NRL Round 26: Live SuperCoach scores, analysis for Eels vs Dragons, Dolphins vs Broncos & Sharks vs Warriors
Shaun Johnson ended his NRL career on a high on a day of crazy results and big SuperCoach scores. Discover who the winners and losers were here.
It’s been a huge super Saturday of rugby league with some mammoth results leading into finals.
Discover who the winners and losers were here.
SUPERCOACH WINNERS
Dylan Brown (153pts) – Brown was instrumental in Parramatta’s dominant performance, and he collected a SuperCoach score to match. The Eels five-eighth has been among the best in the competition over the past few weeks.
Maika Sivo (137pts) – Sivo had a field day on the left wing, finishing with a hat-trick. The giant Fijian was unstoppable and benefitted from his side’s intent to go left.
Tyrell Sloan (143pts) – Sloan came to life with the rest of his team in the final 10 minutes and soared over 100 points with some great linebreaks.
Zac Lomax (109pts) – Lomax scored a try and went a perfect six from six with the boot, getting up to a century late in the game.
Shaun Lane (94pts) – Lane was named at prop but started on the left edge and scored a great try, making it tries in back to back games.
Herbie Farnworth (174pts) – An enormous game from the former Bronco. Two tries, two try assists, three line breaks and 10 tackle busts.
Jake Averillo (120pts) – Mirrored Farnworth with two tries and assisted with a couple of others.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (107pts) – The speed demon toyed with Brisbane’s defence. He scooped up a dropped ball to go the length of the field while brushed off defenders on another occasion in front of the tryline.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (101pts) – Three tries and two line breaks, he was the beneficiary of some of Shaun Johnson’s handy work.
Shaun Johnson (99pts) – It was vintage Johnson. Why is this guy retiring? Nothing short of exceptional and carried the Warriors on his back and to the win.
Taine Tuaupiki (84pts) – The Warriors fullback was energetic all night.
SUPERCOACH LOSERS
Mikaele Ravalava (44pts) – Ravalava was a late inclusion but had an afternoon to forget, getting terrorised by Maika Sivo in the first half.
Max Faegai (6pts) – Came off injured early before he could make an impact.
Daniel Keir (5pts) – Only came on for six minutes and didn’t get enough ball to rack up a decent score.
Bryce Cartwright (20pts) – Cartwright was on the field for the entire game but couldn’t get in on the scoring party despite his team nearing a half-century.
Kotoni Staggs (19pts) – Was forced from the field with a quad injury and couldn’t return.
Jordan Riki (26pts) – Three errors on a really quiet night for the Bronco.
Adam Reynolds (16pts) – The usually reliable playmaker was forced from the field for a period due to a HIA.
Briton Nikora (48pts) – A quiet night but he wasn’t the only one who went downhill for the Sharks in the second half.
Sione Katoa (39pts) – Played 80 minutes but didn’t have the impact coaches would have been looking for.
REPORT: WARRIORS 30-28 SHARKS
-Martin Gabor
It turns out there are fairy tales in rugby league.
Hollywood script writers have spent decades trying to nail endings like this, but in the end it was as simple as a 15-metre double cut-out pass by Shaun Johnson as the legendary halfback said farewell to rugby league with a miracle play in the final minute as his side stunned the Sharks 30-28.
All eyes in the Shire were on Nicho Hynes in his first game back after almost two months, but instead it was a former Sharks halfback who stole the show as Johnson dazzled fans one last time with a performance that couldn’t be scripted.
Everyone who loves the game has spent countless hours on YouTube watching his touch footy highlights, with Johnson’s footwork and absurd dummies delighting fans and embarrassing defenders for more than a decade.
It’s been a horror year for Johnson and the Warriors, but he had the last laugh as he drifted to the right, cut out two players with a bullet pass and found Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who crashed over in the corner for his third try of the second half.
The crowd was stunned apart from a section of Warriors supporters who cheered on their champion one last time as he produced one more play that will entertain YouTube users for years to come.
It was fitting that he bamboozled several defenders one more time when the retiring halfback threw a couple of dummies, deceived Oregon Kaufusi and linked up with halves partner Luke Metcalf who opened the scoring.
It was a passing of the baton moment, but Metcalf has big boots to fill given everything Johnson has delivered for the Warriors, the Sharks and the Kiwis.
GLASS HALF EMPTY
As one superstar playmaker said goodbye to the NRL, another made his long-awaited comeback as Nicho Hynes returned on a costly night for the Sharks who can kiss a top-two finish goodbye.
Hynes would have wanted a nice and easy return to the NRL in his first game back from injury in nearly two months, and everything was going to script with the Sharks up 22-4 at the break.
Hynes had already laid on a try for Tom Hazelton before the prop returned the favour, only for the four points to be wiped off for an obstruction.
It was a different role for the returning Sharks star who played second fiddle to Braydon Trindall who set up two first-half-tries, with Hynes happy to sit back in his new role at five-eighth.
There were some dazzling plays by the hosts but this was a wasted opportunity as they now prepare to travel to Manly next week wondering how they let this one slip.
COSTLY BIN
The home fans are always angry with the officials, but their fury rose to new heights in the second half when Kayal Iro was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Watene-Zelezniak who didn’t leave the field for an HIA.
The Warriors scored twice while he was off the field, but the decision seemed harsh.
ONCE WERE WARRIORS
They got within 80 minutes of a spot in last year’s grand final, but the Warriors are now on holidays after an underwhelming year.
It’s been a fall from grace for a team that had such high hopes at the start of the year and has enjoyed unprecedented support with all of their home games sold out this season.
But they gave their fans one good memory to hold onto over summer before they open the 2025 season in Las Vegas without Johnson and Addin Fonua-Blake.
FULLTIME - Warriors 30-28
Shaun Johnson ends his career in the most stunning way.
It’s like we are all watching a movie scripted for the Kiwi superstar who is set to retire.
In his last seconds in rugby league Johnson has thrown a cut-out ball to the winger Watene-Zelezniak who scored to put the Warriors back in front.
68th minute - Cronulla 28-26
Samuel Stonestreet has a double for the third week in a row and the Sharks are back in the lead again.
This is shaping to be a blockbuster finish. Could we be about to see another golden point game?
66th minute - Warriors 26-22
The Warriors are in front! Marcelo Montoya has crossed on the left edge. The Warriors cannot make the top eight and Cronulla were in complete control of the game in the first half.
Shaun Johnson may go out a winner.
62ng minute - Cronulla 22-20
Kayal Iro has been sin binned for a head high tackle, leaving the Sharks with one less player on the field and the Warriors have scored through Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
The conversion has put New Zealand within two points!
55th minute - Cronulla 22-14
Hold your horses we have a game!
Shaun Johnson is refusing to go out easy and is producing some magic moments. This time he drew the Sharks defence to him, put in a kick in behind from 20m out and gave Watene-Zelezniak a double in the space of five minutes.
50th minute - Cronulla 22-10
Cronulla has had two tries disallowed by the bunker in the past few minutes.
The first was one scored by Nicho Hynes while the second was scored by Samuel Stonestreet following a huge run by Daniel Atkinson who pounced on a loose ball.
Warriors player Marata Niukore has left the field with a HIA after slipping before being takcled by Hazelton who has been put on report.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored on the right wing on the back of the penalty.
HALF TIME - Cronulla 22-4
Thomas Hazeltonhas decided he wants in on the action because the Warriors have gone to sleep since scoring the first try of the match.
The big bopper couldn’t be stopped as he bulldozed his way over the tryline in the 37th minute and New Zealand have some major issues.
34th minute - Cronulla 16-4
Kayal Iro has extended Cronulla’s lead, bursting through to score on the left edge.
Briton Nikora got the Sharks on the front foot with a strong run before Trindall put the ball on a platter for Iro.
Two minutes later Samuel Stonestreet scored following a huge run by Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey who broke the line and set the try in motion.
12th minute - Cronulla 6-4
Teig Wilton has crossed to put Cronulla back in the hunt and it came on the back of some slick ball playing by Sharks halfback Brayden Trindall.
Trindall shaped to go wide and double pumped before going short to Wilton who broke the defensive line virtually untouched.
11th minute - Warriors 4-0
Shaun Johnson has produced some vintage style on his way to sending fellow playmaker Luke Metcalf over the tryline.
Johnson jumped down the short side, threw a huge dummy and broke the line before sending the ball back inside to Metcalf who actually started his career with Cronulla’s National Youth Championship team.
SHARKS V WARRIORS LATE MAIL
Nicho Hynes will make his return from injury to play at five-eighth while Daniel Atkinson moves to the centres. Siosifa Talakai is out with a calf injury wihle Sione Katoa returns from concussion.
For the Warriors Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will miss the game after failing a HIA last week.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will shift to centre and Taine Tuapiki will be at fullback.
FULL TIME - Dolphins 40-6
The Dolphins have moved into eighth and have put themselves in line to make the finals.
For Dolphins the premiership dream is still alive but for Brisbane it’s all but over after a disappointing performance.
Fox Sports commentator Cooper Cronk labelled it the best win in the Dolphins history.
66th minute - Dolphins 40-6
Farnworth has a double to his name and he deserves it. He has been nothing short of outstanding for the Dolphins who have absolutely buried Brisbane.
The former Bronco has assisted with two other tries on a huge night.
55th minute - Dolphins 36-6
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has brushed off three Broncos defenders to stroll over for another try.
Brisbane started this game with huge energy but now look totally sapped of confidence.
Somehow they have played the Dolphins into form.
47th minute - Dolphins 30-6
Herbie Farnworth has blazed through the Brisbane defensive line to score for the Dolphins.
The Dolphins shifted it to the right and Farnworth cut back on the inside to heap more misery on Brisbane.
44th minute - Dolphins 24-6
Staggs will not return tonight for Brisbane after suffering an injury to his right quadricep while Brendan Piakura has left the field with HIA.
HALFTIME - Dolphins 24-6
Farnworth and Averillo currently lead the SuperCoach points tally for the game at the break while Pat Carrigan is the best of the Broncos in third.
33rd minute - Dolphins 24-6
Herbie Farnworth has strolled through the Broncos defensive line and it’s resulted in Jake Averillo’s second try of the night.
This is on the verge of getting really ugly for Brisbane who had the top eight waiting for them going into this game. Instead the Dolphins look set to edge their way into eighth.
Kotoni Staggs has also suffered a groin injury and is currently being assessed.
30th minute - Dolphins 18-6
Kaufusi has returned and now Broncos big man Xavier Willison has been sent to the bin for a high tackle.
This could be bleak for Brisbane should the Dolphins pile on the points going into halftime.
28th minute - Dolphins 18-6
An error from the Broncos 10m out from the tryline has opened the door for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to swoop in and charge down the field with his electric pace to score.
Tristan Sailor did his best to catch him but noone was ever going to get him.
It’s fair to say Brisbane has wasted this period with an extra man.
On the plus side Reynolds has passed his HIA test.
24th minute - Dolphins 12-6
Pat Carrigan has used brute force to score on the back of a Jesse Arthurs breakaway.
Arthurs broke the line and put the Broncos on the front foot to hit back and ensure the team makes the most of the Dolphins time with a man down.
Carrigan doesn’t score a lot of tries. It is his second of the season and fourth of his career.
He averages 142m per game, the most of any lock forward this season while he also averages 32 tackles and 72 minutes on the field.
20th minute - Dolphins 12-0
With a man down the Dolphins have managed to stretch its lead to 12-0 on the back of a set play that finished with Jake Averillo scoring.
17th minute - Dolphins 6-0
Felise Kaufusi has been sent to the sin bin and put on report for a high shot on Brisbane playmaker Adam Reynolds.
Brisbane were on the attack and Kaufusi rushed up on Reynolds before the bunker determind that his shoulder made contact with the Broncos head.
Reynolds has been taken from the field to be assessed with a category two head knock and he took the opportunity to verbally spray Kaufusi as they both left the field.
13th minute - Dolphins 6-0
Both teams have been evenly poised throughout the early stages, with high octane footy mixed with some despearte defence.
But a knock-on by Kotoni Staggs provided the Dolpins the best chance of the game so far and Brisbane were unable to hold out their opposition so close to the line.
Jamayne Isaako was the man to cross in the right corner for the Dolphins.
DOLPHINS V BRONCOS LATE MAIL
Dolpins coach Wayne Bennett has moved the chess pieces in the hope of sparking a resurgence by his side who holds hope of making the top eight.
Tevita Pangai Junior will be in the frontrow while Trai Fuller and Lachlan Hubner will play fullback and lock respectively.
Jeremy Marshall-King will make his return from a foot injury from the bench with Kenny Bromwich.
Kodi Nikorima, Josh Kerr and Jesse Bromich will miss due to concussion while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow goes to the centres.
Jake Averillo and Sean O’Sullivan will play in the halves.
For the Broncos Payne Haas will make his return from a footy injury while Xavier Willison moves to the bench. Deine Mariner will miss the game due to the flu, with Josiah Karapani coming on to the bench. Ben Te Kura will also play following Kobe Hetherington’s absence due to concussion.
MATCH REPORT: EELS 44-40 DRAGONS
-Jason Hosken
They can still claim the wooden spoon but with a major upset victory over St George Illawarra on Saturday afternoon, Parramatta has thrown the door wide open in the race for eighth spot.
The Dragons arrived at CommBank Stadium with their finals destiny in their own hands, but after the shock 44-40 loss, the darkest of clouds now hang over Shane Flanagan’s quest to end the merger club’s five-year finals drought.
Plagued by a poor points differential, not even a final round victory over Canberra is guaranteed to extend the Red-V’s season. Remaining results aside, Saints will now head to Kogarah in round 27 sitting outside the eight.
They had everything to play for but misfired from the start, and only saved face after the Eels logged off early and conceded a scarcely believable five tries in the final 10 minutes - including three to Mathew Feagai.
“We can’t get confused with only getting beat by four points, it was a disgraceful first half,” said a shell shocked Flanagan in the aftermath.
“That first 40 minutes just wasn’t acceptable.”
Nerves got the better of skipper Ben Hunt and Mikaele Ravalawa in the opening set, and when they gifted the Eels first short at points, Will Penisini immediately crossed to have the bulk of 21,623 raucous fans in the palm of his hand.
From there, the Dragons’ nightmare only got worse. With a mountain of turnovers, Parramatta enjoyed a 59 per cent share of possession and raced in another four tries to lead 26-6 at halftime.
Shaun Lane’s runaway try minutes before the break typified what snowballed into a major St George embarrassment.
And the rangy prop doubled down straight after the break, powering clear for Dylan Brown to score.
In good signs for the Eels ahead of next week’s spoon bowl at Campbelltown, with a licence to thrill Brown and halves partner Daejarn Asi shot the lights out. In a return to his silky best, Brown ran for over 130m and finished with three try assists.
“We got there in the end,” said Eels coach Trent Barrett. “And to put 44 points on a top-eight side is a good effort.
“And we know we’ve got to go to Campbelltown next week and win again, and hopefully we’ll get KelmaTuilagi back.”
Apart from a stunning fadeout, the only black mark on a magic day for the Eels was the early departure of skipper Clint Gutherson who was left nursing a strained quad.
SIVO CENTURY
Doubts of Maika Sivo’s future at the Eels beyond this season won’t go away, but the powerhouse Fijian only needed nine minutes to prove his value.
With little room to move, the winger carried two Dragons into the left corner to score a trademark four-pointer, his 100th in the blue and gold.
He added another two after the break and despite suspensions and poor form now has 15 this season from just 11 appearances, and after 114 games is just eight shy of club legend Brett Kenny in third place.
WHAT WAS THAT?
At 44-12 after 70 minutes, the majority of St George fans had already headed to the car park.
When they pick up tomorrow’s paper they’ll scarcely believe what unfolded. In a complete form reversal, Saints ran roughshod. Tyrell Sloan kicked into gear scoring two tries in a feeding frenzy that resulted in another three.
Thoughts of a serious comeback became real when they opted against lining up a conversion for the final try.
FULL TIME – Eels 44-40
The Dragons showed us in the final 10 minutes what they could have done if only they could hold onto the football.
Tyrell Sloan scored a fantastic long-range try after latching onto a Ben Hunt for his second of the afternoon.
Then more catch-up footy put Mathew Feagai across the line twice for a fifth try in the dying stages.
In the end Parramatta scored far too easily throughout the game and all but ended St George’s chances of finals with victory.
Dylan Brown, Maika Sivo and Sloan all easily eclipsed 100 SuperCoach points.
73rd minute – Eels 44-24
Another Dragons try, this time from fullback Tyrell Sloan. It won’t change the result but it will give the team confidence for next week.
70th minute – Eels 44-18
The Dragons have crossed for a consolation try through Mathew Feagai, though the zest left this contest a while ago.
The Eels are cruising to the finish line while St George turns its attention to the Raiders in round 27.
62nd minute – Eels 44-12
Maika Sivo has a hat-trick after bumping off a completely ineffective Toby Coachman tackle.
The Dragons have well and truly rolled over in the second half and it looks like they can’t wait for the full-time whistle.
56th minute – Eels 40-12
The faint whiff of a comeback has been blown away by Maika Sivo, soaring past 100 SuperCoach points with a simple try.
Parramatta is on track to score 50 and Dylan Brown could post the biggest SuperCoach total of the round.
50th minute – Eels 36-12
If St George can win from here it will be a miracle, however Zac Lomax has put the Dragons back on the right track with a try.
With half an hour to play there could be a few more twists to this game.
44th minute – Eels 36-6
Parramatta is scoring tries for fun and Dylan Brown is carving up the Dragons defence, slicing through the line and finding Clint Gutherson to score a second try within five minutes of the break.
42nd minute – Eels 30-6
The Eels picked up where they left off, scoring a fantastic try to kick off the second half.
This could get ugle for the Dragons if they don’t sort out their defence quickly.
HALFTIME – Eels 26-6
That could be St George’s season finished as Shaun Lane cruised through some terrible defence to stroll over for Parramatta’s fifth try.
Dylan Brown is rewarding his SuperCoach owners and he is well on his way to 100.
The Dragons have been far from convincing despite having everything to play for and the Eels have been electric.
31st minute – Eels 20-6
Another Dragons error in their own half invited Parramatta to attack and Jake Tago scored a spectacular try in the right corner.
There’s enough time left for the Dragons to come back, but with their season on the line they have been shocking.
23rd minute – Eels 16-6
A questionable pass has seen the Eels extend their lead through Clint Gutherson.
Mikaele Ravalava is having a shocker on the right wing and Maika Sivo is making him pay.
The Dragons can’t afford to keep leaking points so easily.
14th minute – Eels 10-6
This game always promised points and it’s certainly delivering. The Dragons responded with their first real attacking opportunity and a late Jaydn Su’a offload put Connor Muhleisen to score his first NRL try.
Zac Lomax tapped over the conversion to put his side back in the contest.
8th minute – Eels 10-0
No one’s going to stop Maika Sivo from there.
The giant Eels winger has crashed over for his side’s second try while the Dragons have barely touched the ball.
Signs aren’t looking good for St George and Daejarn Asi’s sweet conversion from the sideline makes things even worse.
3rd minute – Eels 4-0
That’s not the start the Dragons were hoping for.
St George has been penned on its own goal-line for the entire opening stages and eventually Will Penisini burst through the line after a great pass from Dylan Brown.
It’s another fast start for the Eels after stunning the Broncos in Brisbane last week.
Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle is a late scratching from Saturday’s crucial game against Parramatta.
Liddle was a late withdrawal due from the side after his wife went into labor on Saturday morning.
Connor Muhleisen will start at hooker, while Mikaele Ravalawa has been inserted into the run-on side and Lyhkan King-Togia onto the bench in place of Blake Lawrie.
Parramatta’s Jake Tago and Ofahiki Ogden will both start for the Eels, replacing Sean Russell and Kelma Tuilagi.
Zac Lomax may or may not be the best winger in the NRL but he’s certainly one of the best CTW in SuperCoach. The Dragons flyer has averaged a whopping 78.1 points on the season and has a 3RA of 83 and has a juicy matchup against the Parramatta, who are leaking more points to CTW’s than any other team in the competition.
Dylan Brown (27.5%) and Blaize Talagi (14.5%) are the next most owned Eels players, and owners will be hoping for big performances, with many likely needing to start or reserve these players this week.
In the Battle for Brisbane, SuperCoaches will be hoping for some big performances, with both sides desperate to keep their slim finals hopes alive, as the loser of this game will be ruled out of contention. Jamayne Isaako (22.2%) is the most owned player in this matchup, and owners will be hoping for an improved performances, after scoring just 20 points against Storm last week. Max Plath (16.9%), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (15.8%), and Pat Carrigan (15.2%) are the next most owned players in this game, while the 11.5% of SuperCoaches who held on to Payne Haas will be hoping he is a late inclusion.
In the final match of Super Saturday, all eyes will be on whether Nicho Hynes is a late inclusion into the side, as he makes his return from injury. He is in just 6.5% of teams heading into the round, but some may opt to bring him in if he is a confirmed starter. Otherwise SuperCoaches will be hoping Addin Fonua-Blake and Mitch Barnett can deliver one last big score before going on bye for the final round of the season.
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