Broncos lose prop but pile 60 points on injury-ravaged Rabbitohs

Brisbane have kept their top-four hopes alive with a 60-14 whipping of South Sydney, but suffered a huge blow with prop Xavier Willison suffering a suspected broken arm.

Recalled winger Selwyn Cobbo was brilliant and fullback Reece Walsh had four try assists and a try in a powerful riposte to his poor display against Parramatta the previous week.

The error-ridden Rabbitohs remain in last place and their ninth loss in a row is now Wayne Bennett’s worst losing streak in his 38 years as coach in the premiership.

The loss of Willison in the 48th minute, likely for the season, is a concern in the run to the finals with fellow prop Ben Te Kura (broken foot) also out of action.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire said before the match that he wanted Walsh to pick his moments and chime in at the right time rather than overplaying his hand.

Walsh took the advice on board to set up two tries in the first half as Brisbane took an 18-8 lead into the break.

Cobbo had several nice touches and raced 53m to score straight after half-time. Fellow winger Deine Mariner, also brought back into the side, was at his dazzling best with a double.

Ezra Mam and Kotoni Staggs both scored twice as the Broncos romped home.

Brisbane, on 28 points, are now just two points behind the fourth-placed Warriors and travel to Melbourne on Thursday night.

The hosts lost forwards Payne Haas (skin infection) and Brendan Piakura (concussion) in the 24 hours before kick-off but had too much class for the hapless Rabbitohs.

Broncos captain Adam Reynolds became the second player in premiership history to score 2500 points and now is only behind Cameron Smith (2786 points).

Walsh and Mam interchanged passes in a slick long-range try for the latter to open the scoring.

Reynolds then conjured a trademark try for Jack Gosiewski with a deft grubber.

Rabbitohs five-eighth Lewis Dodd set up a try with a neat cross-field bomb for winger Bayleigh Bentley-Hape to score.

Walsh found the perfect pass for Kotoni Staggs to surge over but Souths spun it as the halftime siren sounded for centre Tallis Duncan to score.

The hosts ran away with it in the second half in a total demolition.

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After a relatively tight first half, the Broncos really showed the gap in class between the teams in that second half. The loss of Xavier Willison to a suspected broken arm hurts for Brisbane, but the sight of Adam Reynolds kicking 10 goals in the maroon jersey probably hurts almost as much for South Sydney fans.

The Rabbitohs are missing tons of talent through injury, and young half Ashton Ward had a lot of bright signs in his first run as an NRL halfback, but they nevertheless are in a tough battle to escape the wooden spoon this season.

They’ve got three winnable games coming up against the Titans, Eels and Dragons before a round 26 bye and a final-round date with rivals the Roosters.

Full-time: Broncos win 60-14

Reece Walsh pulls of a chip and chase and finds Ezra Mam as the Broncos go on the attack again, and a bit of a hail mary pass from Patrick Carrigan finds the hands of Walsh who goes over for the home side’s 10th try of the night.

Adam Reynolds has converted all of them, and the last is the easiest from right in front.

Broncos 60, Rabbitohs 14 with a minute left

Far too easy that for Ezra Mam, who runs from dummy half, just inside South Sydney’s half, and simply keeps on running. He’s too quick and elusive for this exhausted Rabbitohs defence and he crosses for his second of the night as the Broncos go past 50 points. Adam Reynolds has 18 of those points himself via nine conversions.

Broncos lead 54-8 with 12 minutes left

More pleasure and pain for the Broncos as South Sydney turn the ball over when Alex Johnston spills a bomb (he’s fine after that injury scare) and bench forward Ben Talty crashes over for another Brisbane try, while news comes in that prop Xavier Willison has a suspected broken arm.

And now the Rabbitohs defence has opened up again, Adam Reynolds, Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs combining again to create just enough space for Deine Mariner to score again in the right corner.

Reynolds’ flawless night with the boot continues, with another sideline conversion.

Broncos 42, Rabbitohs 8 after 59 minutes

More injury news now, with Broncos prop Xavier Willison going off with an arm injury while veteran Souths winger Alex Johnston is also down and getting seen to by a trainer.

Brisbane are already without superstar prop Payne Haas tonight while half the Rabbitohs squad is seemingly injured (or suspended) at the moment.

And now the Broncos are in again, Reece Walsh floating a terrific cutout pass to Deine Mariner who scores out wide on the right. Adam Reynolds is having a perfect night from the tee and converts another one.

Broncos 30, Rabbitohs 8 after 50 minutes