Haas, Carrigan lead way as Broncos demolish Roosters
Trent Robinson has refused to buy into the doom-and-gloom headlines about his Sydney Roosters and how they might struggle this year after farewelling so many stars at the end of last year, not to mention the talent now unavailable because of injuries or suspension.
Robinson was optimistic before Thursday’s opener against the Brisbane Broncos, and even declared to the press: “It’s up to us to show what we’ve got right from the start.” So imagine how Robinson must have felt at full-time when the scoreboard inside Allianz Stadium read 50-14.
Imagine how the Roosters’ supporters must have felt? No club has ever conceded 50 points and gone on to win the premiership that season. So, book your September holidays to Europe now, Chooks fans.
Everyone knew life without Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary, Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii, Sitili Tupouniua and Terell May, the injured Brandon Smith and Sam Walker, and suspended Spencer Leniu – a grand total of 1278 NRL games – was always going to sting.
But the Chooks are in for a long year if they produce similar football to what they did on this Thursday night.
To make matters worse, they lost Victor Radley to a concussion early in the first half – his sixth in four seasons – while Angus Crichton was placed on report for hitting Brisbane recruit Ben Hunt after he had kicked.
Take nothing away from Michael Maguire’s Broncos because they were amazing. And enjoyable. It was like watching the Broncos when they were brimming with confidence and playing ad-lib football in the back half of the 2023 season.
One of their tries in the 53rd minute went 55m, featured eight players and 11 passes.
Payne Haas in action against the Roosters.Credit: Getty Images
In contrast, the Roosters only moments earlier somehow botched a four-on-one effort close to the line.
The Broncos had a charter flight back to Queensland late Thursday and would not have had time to celebrate their first outing.
Pat Carrigan punched out more than 50 minutes in his opening stint in the front row, while skipper Adam Reynolds had the ball on a string.
The Roosters own No. 7, Chad Townsend, was only ever bought to the club as a backup playmaker, but will need to quickly click with five-eighth Sandon Smith, who scored a try, but was caught out defensively on more than one occasion.
The Chooks travel to Penrith next Friday. There are no easy games when you have lost so much star power.
