded a slice of luck when the bunker overturned a try to Jamayne Isaako as a result of Riki obstructing Luke Brooks in the lead up. 

Getting out to their biggest lead of the match after the Broncos failed to clean up a bouncing ball in-goal, Nofoaluma (68th minute) pounced before Junior Pauga (70th minute) secured the victory with a try on debut.

Completing the stunning second half performance, Stefano Utoikamanu (73rd minute) crashed over to give the Tigers their biggest win of the season.

Next Saturday, the Broncos will face the Panthers ‘away from home' in Brisbane, while the Tigers will oppose the Sea Eagles on the undercard of the Suncorp Stadium double header.

Brisbane Broncos 24 - Wests Tigers 42

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Crowd: 24894
Halftime Score: Brisbane Broncos 18 Wests Tigers 10

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Daine Laurie
2 points - Adam Doueihi
1 points - Payne Haas

BRISBANE BRONCOS (24)
Tries: Corey Oates, Jordan Riki, Thomas Flegler, Kotoni Staggs
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Jamayne Isaako (1/1)

WESTS TIGERS (42)
Tries: Luciano Leilua, David Nofoaluma (2), Daine Laurie, Tommy Talau (2), Junior Pauga, Stefano Utoikamanu
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Adam Doueihi (5/8)
Penalty Goals:


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