NRL Round 1: Storm continue streak; Wests Tigers overcome Dragons
On the last chance for fans to attend a live match for the forseeable future, the Storm overcame the Sea Eagles and the Tigers beat the Dragons. READ OUR MATCH REPORTS HERE
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MATCH REPORTS: Dragons v Tigers and Sea Eagles v Storm
Update: When Benji Marshall left St George Illawarra at the end of 2016 he thought his career was finished.
“I was done,” Marshall said in the wake of Sunday night’s 24-14 victory over the club that had let him go.
But after turning 35 last month, now Marshall still won’t rule out playing beyond this year.
On a wet night in Wollongong where the Dragons absolutely butchered their shot at victory, it was that old Marshall magic that seized control in the absence of the injured Luke Brooks, who had suffered a calf strain at Saturday’s captain run and could be sidelined for the next month.
This is now Marshall’s 18th season in the NRL and he kick-started it by setting up three of the Tigers’ four tries as the oldest man on the field and the second oldest in the comp turned back the clock.
“I was going to do a lap of honour today just in case,” Benji quipped when asked if this would be his final season.
“I could probably play again but like I said, it is a long season.
“There is no rush.
“I am not Cameron Smith. I am not going to take up most of the cap.”
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BENJI BRILLIANCE
While he’ll never be the player he once was when it comes to pure speed and brilliance, Benji sure gets quicker between the ears by the season.
While the Dragons couldn’t capitalise on their chances, Marshall certainly did his bit to add class to the contest.
He laid on two tries with clever grubber kicks while he scored another with some quick thinking.
“I am actually proud of myself that I am still playing,” he said.
“There was a pretty tough patch there when I thought I was going to have to retire, especially when I went to Brisbane.
“But going to Brisbane was where I probably found the love for the game again.
“Wayne (Bennett) actually said to me, ‘Where is the Benji who used to joke in the sheds and have a laugh before games?’
“He said, ‘You are so serious, man, relax’.
“And it was weird.
“That simple conversation made me think, ‘You know what, I am just going to enjoy it’.
“Since then it has just helped me turn it around.”
MARY’S MISERY
Everyone will want to blame Ben Hunt and Corey Norman but in fairness they created enough chances to win the game, it’s just that the Dragons have made a habit of finding a way to lose.
And Sunday night was the perfect example of that.
Hunt very nearly stole victory when he busted through in the 73rd minute only to watch Paul Vaughan drop the ball cold with the line open.
Minutes later Tyson Frizell steamed into the clear only for a wayward pass to end in more heartache.
There were two more chances in the first half off kicks from Hunt and Norman.
Paul McGregor said it so simply: “We blew our chances”.
It was that type of night for the Dragons.
The one thing McGregor can’t afford is a poor start to this season and they will have to improve significantly to have a chance against Penrith on Friday night.
You can’t write off a team after the opening round but this looks like it could be another long year.
SIMS IN STRIFE
Poor Josh Reynolds just had to grit his teeth and cop it after copping a stack of punishment from Tariq Sims.
Sims obviously went out with the intention to give his opposite playmaker hell and for most of the game he did it within the rules.
But Sims got himself in strife in the dying minutes when he was placed on report for a late shot on Reynolds that will attract the attention of the match review committee.
YOUNG TIGERS STAND TALL
The young forwards have copped a fair few insults over the summer with most outside the club believing they don’t have the authority to create the platform for the Tigers to be fair dinkum finals contenders.
But on Sunday night Josh Aloiai, Alex Twal, Thomas Mikaele and Zane Musgrove sure got the better of their more experienced and esteemed opposition.
And one person not underrating them is Benji.
“I love playing with them,” Marshall said.
“I thought tonight they just showed how much fight they have and how much resilience.
“And they are still making their way.
“I have no doubt that by the end of this season you will know about them.”
WESTS TIGERS 24 (D Nofoaluma 2 L Leilua B Marshall tries B Marshall 4 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 14 (1 penalty try) (Z Lomax M Ravalawa tries Z Lomax 3 goals) at WIN Stadium. Referee: Phil Henderson, Ashley Klein. Crowd: 9,137.
- Paul Crawley
STORM STREAK CONTINUES AMID BIZARRE SCENES
Update: No win on Sunday, no crowd next week, no game for round three.
This is the bizarre scenario facing Manly over the opening three rounds.
The Sea Eagles fell 18-4 to Melbourne at Brookvale Oval in round one and will now play the Sydney Roosters at Gosford in round two before a empty stadium.
And adding to confusion, Manly may now not have a game for round three.
The New Zealand Warriors will remain on the Gold Coast this week for a home game against Canberra but then plan to leave Australia for home next Monday.
That would mean the Warriors-Manly match set down for March 27 at Brookvale would be postponed.
It is likely the game would be rescheduled around Origin time or later this year when clubs have byes.
“It’s only going to take someone in the game to turn up a positive test and it will change it all again. I think, in all honesty, the goalposts will move half a dozen times before then,” Manly coach Des Hasler said.
Manly’s inability to post a single try against Melbourne will disappoint given their backline was chock full of strike power. It’s only round one but Manly expected better of themselves.
Sea Eagles forward Sean Keppie was placed on report for a dangerous throw in a first half where there were 22 stoppages through 11 penalties and 11 errors.
A second half highlight was another thunderous hit by Manly winger Jorge Taufua on Storm centre Marion Seve.
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SUPER STORM
TWO kicks to the number two equalled two tries and then two competition points.
Melbourne Storm posted two identical tries on Sunday where halfback Jahrome Hughes kicked cross field for winger Suli Vunivalu – wearing number two - to score.
The first try arrived in the 61st minute, the second just three minutes in the same spot in the same corner. When it works once, why not try it again.
Hughes’ kicked beautifully for his winger, who completed the double despite doubts over his grounding for the second try. It prompted a raucous Manly fan chant of ‘bullshit, bullshit’.
But their anger didn’t matter - Melbourne scored three tries to nil.
It is shame Vunivalu sees fit to leave NRL for rugby union after this season. He soon may not score two tries in a season.
“I thought we were very good in the second half. I was very happy with our patience,” said Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
CORONA TOUCHIE
Match touch judge Tim Alouani-Roby withdrew from the game after contracting flu like symptoms.
He self-reported his condition to the NRL and was undergoing medical protocols on Sunday afternoon, including self-isolation.
Alouani-Roby, who had not been in contact with fellow referees since Friday, was replaced for the game by Ricky McFarlane.
Manly chief executive Stephen Humphreys visited the print media box and – perhaps light-heartedly – fist pumped journalists rather than shaking hands.
The crowd was down on what Manly had expected – around 14,000. Coronavirus was blamed to some extent although a solid rain shower 45 minutes before kick-off didn’t help. The official attendance was 10,315.
BRILLIANT BELLAMY
HE did it again. Storm coach Craig Bellamy remains unbeaten in round one games since 2003.
It was his 18th successive opening match win. Is it a coincidence or fact that Bellamy prepares his side like few others over summer?
“There’s a bit of luck I suppose,” Bellamy said. “I’m not quite sure what it is but we work hard in the pre-season.”
Year after year, Melbourne lose key players but somehow remain in the elite class of rugby league. This season looks no different. Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen ran for 162 metres.
MELBOURNE 18 (S Vunivalu 2 T Eisenhuth tries C Smith 3 goals) bt MANLY 4 (R Garrick 2 goals) at Lottoland. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Jon Stone
- Dean Ritchie