Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos scores, odds, team news, updates
Payne Haas will be sent for a scan with a knee injury after failing to finish in the NRL’s 21-20 win over Brisbane’s Wests Tigers.
Haas was hampered midway through the first half at the Campbelltown Sports Stadium and looks set to add to the Broncos’ list of major injuries, which also includes Reece Walsh, Ben Hunt and Jesse Arthars, who limped off at half-time with a calf problem.
A long period without Haas would prove devastating for Brisbane’s premiers, who were guided to victory by Adam Reynolds at half-time on Saturday night.
Haas’s fitness will also be a concern for NSW coach Laurie Daley with just over six weeks to go before the State of Origin series opener in Sydney.
If Daley is looking for a ready-made replacement, Tigers back Terrell May had a strong draft pick in a game in which he threw for 188 yards and five interceptions.
May was an outstanding game for a Tigers team who failed to capitalize on a dominant opening 20 minutes against a depleted Broncos team.
Adam Doueihi converted Taylan May’s first try in the ninth minute and then scored a penalty to put the home side ahead.
Brisbane returned to serve when Xavier Willison ran up the middle and appeared to be stopped by Api Koroisau.
But the Broncos’ support continued and Ezra Mam managed to lob the ball to the left wing for Josiah Karapani to slip.
Haas stood up cautiously after a challenge involving Royce Hunt and attempted to continue but was carted off the field in the 34th minute after the Tigers took the lead through Jahream Bula.
Reynolds then showed all his experience, setting up winger Deine Mariner with a cross and hitting a through ball close to the line to Ben Talty to give the visitors an 18-14 lead at half-time.
Koroisau produced a flowing move to put the Tigers ahead but two mistakes on a high ball from young winger Heamasi Makasini opened the door for Brisbane.
In the next set, Koroisau gave away a penalty for not being in line with Reynolds’ penalty poke.
The experienced halfback then scored a goal in the 70th minute to seal the victory and end the Tigers’ three-game winning streak.
