Kotoni Staggs celebrates his stunning try in style. Photo / Fox Sports
Kotoni Staggs celebrates his stunning try in style. Photo / Fox Sports
In a season of utter misery for the Brisbane Broncos, there has arguably been one giant shining light with Kotoni Staggs cementing himself as one of the most exciting players at the club.
A player who would not look out of place in a NSW Blues jersey, Staggs once again showed why he is one of the hottest young talents in the game with an incredible run early in the second half of the Broncos clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
After a horror start where the Broncos conceded two incredibly soft early tries, Brisbane showed some character to fight back into the match.
Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane called it a 'diabolical start' but once the Broncos got into the game, they actually started to look alright, earning repeat sets and scoring through Richard Kennar.
"I had to ask if this was live?" Johnathan Thurston said on Channel 9.
"This a halftime break, normally you're looking to get your breath and just make sure everyone's calm and ready for the second half. I couldn't believe the scenes I just saw.
Vautin added: "Never seen that anywhere in rugby league in 50 years".
"Never seen that ANYWHERE in Rugby League in 50 years!" π²π²
But it appeared to pay off as Staggs scored an incredible 75m try just three minutes into the second half.
After shifting wide to Staggs, the centre monstered his opposite number Euan Aitken with a brutal fend.
He then shrugged off Adam Clune before a dummy sent Dragons fullback Matt Dufty going the wrong way as Staggs scored an incredible try.
Kotoni Staggs celebrates his stunning try in style. Photo / Fox Sports
Incredibly, Staggs is the Broncos leading try scorer with eight tries despite having only played nine games this season.
Vautin said: "That's brilliant from Kotoni Staggs. That's an 80m job, he did it all on his own. Take a bow Kotoni."
Ginnane agreed.
"This is remarkable, Kotoni Staggs, he does it on his own, sensational Staggs. There are few players in the game who could come up with a try like that. What a player Kotoni Staggs."
Post-game, Braith Anasta was still raving about the try.
"He's a freak," he said. "I love watching him play. He'll be a superstar his whole career, he'll play every level. And they've got to get him the ball more."
Unfortunately for the Broncos, the momentum shifted once again with the Dragons opening an eight-point lead, before Brisbane scored through Tom Dearden to make it 26-24 with 10 minutes remaining.
The Broncos couldn't get closer however with a penalty goal after the siren giving the Dragons the 28-24 lead.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Warriors have confirmed the signing of St George Illawarra Dragons centre Euan Aitken to the club on a three-year deal.
The 25-year-old Scotland international's acquisition further boosts the club's 2021 roster following last week's signing of powerhouse Parramatta prop Kane Evans.
Aitken has played all of his 117 first grade games for the Dragons and leads all centres so far this season for metres gained and post-contact metres.
"Euan was a State of Origin squad player two years ago and he's back in that form at the moment. I can see his game going from strength to strength as he hits his prime age and experience levels," said Warriors recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan.
"His ability to break the line with power and speed are what he'll bring to us and he's a robust player with big upside."
It's true. Euan will be a Vodafone Warrior in 2021 ππ
