Some Cody Walker wizardry and a herculean performance by Cameron Murray inspired South Sydney to a 46-0 thumping over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium as Payne Haas put his place in Origin II in jeopardy by being placed on report twice in the heavy defeat.
Broncos prop Haas risks being suspended for Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on June 27 after separate incidents that will be examined by the NRL match review committee on Friday morning.
Haas was put on report in the first half for a high shot on Murray but the bigger issue came in the second half when he was placed on report for a crusher on Mark Nicholls in the 62nd minute.
If Haas cops even a grade one dangerous neck contact charge he would be ruled out of Origin II with a two-week suspension.
Haas has been a lone ranger for the Broncos, carrying them every week to be their only consistent performer with another big night featuring 17 runs for 176 metres gained and 40 tackles.
There's no such issues at South Sydney as their Indigenous connection proved far too elusive with Walker's starring hand plus a tryscoring double to winger Alex Johnston and tries to Dane Gagai and Latrell Mitchell blowing the Broncos away.
Match: Broncos v Rabbitohs
Round 15 -
home Team
Broncos
15th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
In a timely performance that would fill NSW coach Brad Fittler with confidence if incumbent Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai is somehow unavailable for Origin II next week, Walker was at his cheeky best with three try assists in the eight tries to none rout.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said Walker was one of the classiest playmakers in the game with a unique ability to sense the moment.
"I've complimented him since I've been there but he is getting better each season," Bennett said.
"Last week he just threw three or four passes that resulted in tries for us that only really, really classy players can do.
"His passing options and running options are just unlimited for him. That pass he gave Latrell for the first try was just sublime.
Walker at his creative best to set up Mitchell
"He does make it look easy but if you watch him train he does it at training. He makes it look easy at training, he is just highly skilled. He has a great ability to sense the moment."
Centre Campbell Graham also bagged a double while fellow NSW squad members Cameron Murray (193m) and Keaon Koloamatangi (175m) had big nights that would please Fittler ahead of Sunday's selection meeting.
It was South Sydney's biggest win ever over the Broncos to move them equal top of the NRL ladder and plunge the Broncos into last spot having conceded a stunning 176 points in their past four losses, 242 points in the past six weeks.
Alex Johnston now has eight tries in his past three games to move top of the NRL tryscoring table with 17 for the season.
Walker ignited the Souths onslaught with one of the best passes you'll see this year, with an inside flick back to Mitchell in the 11th minute for the first try of the night.
From that moment on the Broncos were backpedalling as the Rabbitohs took an 18-0 half-time lead while playing in first gear, before clicking it up a bit in the second to run in a further five tries.
Bennett said the Rabbitohs had taken the lessons from their 50-0 loss to Melbourne five weeks ago and 56-12 defeat to Penrith three weeks ago and after a week off would be ready to build towards the finals.
"I think it was more of a reality check, we want to get better some things we do and we are working on that," Bennett said.
"But yeah it was a reality check and taught us some good lessons. We've got another 10 weeks in front of us now to get our game really tuned up and give ourselves a chance at beating the big teams."
The Broncos lost three players to failed HIAs with Jesse Arthars (17th minute), Selwyn Cobbo (23rd) and John Asiata (62nd) all ruled out for the rest of the game, allowing Brisbane to activate their 18th man Keenan Palasia.
Asiata was taken from the field via a medicab after a head clash with Nicholls midway through the second half, with the Broncos showing concern for his neck after previous issues with it earlier in the season.
Johnston the beneficiary of some sharp execution upfield
The injuries forced Alex Glenn to defend at right centre, five-eighth Karmichael Hunt to switch sides of the field to defend at left centre, bench hooker Cory Paix to five-eighth and centre Herbie Farnworth to the left wing.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters had started the season promising to rebuild the club and improve their defence, but their season is sinking fast and the rookie NRL coach is now under extreme pressure to stop the rut.
