Check out what happened in round 2 of the National Rugby League competition.
Round 2
Review
Embed from Getty ImagesFive teams are undefeated at the end of round 2.
While Melbourne’s two bye points kept them in first place (4 points, +38), Canberra (4, +32), Canterbury-Bankstown (4, +24), Newcastle (4, + 16), and South Sydney (4, +3) all advanced to 2-0. Brisbane (2, +26), Wests Tigers (2, +24), and Cronulla-Sutherland (2, +18) rounded out the top eight.
The Raiders upset Brisbane at GIO Stadium, with a double to English debutant Matty Nicholson setting up their 16-10 half-time lead. While Jesse Arthars completed a hat-trick for the Broncos, the Raiders had the game in hand, leading 32-10 after 60 minutes.
Newcastle opened the round with a win over The Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium. James Schiller scored his first two tries in Knights colours as Newcastle led 20-6 at half-time.
Canterbury had a winning return to Belmore, beating the Gold Coast, but it was overshadowed by possible MCL injuries to Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau. The Bulldogs led 22-0 after 21 minutes and looked like passing their 32-0 win over the Titans at Belmore last year. But Burton’s injury in the 27th minute shifted the momentum, with Alofiana Khan-Pereira scoring two tries to cut the margin to 22-12 at half-time. The Bulldogs shot out to a 34-12 lead early in the second half, but again the Titans cut the margin to 10 before Connor Tracey sealed the win with three minutes left.
Souths had an incredible comeback win over St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium. The Dragons led 24-12 after 51 minutes (doubles to Tyrell Sloan and Kyle Flanagan) before Cody Walker and Sean Keppie tied the scores with eight minutes left. Jamie Humphreys (who also kicked four goals from four) hit the match-winning field goal three minutes left.
There were two upsets on Friday night: first the NZ Warriors beat Manly Warringah at Go Media Stadium Auckland (Luke Metcalf scoring a try and kicking six goals); then the Sydney Roosters beat Penrith at CommBank Stadium (Daniel Tupou scoring two of the Roosters’ seven tries, with Sandon Smith scoring a try and kicking five goals).
Cronulla beat North Queensland at Queensland Country Bank Stadium (doubles to Kayal Iro and Samuel Stonestreet); a Sunia Turuva hat-trick helped the Wests Tigers belt Parramatta at CommBank Stadium (the Tigers’ biggest win since beating Canberra 48-24 last season).
Embed from Getty ImagesResults
Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Adam Elliott 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones
Players cut from final squad: Will Pryce 20. Logan Aoake 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Thomas Cant
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Oryn Keeley 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Josh Kerr 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 18. Sean O’Sullivan
Players cut from final squad: Max Feagai 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Harrison Graham 22. Aublix Tawha
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Ashley Klein
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 21. Eddie Ieremia
Players cut from final squad: Samuel Healey 20. Te Maire Martin 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Edward Kosi
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 4. Reuben Garrick 18. Clayton Faulalo 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 22. Dean Matterson
Players cut from final squad: 3. Tolutau Koula Tommy Talau 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Jakob Arthur
Referee: Adam Gee
Bunker: Chris Butler
Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luke Garner 20. Liam Henry 18. Brad Schneider
Players cut from final squad: 15. Isaiah Papali’i 19. Luron Patea 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Thomas Jenkins
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 10. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 17. Taylor Losalu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Blake Steep 18. Hugo Savala 19. Ethan Roberts
Players cut from final squad: 10. Lindsay Collins 20. Ethan King 21. Max McCathie 22. Billy Smith
Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Grant Atkins
St George-Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Match Preview
Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 5. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 19. Tyrell Sloan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 10. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 15. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 8. Toby Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart 2. Mathew Feagai
Players cut from final squad: 2. Mathew Feagai 18. Dylan Egan 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Fletcher Myers 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Liam Le Blanc
Players cut from final squad: 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Talanoa Penitani
Referee: Ashley Klein
Bunker: Kasey Badger
North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 21. Jaxson Paulo
Players cut from final squad: 18. Jake Clifford 19. Jeremiah Nanai 20. Thomas Mikaele 22. Jason Taumalolo
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns
Players cut from final squad: 17. Thomas Hazelton 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Bunker: Gerard Sutton
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Corey Horsburgh 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 16. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 17. Ata Mariota 19. Trey Mooney
Players cut from final squad: 18. Danny Levi 20. Chevy Stewart 21. Michael Asomua 22. Ethan Sanders
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura 18. Tyson Smoothy
Players cut from final squad: 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Jock Madden
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Bunker: Matt Noyen
Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jordan Samrani 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Jack Williams 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Dan Keir
Players cut from final squad: 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Joey Lussick 22. Charlie Guymer 19. Joash Papali’i
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Charlie Staines
Players cut from final squad: 20. Tristan Hope 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape 19. Latu Fainu
Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Kasey Badger
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans
Match Preview
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 16. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 17. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Harry Hayes 22. Luke Smith
Players cut from final squad: 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Blake Taaffe 23. Jonathan Sua 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Brock Gray 18. Jaylan De Groot 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui
Players cut from final squad: 19. Arama Hau 21. Tom Weaver 22. Tony Francis
Referee: Peter Gough
Bunker: Chris Butler
BYE: Melbourne Storm
Match Review
Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights), Grade 2 Shoulder Charge. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 2 matches.
Jazz Tevaga (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Grade 1 Contrary Conduct. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Salesi Foketi (Sydney Roosters), Grade 2 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Guilty at Panel – 2 matches.
Valentine Holmes (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Lachlan Hubner (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Grade 2 Crusher Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 2 matches.
Harrison Edwards (North Queensland Cowboys), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys), Grade 1 Dangerous Throw. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Cory Paix (Brisbane Broncos), Grade 1 Dangerous Throw. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Kobe Hetherington (Brisbane Broncos), Grade 1 Crusher Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $3000 fine.
Jack Williams (Parramatta Eels), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Grade 1 Shoulder Charge. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1500 fine.
