Outside of the Dragons and Warriors, the striking thing about the start of the 2018 season is that players, teams and referees have been consistent in their inconsistencies.
One week we have Cooper Cronk delivering a perfectly timed kick into the waiting arms of Blake Ferguson to score a special try. The following week he aims the same kick at the same target and it sails out on the full.
As for his team the Roosters, they smashed the Knights in a highly anticipated match one week and then were slaughtered by the impressive Warriors, killing coach Robinson in the process with more dropped balls than a one-handed juggler.
But the Roosters aren’t alone. We have the Manly Eagles looking like world-beaters with a 54-0 scoreline against the Parramatta Eels in week two. Following this they were on the wrong end of a thrashing by an unlikely South Sydney side. Then they turned it around again by thrashing the hapless Raiders at Manly’s home fortress yesterday.
As for the Rabbits, they followed their impressive win over the Eagles with an error-riddled performance over the Canterbury Bulldogs. Luckily for them, they somehow pulled a rabbit out of a hat, winning after being down 10-16 with less than ten minutes to play. Other teams that are up and down like a yoyo include Broncos, Cowboys, Storm, Sharks and Titans.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
These results are common in the first month of the competition, and although they give coaches grey hairs, they make tipping competitions far more interesting.
But a few surprises of consistency include the New Zealand Warriors whose form is spectacular, even more impressive considering that they have travelled to Perth, Sydney and Canberra.
The other undefeated team, the St George Illawarra Dragons, always seem to start their season well, but it just may be possible that their quality new recruits James Graham and Ben Hunt will maintain their momentum this year. The other team of note is the ever-improving Wests Tigers, led by a more mature and measured Benji Marshall and clever coach, Ivan Cleary.
Unfortunately for cranky pants Ricky Stuart, his team has also been consistent, but it’s through poor performances rather than positive results. They see themselves at the bottom of the table, and will be missing their best player Josh Hodgson for most of 2018.
Everyone is talking about the referees this year, so it’s not worth going on about how they are transforming rugby league into rugby union with their stop-start penalties and baffling decisions.
The 2018 season has thrown up a number of interesting questions. Will the Warriors and Dragons continue their unbeaten runs? Will the Roosters live up to their potential? Are the Cowboys finished? Will the referees drive fans away from the game? And will Ricky Stuart survive the year without a heart bypass?
Stand by for the opening whistle.
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