The Brisbane Broncos secured a 46-24 victory over the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, although the win was overshadowed by injuries to key players. Jesse Arthars and Xavier Willison each scored two tries for the Broncos, but the game took a troubling turn when Adam Reynolds sustained a hamstring injury in the 46th minute, shortly after converting his try. Additionally, Brendan Piakura was knocked out in a tackle, leading to further concern for the home side.
The match began with a controversial opening try from Arthars, which was confirmed by the Bunker despite concerns regarding the grounding. The Tigers countered ten minutes later with a try from teenage sensation Luke Laulilii, following a well-placed grubber from teammate Lachlan Galvin. After a fierce battle, the score was 14-12 in favour of the Broncos at half-time, bolstered by a two-point field goal from Reynolds.
The second half saw Willison quickly score his second try, extending the Broncos’ lead. While the Tigers fought back with tries from Sunia Turuva and Starford To’a, the Broncos responded decisively. Willison’s strong performance helped secure the win. However, the game ended on a somber note as Piakura was carted off the field after suffering a serious injury during a tackle.
Fans were left pondering the implications of Reynolds’ injury, especially after a difficult previous season where he managed only 13 games due to health issues. Despite that, he was seen later on an exercise bike, suggesting the injury might not be serious. As the Broncos celebrate their victory, they will be hoping for quick recoveries for both Reynolds and Piakura as they prepare for upcoming matches.