Pezet shines as Parramatta defeats Brisbane in high-scoring match

But judging by the signs at Suncorp Stadium, Pezet has the class, toughness and character to rise to this level.

Rocks and diamonds Walsh

With just 20 minutes remaining before the start of the contest, fans would have been forgiven for believing that centre-back Reece Walsh was about to conquer a special display. Instead, it was just another rock or diamond trip.

The dynamic No 1 ran strongly in the early exchanges, eventually launching a dummy and cutting back from close range to score Brisbane’s first try of the season.

However, as momentum began to swing in Parramatta’s favour, errors crept into his play; He came fully into the game following Smith’s attempt to give the Eels territory where Tuilagi could immediately pass.

His first assignment came in the second half and Walsh made a tame clearance to hand the ball back for Iongi to cross for the second time.

Mam’s break in the line before Staggs set up his second with a neat chip over the top gave Brisbane hope of salvaging their initial lead, and his shock chip and chase to score his second then pushed his team back in front.

But in the end, he and his teammates were too hot and too cold to pick up their first win in their premiership defence.

In contrast, Iongi, a product of Brisbane before joining the Penrith system, was excellent throughout the night, adding 162 running meters, two line breaks and five tackles to his double tries.

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Defense horror show

It looked like the Broncos were on course for an emphatic victory as they tried to put aside the criticism leveled at them following last week’s slight defeat against Penrith.

But for all their mastery on the ball (Walsh looked ominous from the start) their left-wing defense was an absolute disaster.

Brisbane made just two tackles from their own 20-metre line in the first half, but Pezet, Tuilagi and Iongi left Brisbane five-eighth Ezra Mam and center Gehamat Shibasaki completely exposed, who combined for nine costly missed tackles.

Following 19 errors against the Panthers last week, the Broncos’ discipline on the ball improved and they completed 19 of the opening 20 sets in 40 minutes, but their work off the ball was demonic.

59 per cent of possession at half-time was given to Walsh, Haas and Kotoni Staggs, but manager Michael Maguire will be furious at the off-the-ball performance he has just witnessed.

In the end this meant mistakes returned to Brisbane’s game and they finished the match with 11 points at full-time.

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