It was an unhappy weekend for Storm’s two Hostplus Cup affiliates, Brisbane Tigers and Sunshine Coast Falcons, who both slipped to losses in the QRL’s Country Round.
The Falcons travelled to the town of Monto in Central Queensland and gave up a 10-6 second-half lead to go down 16-10 against the Capras, who jumped into second position on the ladder.
Playing without any Storm contracted players for the first time this year, the Coast’s only two tries came in the first half.
Meanwhile, the Tigers fell to 10th on the table after being overrun 32-24 by the PNG Hunters in the western Queensland town of Cunnamulla.
The Tigers looked to be in charge when they scored four tries in the first half to lead 18-6.
However, the 12th-placed Hunters responded with four of their own after halftime and weren’t headed after hitting the front with half an hour remaining.
The Falcons will get their chance against the Hunters in round 17 of the competition this weekend, while the Tigers have a must-win clash against the Ipswich Jets.
Brisbane may be without Storm back-rower Bronson Garlick who suffered a low-grade hamstring strain against PNG but completed the full 80 minutes.
Storm player stats
Jayden Nikorima – 80 minutes – 7 runs for 69 metres, 1 linebreak, 2 try assists, 6 tackle breaks, 2 offloads, 28 tackles
Bronson Garlick – 80 minutes – 9 runs for 87 metres, 36 post-contact metres, 29 tackles
Jonah Pezet – 41 minutes – 4 runs for 11 metres, 1 offload
