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Eels destroy Broncos to take fifth spotPosted Sun Sep 2, 2007 5:12pm AESTUpdated Sun Sep 2, 2007 7:51pm AEST The Parramatta Eels devastated the Brisbane Broncos 68-22 in their final round NRL clash at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday, claiming fifth spot on the ladder. The Eels will now face the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland on Friday night, while the Broncos finish the season in eighth spot and will travel to Melbourne to face the minor premiers next weekend. Parramatta played a phenomenal game, running in 13 tries to the Broncos' four. "We came out with one goal and that was just to complete our sets and I think we did that pretty well in that first half," Eels half-back Tim Smith told ABC Grandstand. "I think our forwards were our main thing for us - the outside backs get all the glory but I think you've got to look at those forwards, they've been doing it week in, week out for the last 25 games. "They're (Brisbane) a quality side and we knew we were going to be in for a tough one. "To our credit I think we stuck through the grind, we're just really happy to get those two points. "But we've got to go over to New Zealand next week, that's going to be a tough one." Parramatta winger Krisnan Inu put in a stellar performance, racking up 26 individual points, including three tries and seven conversions. Team-mates Timana Tahu, Jarryd Hayne, Ian Hindmarsh and Feleti Mateo also backed up with two tries apiece. The Eels surged to a 34-16 lead at half-time, despite some early shaky defence. The Broncos' Steve Michaels crossed in the left corner for the visitors in the ninth minute and moments later Justin Hodges ran out of dummy half to score under the black dot. Corey Parker went on to kick the conversion. Hodges was in the thick of it again only minutes later when he collected a grubber kick and made his way over again. Parker added the extra two, and it was suddenly 16-6 to the visitors after 17 minutes. But the Eels seemingly kicked themselves into gear, scoring the next five tries for the half and going on to dominate the rest of the game. Parramatta 68 (K Inu 3, I Hindmarsh 2, J Hayne 2, T Tahu 2, F Mateo 2, E Grothe, T Smith tries; K Inu 7, T Smith conversions) Brisbane 22 (S Michaels, J Hodges 2, B Thorn tries; C Parker 3 conversions). http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/02/2021723.htm 
Jarryd Hayne (L) and Tim Smith celebrate a Parramatta try in their drubbing of the Broncos. (Getty Images: Ezra Shaw) 
Brad Thorn of the Broncos is tackled by Nathan Hindmarsh of the Eels. (Getty Images: Ezra Shaw) |