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Reigning NRL premiers lose opener to Broncos

James Roberts (R) is congratulated by Ben Hunt (L) and Anthony Milford after scoring a try against the Sharks.

James Roberts (R) is congratulated by Ben Hunt (L) and Anthony Milford after scoring a try against the Sharks. Photo: AAP

Cronulla’s premiership defence is off to a losing start, with the Sharks downed by a slick Brisbane 26-18 in Thursday night’s opening game of the NRL season.

The Broncos appeared headed for a cruisy victory after captain Darius Boyd set up two of his side’s three tries on the way to building a 20-6 lead early in the second half.

But back-to-back Sharks tries brought the Southern Cross Group Stadium crowd of 11,493 to life, before they were silenced again by a moment of Anthony Milford magic late in the game.

The Broncos’ five-eighth received the ball off a switch of play in the 70th minute, stepped sharply off both feet and then powered his way through for the game-sealing try.

The reigning premiers showed their intent to defend their title from the kickoff, forcing Broncos prop Adam Blair back into his in-goal on the first hit-up of the match.

It was a ferocious start from the hosts, but the visitors steadied when Jordan Kahu beat two defenders for the opening try in the fifth minute.

Stand-in Sharks fullback Gerard Beale replied not long after, only for James Roberts to show his speed in racing to a Milford grubber to give Brisbane the halftime lead.

Boyd assisted for Corey Oates soon after the resumption, before Cronulla made a game of it through tries to James Maloney and Ricky Leutele in the space of 10 minutes.

But Milford’s effort gave them the breathing space they needed to topple a Sharks side, missing departed grand final heroes Michael Ennis and Ben Barba, as well as injured Valentine Holmes.

Boyd was arguably the Broncos’ best, but was aided by strong performances from his starting forwards, all of whom carried the ball for more than 100 metres.

Broncos forward Alex Glenn failed to finish the night after a first-half concussion.

-AAP

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