Will EvansRound 1 Recap / Round 2 Preview
March 20th 2009 06:01
Round 1 Recap
David Gallop, and the Rugby League community in general, were crying out for some quality onfield action to return the game to the back pages for the right reasons after the Brett Stewart-saga dominated column inches. They got it in spades throughout an enthralling opening weekend of the NRL.
Two one-point thrillers on Friday night, one of them a golden-pointer, set the tone for the weekend. 2008 wooden-spooners, the new-look Bulldogs, upset defending premiers Manly in a brilliant display of wet-weather football. The resurgent Rabbitohs, 14th last year, thumped the highly-touted Roosters with a scintillating attacking performance - and their biggest win for almost 30 years.
Some of the young stars of 2008 came out determined to show the dreaded second-year syndrome is myth - Chris Sandow was sensational for the Rabbits in a Langer-esque display, while his chip-and-chase try was a Phil Blake special. 18-young Bulldogs giant Jamaal Idris and stocky Canberra speedster Justin Carney crossed for powerful doubles, while Titan Esi Tonga produced one of the plays of the round by retrieving a deadball-line-bound kick for Nathan Friend to score a pivotal try. There's a godd chance the dux of the NRL's class of 2009 will come from the Broncos. Jharal Yow Yeh and Antonio Winterstein were superb on the flanks, both picking up tries on debut, and Kiwi utility Alex Glenn contributed strongly off the bench.
Just to prove it isn't only a young man's game, the NRL's valuable veterans also stood up to be counted. Wendell Sailor delivered the try of the round with a thrilling 50 metre run and a sublimely timed pass to Matt Cooper, sending the match into extra-time. Warriors captain Steve Price celebrated his 300th first grade game (becoming the first Queenslander to achieve the mark) with a typically tireless display, laying the platform for a 26-18 victory by carrying the ball for a competition-high 188 metres.
Many high-profile recruits produced in their initial outings for their new clubs. Brisbane's Israel Folau and new Cowboy Willie Tonga scored the first tries for their respective sides, the Bulldogs' seven new faces slotted in beautifully, and Joel Moon scored a try and Denan Kemp kicked five goals for the Warriors. Anthony Tupou scored a trademark try for the Sharks, while Trent Barrett also crossed and guided Cronulla to a scrappy win in the wet. Veteran backs Rhys Wesser and Colin Best consistently threatened for Souths. Perhaps the most impressive of the fresh signings was Englishman Gareth Ellis for the Tigers. The second-rower stamped his authority immediately with a bone-rattling tackle in the opening minute, and was named in the Big League team of the week.
The first round injury curse was most keenly felt at Cronulla, with fullback Brett Kearney likely to be sidelined for over a month and the heartbreak story of the weekend, Ben Ross, out for the season with a career-threatening neck injury. Warriors' super-sub Lance Hohaia will be a big loss for six weeks following a dynamic two-try display, while the Dragons will have to do without prop Justin Poore until Round 5.
But the weekend belonged to the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs. Both showed enough potential against highly-fancied rivals to suggest they will be in the mix for the finals at the end of the season.
Round 2 Preview
Brisbane v Melbourne at Suncorp
The NRL's biggest grudge match between to of its marquee teams. The wounds are still fresh from the Broncos gut-wrenching defeat at the hands of the Storm in the 2008 finals at this ground, where Greg Inglis scored on the bell to bounce the home side out of the competition. Another titanic struggle looms, with all eyes on former Melbourne wonderboy Israel Folau in his first match against his old club. He may be teamed with international centre Justin Hodges, who has recovered earlier than expected from injury. Storm skipper Cameron Smith will also be out for redemption - in last year's final he copped a suspension for an ugly grapple tackle on Sam Thaiday and missed the grand final, before also losing the World Cup final at Suncorp. No need to over-analyse this one, just sit back and enjoy one of the great match-ups of 2009.
For the record: Melbourne have won 9 of the last 10 between the two clubs - the Broncos only win in that time coming in the 2006 grand final.
Brisbane by 4
Souths v Parramatta at ANZ
The biggest test for the Rabbitohs is taming the euphoria of last week's landmark thrashing of arch-rivals Sydney. Parramatta weren't bad against the Warriors, but never really threatened to win the game. Tonight's clash will come down to the battle of the halves. Wily Eels No. 7 Brett Finch squares off against the charismatic youngster Chris Sandow, while last week's man-of-the-match for the Bunnies John Sutton will mark up opposite novice five-eighth Jarryd Hayne. Sutton is finally delivering on the promise he has shown since coming into first grade, but it seems Hayne needs more time to feel comfortable with the No. 6 on his back. The showdown is being touted as an early selection trial for the NSW five-eighth spot. Hayne's inexperience as a playmaker magnifies the importance of lock Feleti Mateo to Parramatta's attack. Mateo is one of the NRL's best ball-players and he needs to take on greater responsibility as Hayne finds his feet. Souths should be too strong in front of what will hopefully be a bumper home crowd.
For the record: The Rabbitohs currently sit atop the NRL ladder for the first time since 1989.
Souths by 18
St. George-Illawarra v Gold Coast at WIN
The Titans recorded a superb come-from-behind win against Newcastle on Sunday, but desperately need to arrest traveling woes to challenge for the finals. Illawarra junior and Gold Coast co-captain Luke Bailey returns home for his 150th first grade game, and is hellbent on the Titans' getting their first win up on the Dragons. The new-look Dragons were solid in their first hit-out under Wayne Bennett, forcing the Storm into golden-point. Highly-rated prop Justin Poore is a big loss for the Saints, but importantly new recruit Michael Weyman was outstanding against Melbourne, and will be looking to set the platform for Hornby, Soward and Priddis to feed their outside men. As always, Scott Prince holds the key for the Titans, and is a far more dominant No. 7 than Hornby, which puts pressure on Soward to rediscover his 2008 form.
For the record: No Gold Coast side has won at Woollongong since the Giants defeated Illawarra in 1989, when the Steelers ran last in the premiership.
St. George-Illawarra by 6
Penrith v Bulldogs at CUA
The Panthers are usually a more difficult proposition at home, but the Bulldogs emphatic win over Manly last week suggests a comfortable win for the visitors on Saturday. The 'Dogs were brilliant in identical conditions to the ones which Penrith battled in against the Sharks, are continuity in the halves is a major concern for Matt Elliot. Question marks remain as to whether Jarrod Sammut is the answer at No. 7, while Luke Lewis is relatively inexperienced at five-eighth. Compare that to veteran conductor Brett Kimmorley pulling the strings for the Bulldogs, and that could be the winning and losing of the match right there. A mouthwatering battle awaits between the young-gun centres, Bulldogs sensation Jamaal Idris and Panthers attacking freak Michael Jennings, who scored a sizzling individual try against the Sharks.
For the record: Penrith recorded the biggest win between these two clubs at this ground last season - 52-16.
Bulldogs by 16
David Gallop, and the Rugby League community in general, were crying out for some quality onfield action to return the game to the back pages for the right reasons after the Brett Stewart-saga dominated column inches. They got it in spades throughout an enthralling opening weekend of the NRL.
Two one-point thrillers on Friday night, one of them a golden-pointer, set the tone for the weekend. 2008 wooden-spooners, the new-look Bulldogs, upset defending premiers Manly in a brilliant display of wet-weather football. The resurgent Rabbitohs, 14th last year, thumped the highly-touted Roosters with a scintillating attacking performance - and their biggest win for almost 30 years.
Some of the young stars of 2008 came out determined to show the dreaded second-year syndrome is myth - Chris Sandow was sensational for the Rabbits in a Langer-esque display, while his chip-and-chase try was a Phil Blake special. 18-young Bulldogs giant Jamaal Idris and stocky Canberra speedster Justin Carney crossed for powerful doubles, while Titan Esi Tonga produced one of the plays of the round by retrieving a deadball-line-bound kick for Nathan Friend to score a pivotal try. There's a godd chance the dux of the NRL's class of 2009 will come from the Broncos. Jharal Yow Yeh and Antonio Winterstein were superb on the flanks, both picking up tries on debut, and Kiwi utility Alex Glenn contributed strongly off the bench.
Just to prove it isn't only a young man's game, the NRL's valuable veterans also stood up to be counted. Wendell Sailor delivered the try of the round with a thrilling 50 metre run and a sublimely timed pass to Matt Cooper, sending the match into extra-time. Warriors captain Steve Price celebrated his 300th first grade game (becoming the first Queenslander to achieve the mark) with a typically tireless display, laying the platform for a 26-18 victory by carrying the ball for a competition-high 188 metres.
Many high-profile recruits produced in their initial outings for their new clubs. Brisbane's Israel Folau and new Cowboy Willie Tonga scored the first tries for their respective sides, the Bulldogs' seven new faces slotted in beautifully, and Joel Moon scored a try and Denan Kemp kicked five goals for the Warriors. Anthony Tupou scored a trademark try for the Sharks, while Trent Barrett also crossed and guided Cronulla to a scrappy win in the wet. Veteran backs Rhys Wesser and Colin Best consistently threatened for Souths. Perhaps the most impressive of the fresh signings was Englishman Gareth Ellis for the Tigers. The second-rower stamped his authority immediately with a bone-rattling tackle in the opening minute, and was named in the Big League team of the week.
The first round injury curse was most keenly felt at Cronulla, with fullback Brett Kearney likely to be sidelined for over a month and the heartbreak story of the weekend, Ben Ross, out for the season with a career-threatening neck injury. Warriors' super-sub Lance Hohaia will be a big loss for six weeks following a dynamic two-try display, while the Dragons will have to do without prop Justin Poore until Round 5.
But the weekend belonged to the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs. Both showed enough potential against highly-fancied rivals to suggest they will be in the mix for the finals at the end of the season.
Round 2 Preview
Brisbane v Melbourne at Suncorp
The NRL's biggest grudge match between to of its marquee teams. The wounds are still fresh from the Broncos gut-wrenching defeat at the hands of the Storm in the 2008 finals at this ground, where Greg Inglis scored on the bell to bounce the home side out of the competition. Another titanic struggle looms, with all eyes on former Melbourne wonderboy Israel Folau in his first match against his old club. He may be teamed with international centre Justin Hodges, who has recovered earlier than expected from injury. Storm skipper Cameron Smith will also be out for redemption - in last year's final he copped a suspension for an ugly grapple tackle on Sam Thaiday and missed the grand final, before also losing the World Cup final at Suncorp. No need to over-analyse this one, just sit back and enjoy one of the great match-ups of 2009.
For the record: Melbourne have won 9 of the last 10 between the two clubs - the Broncos only win in that time coming in the 2006 grand final.
Brisbane by 4
Souths v Parramatta at ANZ
The biggest test for the Rabbitohs is taming the euphoria of last week's landmark thrashing of arch-rivals Sydney. Parramatta weren't bad against the Warriors, but never really threatened to win the game. Tonight's clash will come down to the battle of the halves. Wily Eels No. 7 Brett Finch squares off against the charismatic youngster Chris Sandow, while last week's man-of-the-match for the Bunnies John Sutton will mark up opposite novice five-eighth Jarryd Hayne. Sutton is finally delivering on the promise he has shown since coming into first grade, but it seems Hayne needs more time to feel comfortable with the No. 6 on his back. The showdown is being touted as an early selection trial for the NSW five-eighth spot. Hayne's inexperience as a playmaker magnifies the importance of lock Feleti Mateo to Parramatta's attack. Mateo is one of the NRL's best ball-players and he needs to take on greater responsibility as Hayne finds his feet. Souths should be too strong in front of what will hopefully be a bumper home crowd.
For the record: The Rabbitohs currently sit atop the NRL ladder for the first time since 1989.
Souths by 18
St. George-Illawarra v Gold Coast at WIN
The Titans recorded a superb come-from-behind win against Newcastle on Sunday, but desperately need to arrest traveling woes to challenge for the finals. Illawarra junior and Gold Coast co-captain Luke Bailey returns home for his 150th first grade game, and is hellbent on the Titans' getting their first win up on the Dragons. The new-look Dragons were solid in their first hit-out under Wayne Bennett, forcing the Storm into golden-point. Highly-rated prop Justin Poore is a big loss for the Saints, but importantly new recruit Michael Weyman was outstanding against Melbourne, and will be looking to set the platform for Hornby, Soward and Priddis to feed their outside men. As always, Scott Prince holds the key for the Titans, and is a far more dominant No. 7 than Hornby, which puts pressure on Soward to rediscover his 2008 form.
For the record: No Gold Coast side has won at Woollongong since the Giants defeated Illawarra in 1989, when the Steelers ran last in the premiership.
St. George-Illawarra by 6
Penrith v Bulldogs at CUA
The Panthers are usually a more difficult proposition at home, but the Bulldogs emphatic win over Manly last week suggests a comfortable win for the visitors on Saturday. The 'Dogs were brilliant in identical conditions to the ones which Penrith battled in against the Sharks, are continuity in the halves is a major concern for Matt Elliot. Question marks remain as to whether Jarrod Sammut is the answer at No. 7, while Luke Lewis is relatively inexperienced at five-eighth. Compare that to veteran conductor Brett Kimmorley pulling the strings for the Bulldogs, and that could be the winning and losing of the match right there. A mouthwatering battle awaits between the young-gun centres, Bulldogs sensation Jamaal Idris and Panthers attacking freak Michael Jennings, who scored a sizzling individual try against the Sharks.
For the record: Penrith recorded the biggest win between these two clubs at this ground last season - 52-16.
Bulldogs by 16
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