League greats have pumped the brakes on the Brisbane Broncos hype train, saying the current squad is still well off the legendary premiership-winning teams of the 1990s.
The Broncos have been the NRL’s best team through five rounds, having won all five games and boasting a points differential of +75 in the sensational start.
However, league Immortal Andrew Johns said the team which won back-to-back premierships in 1992 and 1993 under Wayne Bennett would “beat this team by 30”.
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Johns’ view was echoed by Brad Fittler, who suggested the 1998 premiership-winning team would also handle the current squad with relative ease.
“They’re as talented as anyone, but they do go through moments in games where they look vulnerable,” he told Nine’s Freddy and the Eighth.
“It just shows that they’re young, they’re still very young. Ezra Mam, he’s still 20, (Selwyn) Cobbo’s young, there’s a lot of young players in and amongst that team.
“They should get better. They lose a couple next year. These days you’ve got to make hay while the sun shines or you just get pulled apart.”
Fittler added that the Broncos had been the beneficiaries of a clean bill of health to start the season.
NRL legends not convinced by Broncos hype: Freddy & The Eighth – Ep 07
“No one’s injured either,” he said.
“That’s what happens when you’re going good, everyone’s working together, no one gets injured, you’re relaxed and happy.”
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Johns also suggested that the real “test” for Kevin Walters’ side would come during the Origin period, where up to six players are likely to be selected for either Queensland or New South Wales’ squads.
Walters’ side will host the Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night hoping to make it a perfect six-from-six this season.
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