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What did we learn from round one of the NRL? That there are 25 rounds to go. Seriously, no club, coach, player, journalist or fan should read too much into the opening round of the NRL.
There is a long way to go in the season, and to gauge anything seriously consequential from just 80 minutes of football – or more, for those games that went to golden point – is a little presumptuous.
However, that’s not to say that we didn’t learn a few things from round one.
New Zealand and Manly are a credit to the game
The Warriors and Sea Eagles played out a truly entertaining game of rugby league, right from the opening whistle. Both teams played with flair, but not at the expense of substance. A cracking game of football, and probably the best in an opening round that had many great games.
The Cowboys were atrocious and the Tigers were lucky
It’s one game, so let’s not hit the panic button yet, but North Queensland were easily the least impressive team on the weekend. Their attack looked completely out of sync, their defence was terrible, and their attitude was poor. Other than that, they were great…
Meanwhile, while some Benji Marshall magic saved the day, the Tigers were lucky to escape Leichhardt Oval with the win. Apart from referee blunders that hurt the Sharks dearly, the Tigers simply didn’t play that well.
As premiership favourites, they’re going to have a target on their backs all year, and they’ll need to lift their play considerably to remain the team to beat.
Timana Tahu is a liability
The question needs to be seriously asked if Tahu is worth the risk anymore.
He’s a few seasons removed from high-level productivity, and the last three football clubs he left (the New South Wales Waratahs, Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers) were all hardly sad when he departed.
It then took all of one game for his new/old club Newcastle to be let down by his behaviour.
His reckless, careless, hot-headed and immature kneeing cost the Knights dearly against the Dragons, and he’ll no doubt be suspended. Do the Knights really need that?
Darren who?
A few pundits expected Brisbane to struggle early without Darren Lockyer. Instead, they were exceptional. While no one doubts that the Broncos will miss Lockyer at some stage during the season, especially in tight games, if the club keeps playing like they did in round one, they won’t have too many close games to worry about.
The best signing of the off-season?
Fox Sports snared the prized signature of one of rugby league’s sharpest minds in Matty Johns.
It’s easy to forget after his terrible show on Channel 7, but Johns is one of the best on-air football talents in Australia. He combines a fantastic and articulate rugby league brain with a naturally quick wit, and has so far been brilliant on Fox Sports.
I have a feeling Channel 9 will regret not offering him a contract.
Penrith should change their name
A panther is a big black cat. Crossing one is said to bring bad luck. But at the moment, it’s Penrith that’s receiving all the misfortune.
Representative winger Michael Gordon broke his fibula in the game against the Bulldogs and is expected to be out 12 weeks. While every club will have to deal with injuries during the year, the Panthers lack of depth means they are the club that can least afford a serious injury to an important player.
Yet, after just one round, that’s exactly where they find themselves.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is dirty
The Kiwi forward is a good player, and plays with plenty of fire. No one could ever question his commitment or effort. But what you can call into question is his penchant for foul play.
At least once a game Waerea-Hargreaves can be counted on to do something dirty, and last night’s game against the Rabbitohs was no exception when he threw his body at the exposed leg of a held attacker. Dangerous, dirty and completely unnecessary.
Rugby league is at tough game. It doesn’t need to be dirty, and neither does Waerea-Hargreaves.
Try of the year already?
Take your pick.
If you like outstanding teamwork, then the Storm’s opening try is for you. Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater took all of three minutes to show off their skill, precision and chemistry in a beautifully executed move that resulted in a Slater four pointer.
However, if you prefer a little bit of razzle dazzle with a touch of luck, than Manly winger David Williams’ kick for Daly Cherry-Evans is probably your cup of tea. The Wolfman flirted with the sideline before booting a perfectly weighted kick infield, on which Cherry Evans pounced. Absolutely sensational.
Or perhaps you enjoy individual brilliance? If so, Shaun Johnson’s try on the weekend was outstanding. Two steps in one play, followed by a spin, and finishing with the strength to get the ball over the line. I thought labelling him the ‘next Benji Marshall’ last year was ridiculous, but it’s clearly not as silly as I thought.
Lastly, tries don’t get much better than when they come right at the death, and Billy Slater, Beau Ryan and Anthony Minichiello all produced magnificent tries in the waning moments of the game, helping to win the match for their clubs.
All in all, it was a terrific opening round of football and a fantastic advertisement for the game. Close contests that went down to the wire, outstanding skills, and the rugby league prerequisites of intensity and passion.
And this was just a taste of things to come. Wait until teams are in mid-season form.