A hat-trick from superstar fullback Tamika Upton has guided Brisbane to a 22-16 win over Cronulla, earning the two-time Dally M Medallist a new piece of NRLW history.
The 29-year-old became the first player to score 50 NRLW tries in her 52nd game on Thursday night, kicking off a faultless start to the season for the Broncos.
“We talk about generational players… Meeks is certainly one of those,” said Bronocos coach Scott Prince.
“They’re just a special talent that doesn’t come by every year. For Meeks to be the way she is is no coincidence.
“The amount of work she does off the field as well, she prepares herself as best as she can, and when she goes out there and plays the way she does, it’s all the hard work she does off the field.”
It was a much improved performance from Cronulla after a big loss to Sydney Roosters last week, putting the NRLW premiers under the pump at Ocean Protect Stadium.
“I think the turnaround from last week, last week wasn’t a performance we were proud of, but tonight could have gone either way,” said Sharks skipper Tiana Penitani Gray.
“Taking a team like the Broncos deep, they’re the reigning premiers, so for us to be able to bounce back so quickly, that’s the kind of performance we can build our season off.”
It was a much improved performance from Cronulla after a big loss to Sydney Roosters last week, putting the NRLW premiers under the pump at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Down 12-4 at halftime, the Sharks put on back-to-back tries through Jaydika Tafua and Chantay Kiria-Ratu before Broncos star Julia Robinson scored to level the game at 16-all with 17 minutes left to play.
A third try from Upton shot the Broncos to the front with nine minutes left, and they held on to maintain a remarkable winning streak.
They’ve now won 12 straight games, including last year’s grand final win over the Roosters.
ON REPORT
Cronulla captain Tiana Penitani Gray will face a nervous wait for the charge sheet on Friday morning after being place on report in the first half.
A kick-chase that went wrong, she mistimed a hit on Broncos winger Caitlin Urwin, catching her high around the head with her forearm 10 minutes into the clash.
It was a tough return for Penitani Gray who made her return to the field for the first time since State of Origin I, where she suffered a fractured patella that has kept her sidelined.
The Sharks face the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium next Saturday night and will need Penitani Gray on the field to help turn their season around after two straight losses to the grand finalists.
INJURY ISSUES
There’s concerns for Sharks forward Rhiannon Byers, who was taken off the field in tears after coming second best in a collision with Romy Teitzel.
The 27-year-old former Rugby 7s star suffered a shoulder injury early in the second half after being bumped to the ground by Teitzel.
She looked to be in a world of pain, and didn’t return to the field.
Byers will go for scans to determine the severity of the injury.
BRONCOS ON FIRE
Back-back-wins for the Broncos kicks off a perfect start to the season for the premiership-winners.
New recruit Jesse Southwell was enormous in the win, but Upton was the hero of the night.
Still favourites for the title, the Broncos return to Brisbane next week to face Wests Tigers.
Pamela WhaleyStaff writer