Gritty Raiders too strong for ill-disciplined Broncos

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Brisbane Broncos v Canberra Raiders

The Canberra Raiders have picked up a rare win against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, courtesy of a very strong, determined and gritty performance up front, which frustrated the Broncos attack into making a lot of uncharacteristic errors.

The Raiders started strong and after 7 minutes, they were the first to score when they marched deep into the Broncos half after receiving a penalty. On the second tackle, they sent the ball wide on the right side where they have the extra man, which resulted in Sebastian Kris putting Jordan Rapana over for a try. Jarrod Croker converted from out wide.

It took 8 minutes for the Broncos reply, which came from a scrum win deep inside the Raiders half. The ball was immediately sent out to Selwyn Cobbo, who got squashed between two Raiders defenders in the corner, but he miraculously got the ball down for a try, despite the heavy contact. Adam Reynolds failed to convert from the sideline.

The Raiders crossed again 10 minutes before halftime when Jordan Rapana jumped into dummy half, 10 metres from the Broncos line, he darted for the try line, burrowed down low and forced his way through the defenders to score a strong solo try. Croker converted again.

A high shot on Josh Papali'i 90 seconds before halftime allowed Croker to extend the lead further when he kicked a penalty goal. At halftime the Raiders held a 14-4 lead.

The broncos started the second half with far more energy in attack and defence and it bore fruit immediately when Reynolds ran to the line on the last in the 42nd minute and 12 metres from the Raiders line. He grubbered behind the line then the ball bounced high, the two Raiders players got in each others way, leading to a fumble. Jordan Riki following through planted the loose ball for a try. Reynolds converted the try

The Raiders refused to yield though and after a strong surge through the middle, they score on the next play when Jamal Fogarty kicked to the left corner where Albert Hopoate leaped over the retreating Kotoni Staggs and he scored in the corner. Croker again converted from the sideline to give his side a 20-10 lead.

The Broncos started to lift in attack and defence after the hour mark while the Raiders started to look tired. In the 71st minute Ezra Mam threw a flat cut-out pass to Jesse Arthars who dived to score in the corner. Reynolds failed to convert, to reduce the margin to 6 with 7 minutes remaining.

In the 77th minute a Reynolds bomb was taken cleanly by Rapana, who fell as he took the catch, but in doing so, his head collided with Martin Taupau's shin who was providing kick pressure. The collision caused Rapana to drop the ball, but even worse, it busted his head open and he immediately started bleeding quite profusely. Kurt Capewell picked up the loose ball and scored. The referee initially ruled a knock on, but after the bunker reviewed the incident, while Rapana was being attended to, Taupau was put on report and the Raiders were given a penalty, while Rapana was assisted from the field.

The match ended with the Broncos continuing to push passes and play panicky football, but in the end, they couldn't score and the Raiders won 20-14.