Big wins from the leaders, a surprise debutant, a postponed game and last weekend’s graduates, all that and more in this week’s Weekend Wrap.
Big Wins
Last year’s form sides, the Panthers and Cowboys, both flexed their muscle once again in Round 3, showing they’ll be heavyweights once again in 2016. The Cowboys ran out 20-point winners over the previously unbeaten Roosters while Penrith dominated the Broncos in their 32-point winner, with both sides getting off to hot starts (the Cowboys lead 18-4 at half time, the Panthers 26-0).
Influential Half
Parramatta picked up their second win of the year after defeating the Bulldogs 30-20 last Friday night. Halfback Troy Dargan was instrumental for the Eels, setting up four tries in the victory. He also picked up four try assists in Parra’s Round 1 win over Brisbane, showing how important he is for his side. Other standouts in the win were prop Alex Twal, who ran for 206m, and centre Tyrell Fuimaono, who was unstoppable once again, running for 226m and breaking 10 tackles.
Denniss the Menace
Unless you follow the Holden Cup religiously you can be forgiven for not knowing who Cory Denniss was before his two try NRL debut on Saturday afternoon. The 18-year old outside back made his NYC debut in Round 1, playing just two games before being called up to the first grade side to replace Akuila Uate. The inexperienced winger did not look out of place in the NRL and was once again named in first grade this weekend.
SCG Thriller
The Dragons pulled off a stunning comeback on the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground against old rivals South Sydney on Sunday afternoon. Trailing 18-6 at half time, the Dragons ran in four second half tries, with Luciano Leilua scoring the game winner in the 79th minute. The win was St George Illawarra’s first for 2016, after going by two points in last week’s derby game against Cronulla.
NRL/NYC Double
A win for both a club’s NRL and NYC sides happens each week but both sides winning by the same score line? It happened on Saturday night with the Titans’ beating the Tigers 30-18 in both grades. It was the Titans’ second straight win and the Tigers first loss of the season. Gold Coast forwards Morgan Boyle and Nathan Watts both scoring doubles in the win.
Rain Delay
Due to heavy rain in Sydney over the weekend, the Manly-Cronulla NYC game scheduled for Monday afternoon was postponed to preserve the Brookvale Oval pitch for the NRL game. The match will most likely be moved to Round 12 when both teams have a bye. Due the postponement, the Sharks are still unbeaten heading into Round 4, while the Sea Eagles are still winless.
Round 3’s Televised Games
Canberra v Gold Coast – GIO Stadium – Saturday, March 26
1:00pm (AEDT) – FOX Sports 1
Warriors v Newcastle – Mt Smart Stadium – Monday, March 28
11:30am (AEDT) – FOX Sports 1
Canberra get their fourth straight televised game this weekend, as they face the Titans, who are on FOX Sports for the first time this season. On a rare televised Monday game, the Warriors and Knights will make their second FOX appearance for 2016.
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) [1 try, 137m, 1 try assist, 6 tackle busts, 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak assist]
2 Gideon Gela-Mosby (NQL) [1 try, 219m, 4 tackle busts, 1 offload, 1 linebreak]
3 Tyrell Fuimaono (PAR) [226m, 10 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 1 linebreak]
4 Braidon Burns (PEN) [2 tries, 96m, 2 try assists, 2 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 1 linebreak, 2 linebreak assists]
5 Jermaine Mati-Leifi (PAR) [2 tries, 110m, 2 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks]
6 Lachlan Lewis (CAN) [2 tries, 65m, 2 try assists, 9 tackles, 27 tackles, 2 linebreaks, 1 linebreak assist]
7 Troy Dargan (PAR) [1 try, 141m, 4 try assists, 4 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks, 4 linebreak assists]
8 Isaiah Papalii (WAR) [171m, 1 try assist, 2 tackle busts, 32 tackles, 3 offloads, 1 linebreak assist]
9 Denzal Tonise (PAR) [1 try, 75m, 3 tackle busts, 34 tackles, 1 linebreak]
10 Max King (GLD) [144m, 1 try assist, 43 tackles, 1 offload, 1 linebreak assist]
11 Morgan Boyle (GLD) [2 tries, 165m, 4 tackle busts, 33 tackles, 1 linebreak]
12 Corey Waddell (PEN) [1 try, 182m, 5 tackle busts, 30 tackles, 1 0ffload, 1 linebreak]
13 Jordan Kenworthy (NQL) [1 try, 173m, 3 tackle busts, 25 tackles, 1 offload, 1 linebreak]
14 Jarome Luai (PEN) [1 try, 131m, 3 try assists, 3 tackle busts, 1 offload, 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak assist]
15 Ofahiki Ogden (WAR) [166m, 1 try assist, 4 tackle busts, 15 tackles, 4 offloads, 2 linebreak assists]
16 Luciano Leilua (SGI) [2 tries, 178m, 12 tackle busts, 21 tackles, 1 offload, 2 linebreaks]
17 Keegan Hipgrave (BRI) [225m, 8 tackle busts, 24 tackles, 1 linebreak]
Player of the Week
Troy Dargan (Parramatta)
As noted earlier in the Wrap, Dargan was fantastic in his side’s 10-point victory over Canterbury. Along with his four try assists, Dargan scored a try, kicked two goals, ran for 141 metres and had 4 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks and 4 linebreak assists. A former Australian Schoolboy representative, Dargan has had a big start to 2016.
Round 3 Graduates
Cory Denniss (Newcastle 2016 – 2 games, 1 try, 4 points)
The 18-year old spent just two games in the NYC before making a shock debut last weekend in Newcastle’s 24-all draw. The Lakes United junior scored two tries in the draw.
Mitchell Frei (Brisbane 2010-2012 – 50 games, 11 tries, 63 goals, 170 points)
A Queensland U20 rep in 2012, Frei scored 142 points for Brisbane in 2011. After spending time at the Knights and in the Queensland Cup, Frei finally cracked the NRL with the Roosters last round.
Te Maire Martin (Wests Tigers 2014-2015 – 50 games, 17 tries, 1 goal, 70 points)
A two-time Junior Kiwi, Martin moved to Penrith in 2016 and enjoyed a stunning debut last weekend, scoring a try and kicking the game winning field goal against Brisbane.
Jazz Tevaga (Warriors 2014-2015 – 45 games, 10 tries, 40 points)
An integral member of the Warriors NYC side, Tevaga played lock in their 2014 Grand Final winning side. A Junior Kiwi in 2015, he debuted against Melbourne at hooker last weekend.
18TH MAN 