Shibasaki’s Late Show Seals Derby Honours for Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane’s gritty journeyman, Gehamat Shibasaki, has etched his name into the latest chapter of the fierce NRL derby, scoring the match-sealing try in a commanding 26-12 victory over the Dolphins. The win, a crucial one for the Broncos, extends their impressive record against their rivals to six wins from seven encounters.
Shibasaki, a Queensland and Australia representative, found himself on the interchange bench following a Round 2 loss to Parramatta and was an unused substitute in the previous week’s clash with Melbourne. However, fate intervened in the first half against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. With winger Grant Anderson forced from the field with a suspected medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury, the 27-year-old was called into the fray.
He didn’t just fill a gap; Shibasaki delivered a performance of staunch defence and relentless effort. His defining moment arrived in the 72nd minute. As a bomb from Broncos fullback Reece Walsh sailed through the air, the Dolphins defence faltered, allowing it to bounce. Shibasaki, demonstrating exceptional desperation and awareness, swooped on the loose ball to cross the try line, effectively putting the game beyond doubt.
The Broncos’ victory was underpinned by a series of stellar individual performances. Captain Adam Reynolds, making a triumphant return from a rib injury, orchestrated the game with his exceptional kicking prowess, his boot proving a constant menace to the Dolphins. Centre Kotoni Staggs was another standout, bagging a brace of tries and delivering another impactful performance against their cross-town rivals.
The Broncos navigated a challenging week, marked by the unexpected resignation of defensive coach Ben Te’o. Despite this disruption, the team showcased remarkable defensive resilience, successfully repelling numerous attacking surges from the Dolphins.
“The boys had to dig pretty deep because they were coming hard and fast,” commented Broncos coach Michael Maguire after the match. “But I know what’s inside the group. I was happy with the resilience.”
The halftime scoreline of 10-6 in favour of the Broncos reflected a first half characterised by an end-to-end, expansive style of rugby league. Both teams had their chances, with the play flowing from one end of the field to the other.
Staggs, who now boasts an impressive six tries in his last seven outings against the Dolphins, opened the scoring. His try was a testament to the skill and vision of five-eighth Ezra Mam, who delivered a perfectly weighted grubber kick for Staggs to ground.
The Dolphins, however, were not without their opportunities. They had two tries disallowed in the first half. Five-eighth Kodi Nikorima was denied due to an obstruction call, while second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki’s effort was chalked off for a forward pass, much to their frustration.
“It was a tough game,” acknowledged Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf. “When we got our opportunities, we didn’t nail them.”
The intensity of the derby threatened to boil over at one point when Dolphins co-captain Tom Gilbert was penalised for a late tackle on Walsh. Broncos lock Pat Carrigan was quick to voice his displeasure, taking exception to the contact.
The resulting penalty proved costly for the Dolphins. From the penalty, Reynolds turned on a masterclass of playmaking. He deceived the Dolphins defence with a cunning short grubber kick, which he then regathered himself before darting over to score.
The Dolphins responded swiftly. Fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow showcased his playmaking ability with a sublime cutout pass that found winger Jamayne Isaako. Isaako, demonstrating his own skill, converted his try from the sideline, keeping the Dolphins within striking distance.
The second half began with a bang for the Broncos. A moment of brilliance from prop Ben Talty, who executed an incredible reverse flick pass on the last tackle, sent Walsh over for a try shortly after the restart.
Reynolds played a pivotal role in the lead-up to this try as well. His inventive grubber kick trapped the Dolphins in their own in-goal area, forcing them to defend deep within their territory.
The Broncos’ defence then held firm, repelling several determined attacking raids from the Dolphins. The momentum seemed to swing back in the Dolphins’ favour when Mam, in a moment of uncharacteristic inaccuracy, delivered a wayward pass intended for Walsh. The ball went behind the fullback, presenting an unexpected try-scoring opportunity for Dolphins centre Jake Averillo, which he duly accepted.
Throughout the contest, the work rate and commitment of the Broncos forwards were evident. Second-rower Jordan Riki’s kick-chase and ability to clean up loose balls were particularly noteworthy. On the other side of the ledger, the dynamic running of Dolphins counterpart Finefeuiaki was a constant threat.
Ultimately, the Battle Medal for man of the match was awarded to Broncos lock Pat Carrigan, a deserved recognition for his tireless efforts and leadership in a hard-fought derby victory.
