An 86-point shootout, a returning Holden Cup star, a fiery local derby and some impressive performances from 2015’s big guns. All that and more in this week’s Weekend Wrap.
Return to Strength
Beaten on the buzzer in Round 1, Penrith reminded the competition why they were Premiers in 2015 with a 40-point demolition of Canterbury. Fullback Dylan Edwards was the star of the show, nabbing a hat trick and 2 try assists in hot conditions. Usual suspects Nathan Cleary and Tyrone May also helped inflict damage on the Bulldogs, who were slammed back down to Earth after a big win over Manly in Round 1.
Return to Strength II
Last year’s other dominant side, the North Queensland Cowboys, also entered the winner’s circle for 2016 with a 34-12 win over Parramatta. After letting a lead slip away in Round 1, the Cowboys put the Eels to the sword, running in four of their seven tries in the second half. Captain Coen Hess was a man possessed in his side’s win, scoring a double and running for 134 metres. The win came at a cost though, with Rueben Cotter and Bacho Salam picking up serious injuries.
From Test to 20s
Sione Mata’utia was a late inclusion for the Knights on Saturday afternoon, playing his first NYC game since September 2014, 539 days ago. Since then Mata’utia has played 3 Tests for Australia and added 22 NRL games for the Newcastle. A try scorer in the Knights loss, Mata’utia’s return to the Holden Cup is just a pit stop it seems, as he has been named to return to first grade this weekend.
Sharks Snatch It
A late double to winger Sione Katoa gave Cronulla a 26-24 win and early bragging rights in their local derby with the Dragons. At the newly christened Southern Cross Group Stadium, the Sharks lead 14-8 half time before a spirited Dragons comeback had them leading by 10 with 20 minutes to play. Katoa’s double and a try to former Dragon Lachlan Stein sealed the win for the Sharks. The two sides will meet again in Round 23.
Suzuki Stadium Shootout
It was an 86-point epic at Suzuki Stadium (aka Langlands Park) on Saturday afternoon as the Titans defeated the Storm 44-42. 15 tries were scored in a match where the half time score, 28-22, more resembled a normal full time score. Former Storm player Kurt Bernard barged over to score the winner for the Gold Coast, who outscored Melbourne 22-14 in the second half. Remarkably, this isn’t the first game the Storm have played where both teams scored over 40 points. In Round 26 2009, they defeated the Warriors 46-44 at Mt Smart Stadium.
Round 3’s Televised Games
Newcastle v Canberra – Hunter Stadium – Saturday, March 19
12:00pm (AEDT) – FOX Sports 1
Warriors v Melbourne – Mt Smart Stadium – Sunday, March 20
9:30am (AEDT) – FOX Sports 1
It’s two live NYC games for this first time in 2016 this weekend. The Raiders feature in their third straight televised game, this time against the Knights, who make this first appearance. Then on Sunday fans will get their first look at the Warriors and Storm for 2016, live from Mt Smart Stadium.
Team of the Week
As it’s impossible to watch every Holden Cup game of the round, the team of the week is chosen statistically.
1 Dylan Edwards (PEN) [3 tries, 182m, 2 try assists, 8 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks, 2 linebreak assists]
2 Nathan Traill (NQL) [2 tries, 232m, 1 try assists, 8 tackle busts, 3 linebreaks]
3 Greg Leleisiuao (GLD) [152m, 1 try assists, 9 tackle busts, 1 offload, 2 linebreaks]
4 Tyrell Fuimaono (PAR) [1 try, 232m, 15 tackle busts, 1 offload, 2 linebreaks]
5 Ratu Tuisese (PEN) [1 try, 172m, 3 tackle busts, 1 offload, 1 linebreak]
6 Connor Watson (SYD) [2 tries; 151m, 2 try assists, 2 tackle busts, 19 tackles, 1 offload, 1 linebreak assist]
7 Nathan Cleary (PEN) [3 try assists, 4 tackle busts, 19 tackles, 2 offloads, 2 linebreak assists]
8 Josh Kerr (MEL) [194m, 5 tackle busts, 13 tackles, 3 offloads, 1 linebreak]
9 Jake Turpin (MEL) (74m, 4 try assists, 1 tackle busts, 33 tackles, 1 linebreak, 3 linebreak assists]
10 Daniel Dole (CAN) [1 try, 205m, 3 tackle busts, 31 tackles, 1 offload, 2 linebreaks]
11 Coen Hess (NQL) [2 tries, 134m, 1 try assist, 6 tackle busts, 20 tackles, 5 offloads, 1 linebreak assist]
12 Jaydn Su’a (BRI) [142m, 6 tackle busts, 21 tackles]
13 Tyrone May (PEN) (2 tries, 165m, 7 tackle busts, 26 tackles, 3 offloads, 1 linebreak]
14 Jayden Brailey (CRO) [2 try assists, 46 tackles, 2 linebreak assists]
15 Corey Waddell (PEN) [137m, 1 try assists, 26 tackles, 1 linebreak asssist]
16 Brock Gray (SOU) (152m, 3 tackle busts, 29 tackles, 1 linebreak]
17 Liam Coleman (SOU) [2 try assists, 4 tackle busts, 18 tackles, 2 offloads, 2 linebreak assists]
Player of the Week
Dylan Edwards (Penrith)
It’s hard to go past Penrith’s fullback Dylan Edwards, who was in everything in his side’s 46-6 win over Canterbury. With three tries and two try assists, Edwards was directly involved in five of the Panther’s eight tries. The Bellingen Dorrigo junior also ran for 182 metres and had 8 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks and 2 linebreak assists in the defending Premier’s 40-point victory.
18TH MAN 