By Joel Gould
Brisbane have torched Wests Tigers 46-12 to give the Kevin Walters-coached high-flyers their best start to a season since 1998.
The unbeaten Broncos have won five games in a row to start the year, just as the club’s premiership-winning side did 25 years ago.
The powerhouse pack, led by dynamic duo Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, terrorised the Tigers up front in front of 27,553 fans at Suncorp Stadium.
That grunt was complemented by the brilliance of the Broncos’ back line with captain Adam Reynolds and outside backs Selwyn Cobbo, Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs dazzling.
Fullback Walsh, who suffered from cramp in the second half, was unstoppable once the game opened up and his three try-assists showcased his ability to set up his teammates with aplomb.
The hapless Tigers had no answers and have now lost their opening five games.
Coach Tim Sheens and his team will have a lot of soul-searching to do in the coming week but where they go from here is anyone’s guess.
Tigers forward David Klemmer meets a Broncos defensive brick wall.Credit:Getty
Broncos back-rower Jordan Riki had a groin complaint during the week but showed no side effects in a 25m charge to the line to open the scoring in his 50th NRL match.
The floodgates then opened.
Back-rower Kurt Capewell chased a sublime short kick by No.6 Ezra Mam, Haas swatted three Tigers away from dummy-half and Cobbo raced 85m after a bumbling Tigers error.
Riki added his second before the break when he chased a deft Reece Walsh kick to take the hosts to a 28-0 lead.
The Tigers were powerless in the face of the onslaught.
They were too slow, disorganised and made elementary errors, which didn’t help their cause.
Staggs scored a double in the second half but errors crept into the hosts’ game and the Tigers rallied.
The Broncos 1998 side recently celebrated the 25-year anniversary of their title win.
It is too early to say the current side will emulate their success but the similarities are clear.
Back then the Broncos had Shane Webcke and Brad Thorn up front. Haas and Carrigan are worthy successors.
The back line featured the genius of Darren Lockyer, Steve Renouf and Allan Langer.
Walsh, Staggs, Reynolds and company are providing similar entertainment and, more importantly, wins on the scoreboard.
Haas was put on report for a high shot on Alex Twal.
AAP
