Andrew Johns has accused Brisbane’s players of not caring whether they win after one humiliating try exposed their complete defensive collapse against the Warriors.
The rugby league Immortal delivered a brutal assessment of the reigning premiers after Chanel Harris-Tavita sliced through at least five Broncos defenders during New Zealand’s 40-6 victory at Suncorp Stadium.
Harris-Tavita used a combination of footwork and acceleration to score the Warriors’ second try, but Brisbane’s lack of urgency attracted more attention than the playmaker’s individual brilliance.
“The Chanel Harris-Tavita try was absolutely disgusting,” Johns said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“The way they didn’t tie in on the inside, it was horrible. That showed that they don’t care.
“They couldn’t care less. They don’t care if they win or lose at the moment.”
Johns Questions Whether Broncos Players Care
Johns’ extraordinary criticism was reported by news.com.au in its coverage of Brisbane’s defensive collapse.
The comments were directed at Brisbane’s defensive effort rather than any one player, although five-eighth Ezra Mam endured another difficult night and finished with seven missed tackles.
Mam was also exposed when Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad beat him with a relatively simple dummy during another attacking movement.
Brisbane’s problems extended far beyond its five-eighth.
Harris-Tavita encountered several defenders on his way to the try line, but the Broncos failed to remain connected on the inside or produce the desperation expected from a team representing one of the NRL’s biggest clubs.
The performance supported Johns’ broader concern that Brisbane’s players had mentally checked out after being eliminated from finals contention.
Carrigan Admits Brisbane Lacked Desire
Stand-in captain Patrick Carrigan offered a similarly damning explanation following the defeat.
“Just a lack of desire and intent to do your job,” Carrigan said.
“It’s not good enough from us as players. We just got out-competed tonight, which was disappointing.”
That admission carries enormous significance.
Poor execution can be corrected. Tactical mistakes can be reviewed. Injuries can explain combinations breaking down.
A lack of desire is far more difficult to excuse, particularly for a team defending a premiership and playing in front of 38,916 supporters at Suncorp Stadium.
The Warriors scored seven tries and established a 20-0 halftime lead before completing a victory that strengthened their position inside the top four.
Brisbane, meanwhile, fell to a 6-15 record after suffering its 12th defeat across 13 matches.
The Broncos have now lost eight consecutive games at Suncorp Stadium and recorded 15 defeats this season, the most by a defending premier in Australian rugby league history.
Maguire Finally Loses Patience
Michael Maguire had repeatedly defended his players during Brisbane’s collapse, maintaining that their effort remained strong despite the worsening results.
That defence disappeared after the Warriors humiliation.
“Not good enough, just plain and simple,” Maguire said.
“We won’t want to do that next weekend because we’ll cop the same. It was really disappointing, that one. We’re not playing the style that we know we’ve practised.”
Maguire then interrupted a question asking Carrigan whether the Broncos were struggling for motivation because their finals hopes had ended.
“I reckon that’s garbage,” Maguire said.
“We’re playing the team next week that’s in the same boat. We’re playing for the Broncos.
“It’s easy to motivate people when you’re playing for the Broncos. They’re playing for a very good club.”
The coach continued his criticism before reportedly storming out once the press conference ended.
“The boys are playing for the Broncos jersey that they wear,” Maguire said.
“That is not good enough. I normally keep calm at these things. We need to have a good hard look at ourselves.”
Reece Walsh’s Season Is Over
Brisbane’s disastrous evening also resulted in a season-ending injury to Reece Walsh.
The Broncos confirmed scans revealed a high-grade syndesmosis injury suffered during a tackle by Nicoll-Klokstad, who was sin-binned and subsequently charged by the match review committee.
Walsh was scheduled to meet a surgeon on Monday, with surgery expected and the club estimating a recovery period of up to eight weeks.
That timeline rules the fullback out of Brisbane’s remaining NRL matches and places his Rugby League World Cup availability in serious doubt.
Australia is scheduled to begin its World Cup campaign against New Zealand on October 15. Even if Walsh recovers in time, he would enter the tournament without playing a match for approximately two months.
When initially asked about Walsh’s injury after the defeat, Maguire refused to use it as a distraction.
“I’m more concerned about our performance,” he said.
This Is Bigger Than One Terrible Try
Harris-Tavita’s try provided the clearest image of Brisbane’s decline, but the Broncos’ problems have developed across the entire season.
The club has gone from winning the 2025 premiership to fighting to avoid the wooden spoon.
Adam Reynolds is approaching retirement and currently sidelined with a calf injury. Payne Haas will leave for South Sydney in 2027, while injuries and inconsistent performances have repeatedly disrupted Maguire’s team.
Those issues provide context, but they do not excuse the absence of defensive commitment Johns identified.
Brisbane still fielded numerous representative players against the Warriors. Carrigan, Mam, Haas and Kotoni Staggs were among the established stars expected to set the team’s standards.
Instead, the Broncos were physically dominated and repeatedly disconnected in defence.
The most alarming aspect is that Johns, Carrigan and Maguire all arrived at essentially the same conclusion.
Johns said the players did not care.
Carrigan admitted they lacked desire.
Maguire declared their effort unacceptable.
Brisbane has three matches remaining to prove those assessments wrong. If the players cannot respond after being publicly challenged by their coach, captain and one of rugby league’s greatest figures, the Broncos’ title defence could end with the most embarrassing collapse in the club’s history.
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