NRL Round 1 results and live updates: Cowboys demolish Dolphins in Queensland derby

Joshua Mayne

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Tom Naghten

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Mark Molyneux

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NRL Round 1 results and live updates: Cowboys demolish Dolphins in Queensland derby image

NRL action has returned to Australia after a season-opening double-header in Las Vegas.

Newcastle Knights were favourites to get off to a winning start on Thursday night, but the Canberra Raiders secured a stunning upset.

The underdogs have continued to thrive this round, with the Cronulla Sharks completing a second-half comeback against the New Zealand Warriors, before the Melbourne Storm kept the Penrith Panthers scoreless.

Parramatta proved too good for Canterbury at home as they kicked their campaign off in style with an unheralded Eels player grabbing the headlines. 

MORE: Spencer Leniu pleads guilty to Ezra Mam racial slur as Roosters apologise

A Tyrell Sloan hat-trick then helped the Dragons off to a flying start under Shane Flanagan as they claimed a big win over the Titans on the Gold Coast.

Cowboys demolish Dolphins in Queensland derby

Round 1 came to a close with a Queensland derby, and it was a rather one-sided affair.

The North Queensland Cowboys piled on seven tries – five of which came in the first half – to beat the Dolphins 43-18.

Zac Laybutt starred in the centres for the Cowboys, bagging two tries and running for 183m.

There were undeniably high hopes for the Dolphins coming into this season, particularly with some of their high-level recruits.

Coach Wayne Bennett wasn't overly concerned following the match but believes they need to tighten up on fifth-and-last defence. 

"Fifth-and-last plays [disappointed me the most], they scored four or five tries off that ... they found us out on fifth-and-last plays, they didn't find us out in too many other areas if you look at the game," he said.

"We just had a bad day."

Shane Flanagan bites back after Dragons' perfect start

New St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan took the chance to have a crack at the club's critics following his side's 28-4 away win over the Titans.

Tyrell Sloan starred with three tries in the team-lifting victory.

After the game, Flanagan mentioned that many predictions had his team down to collect the wooden spoon in 2024.

“I was sitting back quite happy that people were tipping us to come last because it won’t happen,” Flanagan said.

“It’s been a really good pre-season and the players have worked their butts off... especially defensively, they way I want to play the game they needed to be fitter, faster, stronger and they’ve worked really hard so credit to them and credit to the staff.”

The Dragons next face another Queensland road trip, this time to face the Dolphins in round 2.

  • Tom Naghten

Bryce Cartwright stars for Eels in big win over Dogs

Bryce Cartwright had a day out at CommBank Stadium as the backrower starred for a rampant Parramatta side against the Dogs.

The 29-year-old started on the right edge before shifting into lock when J’maine Hopgood was given a breather and played brilliantly in both roles. 

Cartwright got on the scoresheet for the first time in the afternoon when he strolled over from close range after a quick Junior Paulo play-the-ball left the Dogs’ defence in disarray.

He then grabbed his second in the second half to stretch Parramatta’s advantage to 20-0 as they eventually cruised to a 26-8 win. 

Cartwright finished with two tries, two linebreaks, four tackle busts and just shy of 100 running metres.

  • Mark Molyneux

Storm beat Panthers, maintain Round 1 win streak

A stellar defensive display from the Storm guided them to an 8-0 win over the Panthers in Melbourne.

It was a cagey and error-riddled opening stanza, although the home side snuck ahead with a penalty.

Reimis Smith found the line in the second half courtesy of a signature athletic jump from Xavier Coates.

From that stage on, Penrith were relentless, but Melbourne somehow held on. 

Soni Luke did cross for the reigning premiers, but the try was ruled out for obstruction.

The result means the Storm have now won their past 22 Round 1 matches in the NRL. 

While there was plenty to be desired in terms of attack, Craig Bellamy was pleased with his side's effort.

"I don't think we played that well to be quite honest but we were really gutsy," he said.

"There were a lot of tackles to be made in our 20-metre area and we looked like we were out on our feet a few times but we found a way to keep turning up.

"We must have been in our 20-metre zone there for about eight or 10 minutes with about 15 minutes to go.

"We had some blokes out on their feet, but we just kept finding a way.

"The guys backing each other and the effort was tremendous. We defended unbelievably."

  • Joshua Mayne

Sharks complete comeback in New Zealand

It is never easy to play in New Zealand, but the Sharks have recorded an impressive away win against the Warriors.

Down 12-0 early in the first half, Craig Fitzgibbon's side didn't concede another point for the remainder of the match and bagged three tries to snatch victory, 18-12.

It was a professional performance, particularly considering they were crushed 44-12 in the same fixture last year.

The Sharks' backline stood tall, with all of their tries coming from those positions – Jesse Ramien, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Siosifa Talakai.

  • Joshua Mayne

Ricky Stuart questions Hudson Young sin bin for Kalyn Ponga hit

Raiders enforcer Hudson Young spent 10 minutes in the bin after a late shot on Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga.

The passage of play was initially reviewed because a try was scored by Tyson Gamble.

While the four-pointer was ruled out, Young's hit on Ponga was picked up.

Referee Todd Smith described the incident as "totally unnecessary" as he gave Young his marching orders.

However, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart had a different point of view.

"Well, what was the sin-binning for? Pushing?" Stuart said post-match

"The buzzword is 'discretionary', isn’t it? So it was a discretionary decision.

"But he shouldn’t have even been ... I mean yeah penalise him ... but if we are going to start penalising people for that we are going to be playing a lot of games with 12 [players]. 

"But if that is a sin-binning offence and that is a week off then it has got to be consistent every week and every game, but it won’t be.

"And that’s not having a crack at anyone. The referees have got a very difficult job. But I don’t believe that is a sin-binning offence."

  • Joshua Mayne

Fogarty leads Raiders to stunning upset over Knights

Jamal Fogarty spearheaded an impressive 28-12 win for Canberra on Thursday evening.

The Raiders halfback was exceptional with the boot, regularly pushing the home side deep into their own 50.

It was a cagey start to the match before new recruit Zac Hosking crossed for the visitors in the 25th minute, despite Hudson Young being sent to the sin bin just moments earlier.

Tyson Frizell answered for the Knights shortly after, but Canberra took over in the second half.

They remained disciplined defensively and built a commanding lead following tries from Danny Levi, Xavier Savage and Jordan Rapana.

Jackson Hastings grabbed a try in the late stages for Newcastle, but Young responded to put the game to bed.

  • Joshua Mayne

Joey Manu flick pass stuns Vegas crowd

Brisbane and Reece Walsh struggled to get into the game in Vegas with the Roosters easing to a 20-10 win. 

The Broncos fullback attempted to change the game when he flicked a dazzling rainbow pass out to the wing, before he linked with Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo on a left side switch to score his first try of the game.

"He has no fear of failure," Mick Ennis enthused on Fox League.

"It’s so much more than just blistering speed; he is a highly intelligent footy player.

"He skates on the side of risk a little bit more than conservative.

"He’s come here tonight, and things weren’t going to plan for Brisbane but he’s said, ‘leave it to me baby, we’re in Vegas’ and all of a sudden the Broncos are back in the game."

However, the Broncos star - who was perhaps lucky to avoid a sin-bin for a shoulder charge - had no answer for a bit of Joey Manu magic which left those in Vegas and people watching around the world stunned. 

The New Zealander backing up his intercept try from the first half with a left arm flick pass to extend the Roosters' lead. 

"There’s a magic show on every corner in Vegas, Joey might stick around here for a little while and have a side hustle going to show kids how to do that pass," Andrew Voss said on Fox League.

"People said this wouldn’t work. We are putting this beautiful thing called rugby league on show and our athletes are living up to expectation."

  • Mark Molyneux 

Jacob Gagai enjoys dream debut moment but Bunnies lose Vegas opener

Jacob Gagai has enjoyed a dream debut with the 28-year-old crossing for a try during his side’s season-opener against Manly in Las Vegas.

Gagai was called into the side after a host of injuries had depleted South Sydney’s backline stocks with Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Tyrone Munro and Izaac Thompson all sidelined for Round 1.

The Bunnies were level-pegging with the Sea Eagles after an absorbing and brutal first half an hour but they then put their noses in front against the run of play when a bullet pass from Latrell Mitchell fed Gagai.

The winger brushed off an attempted tackle from Jaxson Paulo and touched down to spark jubilant scenes amongst his teammates as the second-eldest debutant in the club’s history experienced a fairytale moment.

However, the Bunnies were unable to hold onto the lead with Jason Saab picking off an intercept from Mitchell as Manly went into the break leading 12-10.

Mitchell threatened to take the game away from the Sea Eagles only for Anthony Seibold's men to wrestle back momentum and steamroll their opponents for a historic win. 

  • Mark Molyneux 

Peter V'landys reaffirms Las Vegas five-year plan

Ahead of the first match, ARL Chairman Peter V'landys reaffirmed the NRL's long-term commitment to setting up the game in Vegas and America. 

"We’re here for the next five years – we won’t be deviating from that plan," V'landys told Fox League ahead of kick-off.

"It’s been a pretty reasonably cheap exercise for what we’ve been able to achieve.

"The major goal is to have one game a week on Fox 1 all season. We start with these two games and hopefully there will be more to come."

  • Mark Molyneux 

Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe absent from NRL Vegas opener

Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe won't be attending the opening match of the Vegas double-header after the Hollywood stars were major supporters of the NRL's push into America. 

The Rabbitohs owner, Crowe, was already confirmed to miss the game due to filming commitments but Jackman also won't be on hand to watch his Sea Eagles at Allegiant Stadium. 

The Wolverine actor, who is a diehard Manly fan, was originally set to attend as a VIP but has since left Vegas due to "unforeseen circumstances". 

  • Mark Molyneux 

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NRL Round 1 draw and results 

Date/Time Match Venue
Sat. March 2nd (1.30pm) Rabbitohs 24 def. by Sea Eagles 36 Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
Sat March. 2nd (3.30pm) Broncos 10 def. by Roosters 20 Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
Thu. March 7th (8pm) Knights 12 def. by Raiders 28 McDonald Jones Stadium
Fri. March 8th (6pm) Warriors 12 def. by Sharks 16 Go Media Stadium
Fri. March 8th (8.05pm) Storm 8 def. Panthers 0 AAMI Park
Sat. March 9th (5.30pm) Eels 26 def. Bulldogs 8 CommBank Stadium
Sat. March 9th (7.35pm) Titans 4 def. by Dragons 28 Cbus Super Stadium
Sun. March 10th (4.05pm) Dolphins 18 def. by Cowboys 43 Suncorp Stadium
BYE Wests Tigers  

Joshua Mayne

Joshua Mayne Photo

Joshua Mayne is a content producer for The Sporting News Australia based in Sydney, Australia. He has previously worked as a newsreader at 2SER and journalist at Ministry of Sport. While Joshua’s main passions are football, rugby league, basketball and F1, he will watch any sport that's on. He is still waiting for Arsenal to win the Premier League again. 

 

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.