Broncos outclass Cowboys with second-half surge

The Brisbane Broncos have made it two wins from three to start the 2025 NRL season, overcoming a spirited North Queensland side 26-16 in a fiery Queensland Derby at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Led by a vintage performance from skipper Adam Reynolds and another powerhouse display from Payne Haas, the Broncos withstood an early onslaught from the Cowboys before pulling away late to seal the result in front of a fired-up Brisbane crowd.

Reynolds had his fingerprints all over the contest, finishing with 14 points courtesy of a try, five conversions, and a crucial try assist.

Haas, meanwhile, was nearly unstoppable through the middle, busting ten tackles and crashing over for a try of his own in a performance that further cements his place among the game’s elite.

Despite entering as heavy favourites with top sports bookmakers, the Broncos were on the back foot early. North Queensland dominated possession through the opening exchanges and looked a vastly improved side from the one that had leaked 78 points across their first two rounds.

• 

  Fast Payouts

But the Brisbane Broncos held firm and struck twice before halftime to take a 12-0 lead into the sheds.

The North Queensland Cowboys hit back almost immediately after the break, capitalising on a Brisbane error to score in the opening minute of the second half.

When Murray Taulagi crossed in the 53rd minute to level the scores at 12-all, the momentum looked to be swinging.

But it was then that the Broncos’ class shone through.

Despite a mixed night for fullback Reece Walsh — who finished with five errors — the Origin star delivered when it counted, firing a perfect cut-out pass to Jesse Arthars to regain the lead for Brisbane.

Moments later, Haas stepped up with a barnstorming solo effort, brushing off multiple defenders to score the match-sealing try and send the home fans into raptures.

While North Queensland remain winless after three rounds, there were positives to take from the performance.

Defensively, they were much improved and matched Brisbane’s physicality for long stretches of the match. But the quality and composure of the Broncos in key moments proved the difference.

Sports news