Broncos’ halfback, Allan Langer is tackled by Cronulla’s Gavin Miller
Brisbane halfback, Allan Langer won his battle with Test incumbent, Peter Sterling in a controversial match against Parramatta at Lang Park watched by the Broncos’ biggest crowd of their debut season – 23,202.
The Broncos won 24-18 to maintain their unbeaten record – after five rounds – under the coaching of Wayne Bennett and the captaincy of Wally Lewis.
It was Lewis who scored the match winner from a Langer grubber kick, the result a tribute to Brisbane’s tenacity, given they were down 12-2 mid-way through the first half.
But Bennett said the Broncos had to play better, with their form in a downward spiral since the Round 1 home win against Manly.
“We’re still immature, always doing dumb things to keep the opposition in the match,” he said. “We’re in fantasyland if we thought any different, because the other teams will improve. One thing that can’t be taken from them is their character, they hang in.”
Sterling and second rower, Peter Wynn were Parramatta’s most influential players, with Sterling also questioning several decisions of Brisbane based Test referee, Eddie Ward.
At the media conference, Parramatta coach, John Monie took some thinly disguised swipes at Ward, saying the Eels did well to get so close, given they had to “swim against the tide.” But immediately after the game, in a TV interview, Monie said: “Someone stole the game from me. I have a pretty fair idea who did it. I thought it was pretty red hot.”
Ward disallowed a try by Steve Ella after the Eels’ five eighth took a pass from Sterling.
“The pass went a full metre backwards,” said Sterling. “Then the referee allows a 95-metre try to the Broncos (winger, Michael Hancock) after a blatant knock-on.”
NSWRL Referees’ Co-Ordinator, Dennis Braybrook said he was sick of the innuendo doing the rounds.
“I see Eddie as a referee living in Brisbane, not a Brisbane referee,” said Braybrook.
NSWRL CEO, John Quayle said no action would be taken against Monie.
“He could have been referring to Wally Lewis stealing the game,” Quayle said.
The Broncos’ win was notable for the courage of veteran forward, Bryan Niebling, who made a try saving tackle on Sterling seven minutes from the end. Niebling had injured his back before packing into the first scrum, and had to have his shoes tied after showering, as his back had seized.
Just 48 hours later the Broncos were brought back to earth when beaten 24-10 by Penrith, at Parramatta Stadium in the knockout Panasonic Cup competition. The result raised questions about Brisbane’s depth, with a number of players elevated from reserve grade for the clash.
Penrith led 24-0 at halftime, and playing catch-up football in the heavy rain was ‘mission impossible’ for Brisbane. Man of the Match was Penrith halfback, Greg Alexander.
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