The NRL Round Two Thread

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Round two, having borrowed the well thumbed, Trent Robinson book of excuses, I would point out that if both the Bulldogs and the Raiders had simply kicked a drop goal in the last five minutes of regular time rather than in Golden Point, I would have an additional two wins…

I am off to New Zealand tonight, so this must be written early without much team news, so here goes.

Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels (Thu)

Two teams that need a win.

After last season, and the trial games I was shocked by how bad the Eels were against Melbourne. The only way is up for Jason Ryles team, and it would help if the halves pairing of Mitchell Moses and Jonah Pezet manage to gel. The FOXX returns on the wing with Sean Russell moving to centre. You look at the starting XII and there should be no way this side concedes 52 points, but they did and statistically sides conceding 50 plus points do win the premiership.

There is a T-Shirt I have seen - Make Parra Matter Again. That might be some time if last week proves to be this season’s norm….

For the Bronx embarrassment in the World Club Challenge has been followed by being nilled at Suncorp. If Michael Maguire still has the players on board, then they need to make a statement for their fans and Reece Walsh needs to live up to his billing which has palpably not done in either the WCC or against Penrith. Brisbane swops the halves with Ezra Mam staring and Ben Hunt dropping to the bench.

Tip - Bronx

New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders (Fri)

I will be at this game which promises to be a cracker between a fired up Wahs and Ricky’s Roving Raiders. If you ever get the chance to be in New Zealand, a Warriors game is an absolute must for the unique Polynesian flavour of the event. You simply can't find this kind of atmosphere anywhere else.

The Wahs stick with their starting XIII for this game with the only changes on the bench.

Rickys Roving Raiders come across the ditch having dodged the bullet at Brookvale losing a 14-point lead with 8 minutes remaining and Manly fans visibly leaving with their Silvertails between their legs. If they had lost In Golden point….

The Forward battle could settle this game between two sides that can score a heap of points with both sides capable of making 80-yard gains off their exit sets.  if the weather play’s up it will be won by the team that makes the most completions that wins. Morgan Smithies replaces Josh Papalii for Canberra.

Tip – Really difficult but the Wahs because this is at Mount Smart

Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Fri)

Souths should be favourites in this match up zas the side that has translated Trial form into the regular season. Lots of plaudits to the usual suspects but the standouts for Souths against the Fins were Keaon Koloamatangi and Camron Murray. Given the injury list the last couple of seasons have given a false impression of a Bunnies side which is a genuine top eight side with all hands-on deck Jayden Sullivan replaces Ashton Ward at Halfback in an otherwise unchanged line up.

For the Roosters, the big question is does the combination of DCE and Sam Walker actually work with both accust9omed to being the main man. Would it not be better with one of them playing the lead role paired with Hugo Savala who will not be available this week with a foot injury. They have no Spencer Lemiu for this game and have lost Tommy Talau for the season which is a big blow as he was quite an astute signing.

The Roosters shuffle things around a bit with Robert Toia returning at centre for Junior Pauga and Siua Wong and Egan Butcher replacing the benched Nat Butcher and Blake Steep. The up-and-coming Rodwell Brothers Toby (halfback) and Tom (wing) also on the bench.

Tip - Rabbit

Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys (sat)

Played at Leichhardt Oval, Wests Looked good in the Trial games but so did the Titans.

Ka -Pearce-Paul debuts for the Tigers who have a halves combination of Adam Doueihi and Jerome Luai. In a first outing for Wests first choice XIII, It’s often forgotten that Wests were in the hunt for the top eight right up to the last rounds of 2025 and this could be the season the club kicks on with big proviso that any controversy needs to be on the field rather than off it.

As for the Cows, it is probably too early for Todd Payten so swop Jack Clifford out of the halves and pair Jaxson Purdue with Tom Darden. Forward wise Jason Taumalo and Reuben Ciotter put in a shift at Vegas, but Jason is a 40-minute player these days. Todd Payten sticks with his starting XIII for this game which is fair enough.

One telling factor will be Vegas because NQ must be collecting QANTAS points as they were not given a home fixture but instead travel to Sydney. That might take its toll in the last 20 minutes.

Another is that Leichardt is very much a fortress for Wests as packed suburban ground.

Tip – West Tiger

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm (sat)

Played in the ‘Gong where you would always fancy SGI but maybe not against this Melbourne team that ripped apart the Eels. SGI can of course point to an early season victory last year at Kogarah.

The only change for the Dragons is Hamish Stewart coming in at lock for Hame Sele. London Broncos target Tyrell Sloan remains on the outer named as reserve and not even making the bench and no return yet for Jacob Liddle.

Melbourne makes only the one change from the side that electrocuted the Eels in Round one.

The key contest in the game will be in the forwards; The unsung heroes of Melbourne last week were the pack of Joe Chan. Ativalu Lisati and Alec MacDonald (out this week and replaced by Tui Kamikamica) that provided the platform for Melbourne’s backline to exploit. Should they do the same gain then it could be a long night in the Gong. Saying that Shane Flanagan teams rarely get towelled, and I expect them to be competitive. The difference may boil down to the quality of the backline and the halves pairing.

Tip – Close Game but leaning towards Storm.

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks (Sat)

A ray of hope for the Sharkies in that this is being played up country at Bathurst where the Penny Panthers record has been ordinary including the first victory for eventual wooden spoonists West Tigers and last year’s loss to wooden spoonists Newcastle Knights.

Only the one swop for the Penny Panthers with Paul Alamoti moving to centre from the wing Thomas” Milky” Jenkins moving out to the wing to add some beef in the middle in the continued absence of Liam Martin.

Sharkies unchanged with only some shuffling on the bench.

 Although Panthers are a very strong side all is not lost for the Sharks. One the advantages of a low turnover” we like our guys” club is that everyone knows their own role within the team and Cronulla who lost no players to Origin last year are a team that plays better than the sum of its parts. That’s good enough for most of the league but does it work against the elite.

Tip – Should be a cracker but leaning towards Panther.

Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights 

The Silvertails make one change in the forwards with Kobe Hetherington replacing Siosiua Taukeiaho in the front row and some shuffling of the bench.

Sandon Smith starts for the Knights at five eighth instead of Flecher Sharpe and Tyson Frizzell replaces the benched Nat Croker at Lock

This could be a very good game, between two sides written off pre-season. Newcastle’s backline is very good indeed but lacks the spark that Fletcher Sharpe brought to the side in the opening 20 minutes at Vegas Manly’s backline though is their equal and Manly have the edge in the forwards. A lot may depend on any strategies Justin Holbrook

Tip – Could be an entertaining game but tipping Manly.

Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans

When you look at that Dolphins line up it remains a potent attacking outfit and Kristian Woolf retains the same starting XIII that conceded 40 to Souths last week. With the addition of Ray Stone on the bench

 Played at Suncorp between two teams, who as in the first game of the round, both need a win. The Dolphins who are leaking points against a Titans side who also leak points. The Dolphins are heavily tipped but failed to fire at a damp Suncorp. While Josh Hanny’s pre-season optimism met harsh reality at Shark Park. He has no Sam Verrals or Jayden Campbell this week.

Having lost three on the bounce including both trials. The Dolphins need this one. There should be a lot of points scored in this one.

Tip - Dolphin

[Graham]

Enjoy your NZ trip. Business or pleasure?

[Futtocks]

Morning all! Two clubs who had a first round to forget.

[Futtocks]

Where's this Reece Walsh been so far in 2026?

[JimBronco]

Walsh try. He could be in for a big performance going by this start. 

[JimBronco]

Lovely weighted little kick from Reynolds for Staggs to touch down. Already a massive uphill struggle for the Eels. 

[Futtocks]

Riki got so close there.

[JimBronco]

Out of nowhere Tuilagi powers his way over to score. Sheer determination there. 

Edited March 12 by JimBronco

[Graham]

Latest score 

14-6 Broncos

[Graham]

Haas in to a big gap and he gallops over for a try.

[Futtocks]

Carrigan with a beautifully-timed pass sends Haas through and it is 20:6.

[Graham]

Reynolds goal

20-6 Brisbane

[JimBronco]

Broncos middle forwards combine for a try. Carrigan to Haas. That was too easy. 

[Futtocks]

Haas brainfart!

[Futtocks]

Blimey!

[JimBronco]

If Parra manage to score again before HT without Brisbane going over, things could get very interesting in the second half. 

Ohhhh and as I type this, Parra go over. Wow. 

[Futtocks]

Suddenly it is 20:16.

[Futtocks]

...and 20 all with ktc!

[marklaspalmas]

This should be about 30-6.

It's 20-22

Unbelievable 

[Futtocks]

 

[JimBronco]

Quite incredible turnaround. What a second half it's gonna be! 

[JimBronco]

Another Eels try. Think the upset is looking more and more likely. 

[Graham]

Walsh drops a straightforward high ball.

 Next thing Eels score in the corner. No goal.
26-20 Eels

[Graham]

1 minute ago, JimBronco said:

Another Eels try. Think the upset is looking more and more likely. 

Broncos certainly struggling at the moment 

[JimBronco]

1 minute ago, Graham said:

Broncos certainly struggling at the moment 

But respond with another Stagg try. What a game!