The Brisbane Broncos rested a substantial number of regular first-grade players for their game against the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night, with the ensuing loss putting their chances of securing an NRL minor premiership at risk.
On Triple M NRL’s The Saturday Scrum, Brent Read and Ben Te’o debated the merit of the Minor Premiership following the Broncos’ decision to rest their players.
Read said the Broncos’ decision to rest their players, and subsequently fielding a weaker side, was a ‘missed opportunity’ not only to overcome a now 14-game losing streak against the Storm, but also to lock in top spot on the ladder.
“I think winning the minor premiership means something,” he said.
“Not financially, and it doesn’t particularly help you win a Grand Final, but I think it means something, particularly for a side that hasn’t won a lot for a long time.”
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On the other hand, Te’o called back to his playing days, stating that the minor premiership wasn’t seen to be as important as ensuring the team was fit and firing for finals.
“I think Brisbane did the right thing by resting those guys, and I don’t think the result means too much,” he said.
“You talk about the minor premiership, [but] when I was a player, I don’t think anyone cared about it.
“Not many teams win the comp from first, you just need a lot of luck, you need some good form going in, and you need healthy bodies.
“I think they’ve done a good job, the Broncos, and they’ll be humming.”
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