NRL trials: New-look Dragons breathe fire; Broncos eye $100,000 prize

DRAGONS 34, TIGERS 18

All the tricks: Ben Hunt with a flourish after his second try.Credit: Getty

TROUBLE FOR THE TIGERS ALREADY: It’s only trials. Say it with me. It’s only trials. But the Tigers defence looked average. And that’s being generous. Thirty-nine missed tackles in the first half - when their best players were on the field - told only half the tale. On their goal line the Tigers were exposed twice by simple, straight hard running by Moses Suli and Mika Ravalawa. Powerful carries sure, but NRL teams are well-versed at getting the numbers and techniques together to stop the one-out plays. The Tigers didn’t.

HOLY MOSES: Again, this comes with the classic trials warning. And Moses, bless him, well there’s been plenty of stories over the years, most pre-seasons actually, about him staying off the KFC and starting the season in the best shape of his life.

Moses Suli was a force to be reckoned with in Mudgee.Credit: Getty

But he does look like he’s in the best shape of his life.

And his best play wasn’t his barge-over try or a couple of telling runs down the left edge, but a desperate goal line tackle on Isaiah Papali’i that saved a try.

JACK AND ZAC: Over on the other edge, Jack Bird produced quality at right centre. Again, trials people.

But Shane Flanagan’s bold move to shift Zac Lomax to the wing was more about getting Bird into his favourite position rather than using Lomax as a winger, though he is pretty handy out there as a big body and aerial specialist.

His preferred position is centre and Lomax didn’t put a foot wrong. But if Bird keeps playing like this, he’ll be staying on the wing.

How Super Saturday unfolded

Storm 28 defeated Knights 10 at Churchill Park, Lautoka

Warriors 34 defeated Dolphins 22 at Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Broncos 40 defeated Sea Eagles 14 at 4 Pines Park

Dragons 34 defeated Tigers 18 at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

A bit of angst between Sullivan and Kyle Flanagan, the man who took his spot on the Dragons roster. Sullivan collides with Flanagan as he kicks long and definitely a penalty for illegal contact on the kicker.

Sullivan’s on report for that and you’d think he’ll be right for round two, but stranger things have resulted in a suspension. Flanagan’s night ends with a HIA but he looks ok.

New Dragon Christian Tuipulotu dives over in the corner from the resulting penalty but it’s no try, he’s just gone into touch. Lachlan Galvin forces a re-start at the other end in return. Tell you what, I’ve watch a lot of footy today, and very few short drop-outs with that new rule. Makes you think.

Dragons 34 Tigers 12

Tough night for the Tigers in Mudgee and Jayden Sullivan’s been exposed a few times in defence throughout it. But off the back of a quick play-the-ball by Lachlan Galvin - who has been one of their better players - Sullivan goes to the line, and fortune favours the brave.

He’s able to pop a falling offload after poking his nose through a tackle and finds Fonua Pole to score under the posts.

Jarome Luai’s signing last December prompted a bit of speculation Sullivan could be shuffled on - despite being just a few months into a four-year deal worth well beyond $2 million. Wants that No. 6 jersey to keep the wolves at bay.

The Dragons hit back within minutes, Tyrell Sloan speeding through for a try from a Faitala-Mariner unders ball.

Dragons 34 Tigers 12

Dragons again just doing as they please. Jaydn Su’A out on the left edge especially. Jack Bird grubbers on the third tackle after they go a long way down the field. Yep, grubbering on the third.

Jaydn Su’A has dominated on the left edge.Credit: Getty

And it works. Zac Lomax has the pace to get there, just in time to gather and score in the corner. Big guns are still on the field, not sure how much longer.

Blake Laurie won’t be back tonight but apparently just sore and sorry, no broken ribs.

Dragons 28 Tigers 6

There’s something for the masses in Tiger Town. Jahream Bula - just beautiful.

And this play started with Junior Tupou belting the bejesus out of Jack Bird a minute earlier. Then it’s a big sweeping play, with Lachie Galvin squaring up the line and keeping Raymond Faitala-Mariner honest.

Bula swings into the backline and it’s pretty much lights out from there. Swerves, beats two and streaks away for the Tigers first try.

Dragons 24 Tigers 6

Ben Hunt. He’s got a double. And a somersault. Those are separate things. But the try was pretty damn good to watch.

Jack Bird started that, dodging a couple of tackles after being put into space by Tyrell Sloan on the right edge before flopping a pass back that pinballed around for a bit.

It lands with Hunt, who has a few metres to the line but a stack of Tigers defenders in front of him. He grubbers, chases, touches down and somersaults to finish. Love it.

Dragons 24 Tigers 0

Not good signs at all for the Tigers, Justin Olam limping off, and I mean limping. Early word is it was a hamstring as he ran downfield. Less than ideal.

Justin Olam has limped off in Mudgee.Credit: Getty

But it does bring Lachlan Galvin into the game as the Tigers switch their edge defence around already. The experience of Aidan Sezer is switched to the right. Only an obstruction against Jaydn Su’A stops a try being awarded to Moses Suli down the same edge. Real danger signs for the Tigers.

Dragons big man Blake Lawrie is still off with that rib injury.

Dragons 18 Tigers 0

And another. Mika Ravalawa, well we’re used to seeing that. But that’s a third try in three minutes. Again, just barging through Tigers defenders. Concerning stuff for Benji. Lucky it’s only trials.

But that’s twice in a couple of minutes that the Dragons have rattled through them on the goal line. Moses Suli again set that up with a strong carry and quick play the ball before Ravalawa just ran at a rate of knots straight into Isaiah Papali’i and Starford To’a, shoving his way over the tryline.

Zac Lomax is promptly belted from the kick-off by Justin ‘the Jukebox’ Olam, and promptly straight back to his feet.

Dragons 18 Tigers 0

Long break by Tyrell Sloan from a kick return, there’s a sight and a half. He goes 60-odd metres before Jahream Bula rounds him up.

The set breaks down before Kyle Flanagan kicks for… Ben Hunt… yep Ben Hunt, to leap those little legs off the ground for a high ball.

Ben Hunt is on the scoreboard early.Credit: Getty

He manages to out jump Aidan Sezer, or even wrestle the ball from him, for the first try.

A second follows in very quick time. The Dragons are on the march and after a set-restart, Jacob Liddle turns a trimmed down Moses Suli underneath and over the line from close range. Blake Lawrie off with a rib injury.

Dragons 12 Tigers 0