Reece Walsh and the Brisbane Broncos have been made to pay for their errors after falling agonisingly short of an extraordinary comeback in the World Club Challenge. Hull KR and Willie Peters continued their all-conquering ways, winning 30-24 against the NRL champions on Thursday night (Friday morning Aussie time).
The English champs became just the third team ever to complete the quadruple crown – winning the Super League title, minor premiership, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge. Hull KR led 30-4 after 55 minutes, and looked set for a comfortable victory. But the Broncos scored four tries in 16 minutes through Pat Carrigan, Deine Mariner, Gehamat Shibasaki and Kotoni Staggs, before the comeback ultimately fell short.
Reece Walsh and the Broncos made too many errors as Hull KR won the World Club Challenge. Image: AAP
Walsh had a typically ‘rocks or diamonds’ game, producing two try-assists, two line-breaks and three line-break assists while running for a massive 240 metres. But the star fullback made a horror blunder early in the game that led to a Hull KR try, and ultimately cost the Broncos.
Walsh spilled his lollies at the back and couldn’t hang onto a bomb near his line, and Hull KR scored their second try from the ensuing set of six. The English side scored three-straight tries on the back of Broncos errors to leave everyone stunned. “They’re picking the NRL champions apart,” said Andrew Voss in commentary for Fox. “Can you believe it?”
Corey Jensen (L) was knocked out and Reece Walsh (R) made a costly blunder as the Broncos made a disastrous start to the World Club Challenge. Image: Fox League
Tries to Tom Amone, Elliot Minchella and Joe Burgess had Hull KR leading 18-4 at half-time, before Oliver Gildart and Peta Hiku crossed in the second. Broncos prop Corey Jensen was knocked out of the game after just 90 seconds after attempting a low tackle in just the second set of six of the game. The front-rower looked very groggy as he got to his feet, and failed his head injury assessment (HIA) in the sheds.
It meant Xavier Willison was forced into action less than two minutes into the game. Thankfully the Broncos’ first game of the NRL season is on March 6, meaning Jensen should be available after serving his 11-day stand-down period under concussion protocols.
Broncos’ 34-year drought in World Club Challenge continues
Michael Maguire confirmed a surprise move just an hour before kick-off when Ben Hunt was demoted to the bench and Cory Paix started at hooker. Hunt was the starting No.6 when Brisbane won the grand final last year, but Ezra Mam was promoted to the run-on side on Thursday night.
The Broncos were trying to win their first World Club Challenge since 1992, but ultimately fell short. It’s Maguire’s second loss in the fixture after he was coach of Wigan when they lost to St George Illawarra in 2011, although he then led Souths over St Helens in 2015.
“It was the longest 20-odd minutes of my life,” Peters said after the game about his side’s near-collapse. “I am just really happy with the way they scrambled, fought and dug in to win. We were the underdogs. Not many people thought we could win.”
Tom Amone celebrates a try for Hull KR against the Brisbane Broncos.
(Danny Lawson – PA Images via Getty Images)