NRL LIVE updates: Taukeiaho injured as Sea Eagles extend lead over Broncos

Brisbane now have 15 errors tonight and their completion rate has fallen below 60 per cent – in this year’s NRL when possession matters more than ever, you can’t win with those numbers.

But they produce some nice play in attack now, Ezra Mam grabbing a loose ball and taking off down the left, then Reece Walsh kicking ahead and Ben Hunt chasing to force a goal-line dropout.

But the dropout from Luke Brooks goes straight into the arms of Brisbane winger Josiah Karapani – who drops it. It’s been that kind of night.

Sea Eagles 26, Broncos 4 with seven minutes left

The errors are starting to stack up now – Brisbane’s Aublix Tawha, then Taniela Paseka for Manly, then Tawha is penalised for a lifting tackle, then Jason Saab spills yet another bomb from Joey Walsh.

Brisbane haven’t had a tackle inside Manly’s 20 metres in the second half and don’t really look like closing the gap at this stage, and their scrappiness in attack reflects how many players they’re missing through injury tonight.

And then – bang. The Sea Eagles conjure a genuine highlight.

Tawha pops an offload to Reece Walsh, who drops it, Brandon Wakeham grabs it for Manly and puts up an audacious chip kick inside his own 30 metres. Lightning quick Tolu Koula – who has switched back from fullback to left centre tonight – scoops up the ball and runs clear, scoring in the left corner.

Reuben Garrick misses a conversion at last but this contest is pretty much over.

Sea Eagles 26, Broncos 4 with 20 minutes left

Give the Sea Eagles credit, they’re sticking to the game plan, and Joey Walsh bombs yet again in Jason Saab’s direction. The towering winger bats the ball back to Haumole Olakau’atu, who charges towards the tryline, Brisbane defenders hanging of him. Finally Olakau’atu offloads as he’s brought to ground just short, but the ball pops into the hands of a Bronco and they’re off the hook.

Sea Eagles 22, Broncos 4 with 27 minutes left

An ambulance has been called for Siosiua Taukeiaho who has suffered a serious lower leg injury, the veteran forward cheered by the crowd as he’s stretchered from the field. It’s a sombre moment for the 34-year-old former Roosters, New Zealand and Tonga forward.

Meanwhile Reuben Garrick knocks over the conversion and Taukeiaho’s try has his team well in control.

Sea Eagles 22, Broncos 4 with 33 minutes left

Manly have the first attacking raid of the second half, Joey Walsh bombing for Jason Saab, who takes it but is wrapped up by swarming Broncos defenders and can’t get an offload away.

Strangely, that was only the fourth tackle, so Manly send it wide to the left on the last and they almost score but Jesse Arthars gets his hand to a pass and halts the play.

But from the resulting scrum the Sea Eagles crack them this time, Siosiua Taukeiaho dragging a couple of defenders over the line beside the posts. He’s injured himself doing it, with a trainer checking on his lower leg and the stretcher coming onto the field following the try. The conversion is still to come.

Sea Eagles 20, Broncos 4

The teams are back out there for the second half, Manly enjoying a 12-point lead after dominating that first 40 minutes.

But with the Broncos making a habit of big second-half fightbacks in the past couple of years, don’t write off Reece Walsh and co just yet.

The visitors do have an advantage in these first couple of minutes with Brandon Wakeham still in the sin bin for Manly.

Sea Eagles 16, Broncos 4 with 39 minutes left

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has implored his side to “harden up” and says he is “sick of waiting” for them to click into gear after tonight’s dismal defeat to South Sydney.

Alex Johnston’s hat-trick was the headline act in a thumping 36-12 South Sydney win over Cronulla on Saturday night, but the understated star of the evening was another Rabbitohs centre named Latrell stepping up on debut in his namesake’s absence.

“I thought we had a Shark-like performance last week, but not tonight,” Fitzgibbon said. “It looked more important to them and not important enough to us. I didn’t think we were hard enough tonight.

“I’m getting a bit sick of waiting for it to be honest. It’s up to us. I still believe we have a good side … but we’re not displaying it regularly. The only way out for us is through. We’ve got to harden up and do the simple things better.”