Benji and the Tigers thrash the Broncos

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Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos

Wests Tigers have humiliated Brisbane at Leichhardt Oval tonight, destroying the hapless Broncos by 48-0 in a dominant display in wet conditions. 

Tigers legend Benji Marshall was terrific for the home side, having a hand in several tries and pulling the strings constantly all night, He was ably assisted by rookie duo in Harry Grant and Billy Walters who were also terrific, scoring a try each, while backrowers Luciano Leilua and Luke Garner had a field day on the edge, scoring two tries each.

Coach Michael Maguire will be tickled pink with some of the individual performances considering Marshall and Walters in particular have been unable to force themselves into the starting 17 at times this season. 

The pressure is now immense on Broncos coach Anthony Seibold, who may have thought he avoided rock bottom after his side defeated the last placed Bulldogs at home last round. The loss was further impacted, with a season ending compound fracture to the femur for winger come backrower Corey Oates. 

The Tigers got the jump early at Leichhardt Oval, when a set scrum play saw both Adam Doueihi and veteran Chris Lawrence combine to put winger David Nofoaluma over for the first try of the game. Moses Mbye converted from out wide and Wests led 6-0 after just 10 minutes. 

Tigers rookie Harry Grant then doubled the lead for his side, when he threw a classic dummy close to the line and strolled over to score under the posts. Mbye converted the try and it was all the Tigers leading 12-0. 

It was Wests other rookie, Billy Walters who laid on the next try, when the Tigers again marched downfield, and five-eighth Walters found a steaming Luciano Leilua, who charged over for a try beside the upright. Mbye failed to convert and Wests extended their lead to 16-0. 

Benji Marshall then got onto the scoresheet, after Broncos winger Jamayne Isaako let the ball bounce off a Marshall kick. Isaako then lost possession and Marshall pounced to score an easy try. Mbye again failed to convert but it was 20-0 to the home side in what was proving a scorching first half. 

The rot continued for Brisbane just before the break, when following a forced repeat set, the Broncos attempted a desperate short dropout and it backfired spectacularly, when the ball landed straight into the arms of Leilua who powered away from Brodie Croft to score his second try and give the Tigers a 26-0 lead at halftime.

Wests picked up where they left off in the Second Half when Tigers stalwart Benji Marshall skipped to the right-hand side on the last tackle and found Luke Garner on the edge who strolled over for another easy try in the corner. Mbye again missed the conversion and it was 30-0. 

Things somehow got more embarrassing for the visitors when David Nofoaluma as a last option kicked behind the line on the last. Broncos fullback Tesi Niu then made a meal of it, spilling the ball and the Tigers rookie front rower Sam McIntyre was on the spot to score his first NRL try. Mbye converted and Wests lead 36-0.

Billy Walters then got in on the act, when Benji Marshall put up a bomb, Walters then managed to kick the ball on the volley and into the in goal. Walters then won the race to the ball to score a remarkable try and the Tigers lead extended to 42-0. 

Marshall then put the icing on the cake, when he put Luke Garner over for his second try, after Garner again ran a terrific line off his five-eighth to score his second try of the night. Mbye's conversion extended the lead to an impressive 48-0.
The Tigers now face their fierce rivals Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium in an absolute blockbuster to kickoff Round 11 next Thursday night.

The Broncos draw doesn't get much easier, as they now return to Brisbane to face the Melbourne Storm, who given their rivalry over the years are sure to show no sympathy for the Broncos current plight.