Kotoni Staggs suffers injury but Broncos win pre-season competition to score $100,000
The Brisbane Broncos suffered an injury scare in their trial against the Canterbury Bulldogs when Kotoni Staggs left the field earlier than expected.
But the Broncos are now $100,000 richer after winning the NRL’s pre-season competition, which the Brisbane club conquered for the second year in a row.
Staggs departed Dolphin Stadium 16 minutes into the first half and Fox League reported it was due to a quadriceps issue.
The centre was ruled out for the match in a move described as “precautionary” by Fox League’s Jake Duke.
Cooper Cronk believes Broncos coach Michael Maguire should be capable of dealing with any issue considering the back-up options.
“It’s one area where the Broncos do have some depth. [Deine] Mariner comes in for Kotoni Staggs; he’s had some flashes of brilliance in the early stages of his career,” Cronk said on Fox League.
The trial match between the Broncos and Bulldogs started in a stalemate with no one breaking the deadlock inside the first 20 minutes.
However, the Broncos finally clicked into gear when Adam Reynolds scored in the 22nd minute.
Tries to Jesse Arthars and Jock Madden followed with Brisbane leading 14-0 at half-time.
Brisbane came out of the sheds with a similar attitude as Delouise Hoeter extended the lead with a four-pointer.
The Bulldogs weren’t out of the match, though, putting on three unanswered tries through Jacob Preston, Ratu Rinakama and Blake Wilson to make it 18-14.
But Brisbane finished the match strong with Mariner and Benjamin Te Kura scoring to win the match 30-14.
