Broncos had to re think strategy to win against Hunters

SP Hunters Enoch Maki wrapped up Brisbane Broncos interchange Joe Ofahengaue and his team mates on their goal mount pic by Mark Talia Post Courier

BY FIDELIS SUKINA

Broncos Captain Alex Glen said the team had to re think their strategy after a tough first half but says they expected the physical battle.

The 26-12 win by the Broncos did have a positive with both teams realizing their flaws and opportunities before the start of the season.

“The game is everything we expected you saw the score in the first half they didn’t stop kept putting pressure on us and they were getting a lot of momentum and we had to regroup in the second half got over our processes and make sure that we were not handing over the possession we were giving away too many field positions, and the Hunters to their credit were capitalizing on it,” Glen said.

Broncos Jason Demetriou said they adopted a different style of play in the second half that meant taking on the physical challenge head on.

“We spoke at halftime I don’t think we were respecting the Physicality and we were playing too lateral we needed to aim up and play more direct and not shy away from the physical battle.

“I felt when we did that, we took more control of the game, I had to commend the boys defense the best in a long time and that gives us confidence going into the season.

“The Huntres put us under a lot of pressure we had to fix a lot of things at half time we were under the pump and a credit to the Hunters,” Demetriou said.

SP PNG Hunters captain Stargroth Amean said the Hunters goal was to give a tough match but were left mediocre at times when they had six play the ball turn over’s.

“It was a physical game, we came in to give a strong challenge and compete and I think we did well, really proud of my teammate’s errors and play the ball that cost the game but all in all it was a good trial match,” Amean said.

SP PNG Hunters Assistant coach Nigel Hukula said they found out a great deal to work on playing with a club like the Broncos.

“We have come away learning from this game to see where we are and what we can work on in the coming weeks.

“Credit to the Broncos it is tough to come play in PNG we stuck to our processes first half but the Broncos came back in the second half with a good defensive effort.

“That’s where we found out that we needed to defend the ruck area and the simple play the ball cost us the game, the NRL is coming strong on the play the ball good to go down to the basics,” Hukula said