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David Fifita has trampled North Queensland's big night at their new Townsville home, leading Brisbane to an emphatic 28-21 NRL opening-round win.
Key points:
- The Canberra Raiders beat Gold Coast Titans 24-6 in Canberra
- The Brisbane Broncos beat the North Queensland Cowboys 28-21 in Townsville
- Supporters were allowed into both stadiums
The 20-year-old defied his 113kg frame to skip through a Coen Hess tackle, sprint 70 metres and leave Valentine Holmes clutching at air for a sensational solo try.
His stunning 57th-minute effort broke open the contest, before the Cowboys scored two late tries and had another disallowed to ensure another tight Queensland derby in front of 22,459 fans.
Those supporters were relieved to even be there after the Government's coronavirus advice allowed the gates to stay open for the first game at Townsville stadium.
But the hosts could not deliver against a depleted Brisbane outfit, the win coming for the visitors despite Wednesday's season-ending knee injury to Jack Bird and the unavailability of Alex Glenn (hamstring), Matt Lodge (knee) and Joe Ofahengaue (stood down).
Jamayne Isaako was terrific in Bird's absence while Jake Turpin was a threat and Payne Haas cancelled out Jason Taumalolo's best efforts as the Broncos bust 45 tackles to the host's 20.
Isaako scored himself to blow out the lead, before tries to Gavin Cooper and Ben Hampton got the Cowboys within seven points in the final five minutes.
Mitch Dunn's desperate effort was overruled with a minute on the clock to ensure Brisbane a fifth win from their last six clashes with their Queensland rivals.
Earlier, Turpin had dummied and walked over for the game's first try after the markers both rushed off the line, before Holmes scored his first in Cowboys colours.
Back in rugby league after a season chasing an NFL contract in the United States, the former Cronulla star dropped the ball twice inside the first 15 minutes before crossing in the left corner in what was a mixed return.
Canberra Raiders beat Gold Coast Titans
Jack Wighton has helped Canberra start 2020 the same way they finished the last NRL season, setting up a thumping 24-6 home win over Gold Coast.
The five-eighth burst out of the blocks at Canberra stadium, scoring two tries in the opening 13 minutes in front of a crowd of 10,610 people who defied the coronavirus threat.
While the Raiders are looking to go one better than their grand final defeat, the Titans are desperate to climb off the bottom of the NRL under new coach Justin Holbrook.
In a disappointing first half, they trailed 18-0 at halftime with a 5-1 penalty count and 24 missed tackles not helping their cause.
But the Titans at least rallied in the second half to make a contest of it, showing their pace out wide.
The hard-running Wighton exposed some flimsy Titans' defence, running through halfback Ash Taylor, who appeared to be carrying a shoulder injury, on both occasions.
Canberra interchange forward Emre Guler crashed over for his first NRL try in the 29th minute to extend the margin.
The Raiders almost had at least one more try when their new number seven, Englishman George Williams, ignored men outside as he tried to score himself.
Taylor made amends when he helped set up a 44th minute try, getting a neat ball away to winger Anthony Don, who made his way through plenty of traffic to score.
The Titans' surge stalled in the 65th minute when Raiders second-rower Elliott Whitehead ran on to a Guler pass for the match-winning 24-6 lead.
Despite the win, the Raiders have concerns after losing fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and co-captain Jarrod Croker to head knocks while Joseph Tapine has been put on report for a shoulder charge.
Excting Titans reserve back Brian Kelly was also a late casualty after suffering concussion.
AAP
Topics: sport, rugby-league, nrl, australia, act, canberra-2600, robina-4226, qld, townsville-4810, brisbane-4000
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