Hasler wary of Broncos

MANLY coach Des Hasler has warned his players that the Brisbane Broncos will have a point to prove tonight after their worst start to a season defensively.
Fresh off last week’s 0-59 loss to the Sydney Roosters, the Broncos will travel to New South Wales for the first time this year with 132 points already conceded in their opening four games.
It marks Brisbane’s leakiest start to a year, and the first time in a decade the club have been ranked last for defence in the competition.
And it shapes as a big problem against a Manly side who have turned on the points under the NRL’s new ruck rules.
The Broncos have conceded a competition-worst 17 tries on their left and right edges, where Manly have scored all their tries with fullback Tom Trbojevic regularly lurking on both sides.
It has prompted the axing of Jamil Hopoate and Ethan Bullemor, with Anthony Seibold now having to rely on untested combinations.
Joe Ofahengaue will start in the second row for the first time in his career, while Corey Oates will start in the forwards for the first time since 2014.
Ben Te’o is also expected to play limited minutes in the second row off the bench.
“We play a team that has had the blowtorch put to them,” Hasler said.
“I think it’s going to be their mentality that is going to be the biggest challenge for both sides.
“That will be the biggest part of it. They have changed a few positions around to try and work with it.”
Meanwhile, Hasler is insistent his Sea Eagles have moved on from last week’s 16-19 loss after being wrongly denied a winning try in the last minute against Parramatta.
He avoided buying into any argument on whether forward passes should be ruled on by the bunker, leaving it as a matter for the NRL.
But he does believe his side are developing the steely resistance required to make an impact after fighting back from 2-18 down against the Eels.
“There are traits that you want to see in a side,” he said.
“Resilience is not something you get in a box as a gift and the next day you open it and play with it.
“That’s something in a make-up of an individual and team. It’s something that takes months and months of dedication.
“You can see how they got a taste of (finals footy) last year.
“If they want to do that, they have to develop those traits the great sides have.” – AAP