NRL Round 1: What we liked and disliked from every game
The first round of the 2023 NRL season is in the books and we’ve already got plenty to talk about.
Massive underdogs pre-game, the Dolphins shocked the Roosters to score a big victory in their first ever NRL appearance.
Elsewhere, the reigning premiers were knocked off at home, we had a couple nailbiters and HIAs were back on the menu.
Here’s what we liked and disliked from every game of the opening round.
Melbourne Storm 16 – 12 Parramatta Eels
What we liked: Harry Grant coming up clutch after quiet start
The scheming little No.9 was kept out of the action in the first half as Parramatta controlled possession and defended tightly around the ruck. Grant had just one run in the opening 40, before he came alive in the second stanza to guide his side home.
It was his pass out of the ruck that put Josh King on the outside of a defender, with the lock hitting and spinning in contact before offloading to Nick Meaney to score the Melbourne’s first points of 2023.
From there, Grant took the game by the scruff of the neck and even though his opposite number helped to put Parramatta back ahead with his own sharp work out of dummy-half, it was the Queenslander who had the last laugh.
Just about everyone expected him to feed the ball to either Jahrome Hughes or Cameron Munster for a field goal attempt in golden point, but he had other ideas when he scampered through some tired markers before touching down.
His try helped Craig Bellamy keep his incredible unbeaten run in the opening round intact and provided plenty of evidence that even without Ryan Papenhuyzen, the Storm will remain a dangerous prospect.
What we disliked: Parramatta’s lack of impact off the bench
Parramatta were in control for much of the contest without actually making their domination count on the scoreboard. And it came back to haunt them.
They had more possession and a better completion rate, but they struggled to make the metres through the middle in the same way the Storm was able to.
With Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard they have two of the best in their position up front, but it was clear once they went off the yardage game proved tough to come by.
Gillard clocked 175 running metres while Paulo made 175. However, Jirah Momoisea made just 18m, Wiremu Greig 50m and Makahesi Makatoa was not even used.
The only player who provided something was Jack Murchie but, in the end, it wasn’t enough as the Eels lost in heartbreaking fashion.
New Zealand Warriors 20 – 12 Newcastle Knights
What we liked: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad gives the Warriors some defensive grit
There was a lot to admire about the New Zealand Warriors during their victory over Newcastle. They overcame a tough start to grind their way back into the game and it was off the back of their defence that they eventually prevailed.
The man who led from the front in this regard was their fullback who came up with two massive defensive efforts to help ease his side to victory.
The Knights were pushing to regain the lead and had enjoyed a sustained spell of possession deep in New Zealand’s territory. And when Kalyn Ponga pulled off one of his trademark steps and galloped towards the line, it seemed inevitable he would put his side back in front.
Yet Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad came to the rescue besides the posts, executing a perfect one-on-one tackle to hold Ponga up.
Along with another crucial intervention on his own line and his try, it was pretty much a dream return for the No.1.
MORE: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad inspirational in New Zealand’s victory over Newcastle
What we disliked: Newcastle fail to take advantage of hot start
The Knights’ game plan was obvious from the get-go. It was a no-thrills brand of footy that focused on tucking the ball under the wing and making metres through the middle, then letting Ponga and Jackson Hastings thread their attack together.
In the opening stages, it worked a treat with the Saifiti twins laying the platform and Newcastle establishing early dominance.
They had registered a single offload by half time and finished with just three for the game, as they repeatedly made one man off the ruck carries to roll down the field.
Playing in this risk adverse manner got them in front on the scoreboard and they then showed a lot of improvement when defending their goal-line with wave after wave of attack being repelled during one particular period in the second half.
But last year’s worst defensive side eventually buckled as all of their hard work came undone in a disappointing loss.
Brisbane Broncos 13 – 12 Penrith Panthers
What we liked: Brisbane’s improved defence helps spring a shock
“I think it’s the first time in a couple of years I’ve seen so much resilience on their try line in defence,” Gordon Tallis said on Fox League after the Broncos shocked the reigning premiers in their own backyard.
This sentiment was echoed by the Brisbane coach himself, as Kevin Walters declared it the best defensive performance that he’d ever seen from his side.
“It was one of our things from last year that we wanted to be better at…our defence as a whole was really good,” Walters said.
“Particularly on our try line. I haven’t seen a Broncos team defend like that- well, that’s the best defence since I’ve been back at the club.”
Not content with kicking the winning field goal, the captain Adam Reynolds also put his body on the line to hold up Jarome Luai minutes from the end. It allowed Brisbane to hold on in a nail-biting finale for their first away win over Penrith in 14 years.
What we disliked: Penrith’s left-edge struggles
For so long a pattern of play became inevitable. Jarome Luai onto Viliame Kikau who would either tear a hole through the defence himself and plant the ball down for a try, or it’d be dished off to the centre or winger to go over in the corner.
But that left-edge, stripped from Kikau’s departure and Taylan May’s season-ending knee injury, looked pedestrian against the Broncos.
Kotoni Staggs seemed to have his own personal vendetta on the Penrith five-eighth, constantly jamming him in defence and shutting down the play when there was even a whiff of danger.
The left edge that was once so feared around the league has come back down to earth and while it may be attributed to rustiness or unfamiliarity, it will be near the top of Ivan Cleary’s agenda in fixing as the season goes on.
Manly Sea Eagles 31 – 6 Canterbury Bulldogs
What we liked: Manly expose under-strength Bulldogs
All eyes were on Tom Trbojevic in his return for the Sea Eagles, but it was the side’s forward pack who proved the major difference against the Bulldogs.
NSW Origin hopeful Haumole Olakau’atu got the better in a personal and heated battle with Fijian superstar Viliame Kikau on the edge, running for over 120 metres and causing plenty of headaches for the Canterbury defence, as well as making over 20 tackles without a miss.
Elsewhere, Sean Keppie (141 metres, 21 tackles) and Ethan Bullemor (126 metres, 20 tackes) both tore shreds through a fragile opposition middle-forward rotation, with the visitors missing the likes of Tevita Pangai Junior and Luke Thompson.
And in a crucial moment that ultimately sealed the game, Taniela Paseka – who also ran for over 160 metres – burst through some flimsy defence to set up the second of three tries for skipper Daly Cherry-Evans under the posts.
The attention was always going to be on Trbojevic, who played the majority of the game and picked up the opening try of the clash – but it was the big boppers who Anthony Seibold will likely be most impressed with.
What we disliked: Flanagan sin-bin proves costly
The decision to sin-bin Kyle Flanagan was the first real officiating howler of the season – and it proved extremely costly for the Bulldogs.
The 24-year-old was forced off the field for five minutes either side of the half-time break by referee Grant Atkins, following a controversial moment involving the returning Tom Trbojevic.
In chasing a scrappy kick back towards his own goal-line, Flanagan became tangled with Trbojevic and was ruled to have pushed the Sea Eagles fullback in the back and committing a professional foul in the process.
Less than a minute later, the hosts would score in the corner through Reuben Garrick, taking a six-point lead into the break that Canterbury were never able to recover from.
Manly would score again just after half-time due to a costly error from Viliame Kikau while the visitors were down to 12 men and take their lead to two converted tries.
“It is hardly a touch from Flanagan,” Michael Ennis said on Fox League commentary.
“It is nothing more than laying a hand on him. There is no push from Flanagan. A professional foul, that is ridiculous…that’s a tough call.”
While there were plenty of issues for the new-look Dogs outfit, this poor decision from the officials didn’t help their cause when the game was in the balance.
North Queensland Cowboys 19 – 18 Canberra Raiders
What we liked: Cowboys spine prove the difference
In a thrilling first-round clash, North Queensland’s star-studded spine has helped them to a one-point victory over the Raiders.
Scott Drinkwater crossed for a first-half double and picked up where he left off in 2022, finishing with 120 run metres and setting the stadium alight.
Reece Robson was tough as nails through the middle of the field with 27 tackles and 80 run metres, as well as setting up a try, while Maroons playmaker Tom Dearden was electric with ball in hand.
And the most experienced of the four players in Chad Townsend came in clutch, forcing two dropouts and sinking the hearts of Canberra with a field goal in the dying stages.
North Queensland were impressive in stages but with some key players sidelined in Heilum Luki and Luciano Leilua, their depth in the forwards was certainly tested as the Raiders mounted a second-half comeback.
What we disliked: Rapana’s disciplinary issues remain
Wherever trouble is, Jordan Rapana is usually involved.
The veteran winger was penalised three times in the loss to the Cowboys – with the side conceding six in total – and was lucky to stay on the field after a shoulder charge on Scott Drinwkater.
Canberra also made 10 errors during the one-point loss, with the discipline a clear issue for Ricky Stuart’s side moving forward.
Harley Smith-Shields had a tough return to the top grade with three mistakes on his own, while Jack Wighton had some forgettable moments.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 27 – 18 Cronulla Sharks
What we liked: Lachy Ilias starts with a bang
Lachlan Ilias, take a bow.
In what was perhaps his finest hour to date in the top grade, the young halfback was in just about everything for the Bunnies from the get-go and came up with clutch plays throughout the 80 minutes.
Ilias produced a phenomenal try-saving tackle very early in the game before opening the scoring for the Bunnies and remained a focal point of the side’s attack as they piled on four tries.
Ilias finished with two linebreak assists, one linebreak and one try assist, as well as some brutal stops in defence.
The 22-year-old continues to grow in confidence in the No.7 jumper and looks to be every bit the long-term prospect that Rabbitohs officials saw from a young age when they let Adam Reynolds walk away from the club 18 months ago.
What we disliked: Cronulla’s ball control
After piling on the points and looking very slick in the trials, Cronulla were well below their best with ball in hand on Saturday night at home against the Bunnies.
The hosts completed at just 64 per cent in their nine-point defeat, coming up with 14 errors throughout the night.
It was a very uncharacteristic performance from the Craig Fitzgibbon-coached side, with key spine members Braydon Trindall and Blayke Brailey coming up with two errors apiece.
Wade Graham was sin-binned late in the game in one of five penalties and gifting the Rabbitohs the match-sealing try through Campbell Graham out wide.
Cronulla certainly had their opportunities and stuck with Souths for a lengthy period of the game, but their costly errors and ill-discipline ended their chances of retribution following their semi-final capitulation in 2022.
Dolphins 28 – 18 Sydney Roosters
What we liked: Dolphins experience sets the tone
A brilliant Felise Kaufusi led the Dolphins to their first victory in the NRL, setting the tone and getting his side back in the game during a crucial moment.
The former Melbourne Storm player laid out two players from the Roosters, causing a spillage and creating scoring opportunities.
Kaufsi’s aggression was met by teammates, who all lifted during the second half to ensure the win was theirs.
Former Bulldogs hooker Jeremy Marshall-King linked up with halves Sean O’Sullivan and Isaiya Katoa seamlessly, whilst veteran forwards Jesse Bromwich and Mark Nicholls joined in on the act as the club made history.
“It’s hard not to get excited about this,” Paul Vautin said on Nine’s coverage.
“You have to try to remain impartial.
“The fans have gone nuts. Look at the players — they’re loving it.”
The Dolphins were able to rally and caused a massive upset, taking the points 28 to 12.
What we disliked: Selection error? Roosters can’t buck unfortunate trend
Sydney Roosters’ opened their 2023 season with a disappointing loss against the Dolphins, which could have been avoided with better team selections.
The Roosters played Drew Hutchison at the centre whilst Corey Allan was on the bench.
This move wasn’t ideal in the hot conditions in Brisbane and would’ve benefitted more so from another forward.
Another unfortunate admission the Roosters will face is starting their campaigns in terrible fashion under coach Trent Robinson.
Since 2013 when Robinson took over the role from Brian Smith, the club has won three round one clashes, failing to begin the year on a strong note.
A new history starts now in the Stan Original Documentary Series Dawn Of The Dolphins. Premiering tomorrow, only on Stan
Wests Tigers 10 – 22 Gold Coast Titans
What we liked: Titans defence on song
Gold Coast’s defence was strong on Sunday, holding the West Tigers to a score of 10.
Setting up an early lead and sitting well and truly in the driver’s seat, the Titans knew that the Tigers were going to come.
Following two consecutive tries from the home side, the margin was cut back to eight despite some good defensive efforts.
The Titans managed to limit the offensive pushes from the Tigers and helped convert that into their own scoring opportunities.
What we disliked: Tigers’ missed opportunities
The West Tigers were rallying in the second half and were looking like mounting a comeback after trailing 18-2.
Consecutive tries was looking like setting up a close finish but costly errors and poor goal-kicking conversation killed off any chance the home team had in clawing back the margin.
Kicker Adam Doueli failed to convert two opportunities in the second half as well as multiple mistakes from experienced players like Daine Laurie, Charlie Staines and Tommy Talau.
To add further salt in the wound, the club struggled with a completion rate below 65 per cent on the night.
The Tigers will be kicking themselves that they dropped the opening game of the season on their home turf at Leichhardt Oval.