Round 23 of the NRL kicked off on Thursday night with a clash between the Roosters and Sea Eagles, with Trent Robinson’s men keeping their slim hopes of playing finals footy alive with a 26-16 win over an injury-plagued Manly side.
Penrith and Warriors both kept their seasons rolling with important victories, before the Broncos continued their winning ways despite the absence of star halfback Adam Reynolds in an entertaining Saturday afternoon clash.
In Perth, Newcastle kept their winning streak alive recording a nail-biting 30-28 win over the Dolphins to climb into seventh place on the ladder, while the Sharks bounced back to record a vital win over a woeful Bunnies outfit.
The Eels just scraped by against a dedicated Dragons side on Sunday afternoon, whilst the Raiders picked up a narrow win at home over a persistent Tigers outfit.
The Sporting News has all the live updates, highlights, analysis and talking points from Round 23 below.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens takes aim at referees after latest defeat
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has criticised the NRL officials following a narrow loss to the Raiders, questioning how the opposition failed to give away a single six-again for the entire 80 minutes.
With a number of calls going against his side on Sunday afternoon - including a blatant forward pass that led to a Canberra four-pointer - Sheens was quizzed on whether he would be seeking clarification from the NRL.
"As I do every week," he responded.
“I was pretty disappointed with a few of the decisions. I’ve got to congratulate Rick for coaching a side that didn’t give away one extra set of six, according to our statistician, so very good coaching.
“The first try I was a bit disappointed, I feel there was a forward pass in that try. There was one in the second half and the first try, that lead up pass, looking at it I was pretty unhappy with that.
"It’s just a bit disappointing a number of issues but in saying that the ball bounced their way tonight and we had the opportunity to win it and didn’t, right up until the last set.”
The hosts finished 22-18 victors at GIO Stadium to cement their spot in the top-eight, while the Tigers remain at the bottom of the NRL ladder with four rounds remaining.
- Liam O'Loughlin (@ljoloughlin)
Canberra Raiders survive late scare to cement finals spot
After their heavy defeat to the Knights last week, the Raiders had one mission on Sunday afternoon against the Tigers — win.
It wasn't straightforward, but they eventually secured those two important premiership points, leaving them in fifth spot on the ladder.
After a hard-fought opening phase, Sebastian Kris and Hudson Young powered across the line to put the home side in good shape.
The Tigers refused to give up the entire match though, firing back through the returning Charlie Staines.
A magical solo run from Kris opened the scoring in the second stanza before David Nofoaluma saw the visitors narrow the margin again.
Both sides exchanged tries one more time, with the Tigers nearly snatching the win in the dying seconds if it wasn't for a heavy bounce.
The 22-18 result highlighted a few glaring defensive issues for the Raiders to fix ahead of the finals, but they are at least in a strong position to play knockout footy regardless.
Their coach Ricky Stuart knows improvement is needed.
"It's handy to get the two points but it's about the only thing we got though," he said.
"Our biggest enemy is us."
- Joshua Mayne
Parramatta Eels do just enough in top-eight run
It looked to be a potential blowout after 10 minutes with Parramatta themselves leading by 10 points, but Mikaele Ravalawa scored four tries in the corner in a brilliant individual performance.
Ravalawa gets his 4th! 🤯 #NRLEelsDragons pic.twitter.com/ttkIPA1BTi
— NRL (@NRL) August 6, 2023
Despite trailing by 10 points with 30 minutes remaining, the Eels made a determined comeback in what might be their most important second-half performance of the season.
The star trio of Gutherson, Moses and Brown did enough in the attacking third with handy touches that were too much for the Dragons' defence.
Parramatta weren't at their best with a litany of attacking and defensive errors that allowed the Dragons to nearly steal a victory.
The result is crucial for the Eels, who have one of the toughest remaining draws in the NRL.
- Kye Kuncoro
Sharks and Nicho Hynes bounce back against the Bunnies
South Sydney were expected by many to roll up to Optus Stadium on Saturday night and condemn the Sharks to a fourth successive loss and put their finals hopes in disarray.
Instead, the Bunnies - with all of their Origin contingent back on deck and an almost clean bill of health - were beaten 26-16 by a Cronulla outfit who clearly had more hunger for the contest.
Craig Fitzgibbon's men have been labelled as flat track bullies all season yet that wasn't the case in Perth as they raced out to a commanding lead before withstanding a late rally from the Rabbitohs.
Cronulla caused constant headaches for Souths with 16 offloads forcing second phase play, while Nicho Hynes started to resemble his old self once again after a tough few weeks.
The halfback only finished with one try assist but it was his overall play which will have pleased the Sharks the most as he ran the ball 12 times while crafting three linebreaks for his teammates.
-Mark Molyneux
Jamayne Isaako hat-trick isn’t enough to beat Kalyn Ponga’s Knights
Jamayne Isaako scored a stunning seven-minute hat-trick in the first half as the Dolphins threatened to bring Newcastle’s four-game winning streak to a shuddering halt in Perth.
Yet Kalyn Ponga, who scored the opening try of the match before Isaako’s interjection, inspired his side to a comeback in the second stanza.
Ponga terrorised another defensive unit as he sliced through the Dolphins almost at will as Adam O’Brien’s side continued their late season charge.
The No.1 finished with one try, two try assists, two linebreaks and just shy of 150 running metres with the captain’s inspired form showing no signs of ending anytime soon.
Here come the Knights, they're on the charge!
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 5, 2023
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After enduring a woeful start to the campaign, Newcastle are now in a great position to make the finals after they climbed up into sixth place.
They enjoy a run of three consecutive matches in the Hunter where they host the Bulldogs, Rabbitohs and Sharks before they finish the regular season with a game against the Dragons.
-Mark Molyneux
No Adam Reynolds, no worries as Ezra Mam leads Broncos in style
They might have been missing their experienced general in the No.7 jumper - but the Broncos showed once again why they are a genuine premiership contender with an exciting 30-14 victory over the Cowboys on Saturday.
With halfback Adam Reynolds out of action due to a groin issue, it was the likes of Ezra Mam and Patrick Carrigan who stood up on an individual level, while a number of unheralded forwards stepped up when it mattered most.
For the second-straight week in a row, Brisbane's goal-line defence was a major positive, with the aforementioned Mam and strike centre Kotoni Staggs coming up with some desperate try-saving efforts throughout the afternoon.
The electric five-eighth also battled through a knee issue to cross for a try and ran for over 100 metres, proving he can do the job without Reynolds by his side and has what it takes to become a future representative star.
Mam's bone-rattling defence has also made him a prominent fixture without the ball in hand since coming into the top grade, picking up and dumping North Queensland players twice his size with relative ease.
The scoreline perhaps doesn't tell the full story either, with Brisbane making nine linebreaks and bombing a number of try-scoring opportunities over the course of the 80 minutes.
While the visitors may have missed the calming influence of Reynolds in their attempts to close out the game late in the piece, there's no denying the brilliance and tenacity of the Broncos throughout their entire campaign.
- Liam O'Loughlin (@ljoloughlin)
Broncos young gun Brendan Piakura arrives on the big stage
There had been plenty of wraps around Brisbane second-rower Brendan Piakura coming through the grades, and his performance on Saturday afternoon certainly proved why the club have invested so much time and money into him.
The 21-year-old was a schoolboy sensation and while he made his NRL debut in 2021, has struggled to cement himself in the top grade for the Broncos.
After being in and out of the side due to injury and team selections this year, Piakura announced himself to the rugby league world on one of the biggest stages - an all-Queensland derby victory over the Cowboys.
The tackle-busting edge forward was one of Brisbane's best performers in the 30-14 victory in Townsville, finishing with an eye-catching 165 run metres, two linebreaks and 25 tackles in his return match.
Piakura could potentially keep the more experienced Jordan Riki out of the starting role heading into the NRL finals series, with the Kiwi back-rower selected as 18th man for the clash with North Queensland after missing the past six weeks due to injury.
“Jordy has been a big part of what we’ve been doing here, but Brendan – even though he missed the past two weeks – keeps putting his hand up," head coach Kevin Walter said post-game.
"He was actually quite gassed in the first-half… but some of his carries and his work in defence was pretty impressive. It’s good that they’re scrambling with each other for positions.
"We’ve got a really strong squad… Jordy will be back next week and that will make us an even better team."
- Liam O'Loughlin (@ljoloughlin)
Send-offs are back as Titans forward Mo Fotuaika gets shown his marching orders
Prior to the current round, there hadn't been a send-off in any NRL game since the second round of the season.
But when Titans forward Mo Fotuaika was sent off during Friday night's game against the Warriors, he became the second of round 23, with Roosters forward Nathan Brown also being dismissed on Thursday night.
Fotuaika was told to leave the field by referee Ben Cummins after a high shot against Charnze Nicholl-Kloksted in the 16th minute.
Send offs two nights in a row!
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 4, 2023
Moeaki Fotuaika has been sent off for this tackle on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
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Brown's send off on Thursday night was also for a high it, on Manly's Ben Trbojevic.
Nathan Brown was immediately sent off for this hit! 😮
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 3, 2023
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- Kieran Francis
Tom Trbojevic could return from injury in the finals but Sea Eagles slip to defeat
Before Manly wandered out onto the SCG turf, they had received an unexpected boost with their talisman Tom Trbojevic revealing he could be set for an earlier return from injury than anticipated.
The 26-year-old was expected to be out for the rest of the year after suffering a torn pectoral during Origin II in June.
MORE: Brad Fittler reportedly closing in on 12-month contract extension
However, ahead of Manly’s loss to the Roosters, Turbo declared he could be ready to return in the finals – should the Sea Eagles make it.
“The time frame is 11 weeks,” Trbojevic told The Daily Telegraph.
“They say 12 weeks is probably the number but (maybe) a week earlier, we’ll see.
“Week two, I’d be a chance. It would have to be a few weeks into the finals, that’s if we get there.”
-Mark Molyneux
Rugby league international calendar announced
“It is no secret that the Achilles heel for international rugby league for far too long has been the absence of an international calendar,” International Rugby League chair Troy Grant said upon the announcement of a schedule which will stretch to 2030.
“The ad hoc nature of tournaments and international matches, and the absence of any clarity for nations, players and fans to plan their seasons, is over.”
A revamped Rugby League World Cup will usher in a new era for the game after it was decided the tournament will be played in the Southern Hemisphere in 2026 after France’s withdrawal from hosting duties.
MORE: All the key details for the revamped Rugby League World Cup
After years of being stagnant on the world stage, international tours will once again kick off with Australia and England set to engage in a first Ashes series in over two decades when they meet in 2025.
New Zealand will then venture over to England to play them in a series in 2027, before the Kangaroos head north a year later.
Besides those headline tours there is also plenty to look forward to with the promise of Tri-Nations or Four Nations tournaments being developed in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.
“After we secure the future of international rugby league, our calendar will help rejuvenate and allow the game to grow globally, recognising the elite in our game and providing pathways for development of the game across all levels,” Grant added.
-Mark Molyneux
NRL Round 23 results
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thurs. 3rd August | Sydney Roosters 26 def. Manly Sea Eagles 16 | 7.50pm | Sydney Cricket Ground |
| Fri. 4th August | Gold Coast Titans 18 def. by New Zealand Warriors 28 | 6pm | Cbus Super Stadium |
| Fri. 4th August | Penrith Panthers 26 def. Melbourne Storm 6 | 8pm | BlueBet Stadium |
| Sat. 5th August | North Queensland Cowboys 14 def. by Brisbane Broncos 30 | 3pm | QCB Stadium |
| Sat. 5th August | Dolphins 28 def. by Newcastle Knights 30 | 5.30pm | Optus Stadium |
| Sat. 5th August | South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 def. by Cronulla Sharks 26 | 7.35pm | Optus Stadium |
| Sun. 6th August | Parramatta Eels 26 def. St George Illawarra Dragons | 2pm | CommBank Stadium |
| Sun. 6th August | Canberra Raiders vs. Wests Tigers | 4.05pm | GIO Stadium |
