Folau delivers again in Broncos' big win - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Folau delivers again in Broncos' big win

By Wayne Heming 14/05/2010 10:52:01 PM Comments (0)

Brisbane's impressive 28-6 NRL win over the Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night wound the clock back for coach Ivan Henjak.

"That was guys playing for each other, not wanting to let their team mates down," said an elated Henjak after forward Corey Parker's 200th game in front of 40,000 fans.

"It was a bit of the Broncos of old."

Brisbane led 12-6 at half time on the back of two powerful tries by young centre Israel Folau who once again highlighted how important it is rugby league hang onto him.

Their committed defence then shut the Titans out of the contest after young centre Alex Glenn's desperate tackle knocked the ball from the clutches of Titan's rival Joseph Tomane shortly after half time when it looked like he was certain to score.

Brisbane backed up their performance in upsetting Melbourne last weekend with another display of control with back-rowers Parker, Sam Thaiday, playing his third game in seven days, and Ben Te'o, who suffered a burst ear drum, outstanding.

With Peter Wallace taking some heat off skipper Darren Lockyer and utility Matt Gillett shining brightly in his comeback from a knee injury, Brisbane were all over a frustrated Titans who had few answers.

"We came up against a much better footy side tonight, they were too good for us," said Titans coach John Cartwright.

"Inexperience cost us heavily with some stupid last passes.

"They (Broncos) showed last week (win over Melbourne) was no fluke."

Cartwright said the warning signs had been there for the Titans following a tough month of football in which they had won their last three games.

"(The wins) Masking the fact we were making similar errors," he said.

"We just haven't come across a side who has played as well as the Broncos."

Skipper Darren Lockyer, who suffered a dislocated finger late in the first half, ran the ball more in a performance that would have delighted Queensland Origin selectors who will also have little choice but to select Folau after he terrorised the Titans in the opening 40 minutes.

Lockyer, backing up for his third game in seven days, said he was "very content" with how he felt after such a tough week and 240 minutes of footy.

"I'm handling (it) better than I did five years ago," he said.

Brisbane's last ditch defence was the key to the win and the Titans were left to rue Tomane's missed opportunity just after half time when Glenn arrived just in time.

Fullback Josh Hoffman came up with head-on tackle to stop a try bound Kevin Gordon and a few minutes later came up with a magnificent try-saving tackle to cut down a sideline-hugging Kevin Mead with Brisbane leading 18-6.

Cartwright best summed up Brisbane's performance.

"They were tremendous tonight, they gave us nothing," he said.

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