NRL Rd 1 2026 - General Non-Warriors Thread

[Blair]

Thought the same with their green seats standing out when empty.

It's marketing 101. Give people the impression it's a happening scene. Like cardboard cutouts in cool bars and clubs back in the day*.

My Roosters friends and workmates are adamant the Chooks are always rubbish early in the season. I'll take their word for it but it still doesn't take anything away from our fine win.

* I don't remember that actually occurring but you know what I mean.

 

[Blair]

It's such a nice buzz when we win early in the round. Sharks v Titans soon. I'm listening to some radio talk about the GC with Scott Sadler speaking. It's not surprising to hear some players have turned up there and the first thing the club has seen is a surfboard.

It's why they've struggled for nearly forty years and we've all known this.

 

[Izz]

New year, same Gold Coast

 

[JJ]

Penrith cost themselves last year… not sure I can be convinced they’re not red hot favourites this year

Sharks are a good side, Titans remain interesting…

 

[Blair]

New year, same Gold Coast.

34-0 down at halftime. The GC are just going through the motions. Their defensive reads are terrible, as if they have a team of DWZs! Oh, and an Ali or two.

...the Titans go back-to-back. The comeback's on. 40-10...
...44-10, well, the Warriors are sliding down the ladder! Lucky it's not the last round.
...fifty coming up? The Titans premiership-winning hopes over? Yep, 50-10, Sharks. Final.

 

[Blair]

Manly up 14-6 at halftime but the Raiders are having a bit of a party in the second.

22-14, 52 mins gone. Three tries in seven mins. Worrying signs for Seibold's defence.
...now, madness! Manly are on the brink of a great, late comeback win. 28-26, Canberra, but five mins left.
...a bit of a crowd crush as defeatist Manly fans are turning around to try and get back into the ground.
...bugger, Beave, Koula dropped it in the ptb. That could be it.
...2:48 to go, Manly at the wrong end though...but Jake passes forward. There was plenty of time and no need for Manly to push things too much.
...a frantic finish. Two-point field-goal falls short. Game over? Nooooo! Penalty in front.
...28-all, full-time. Bring in golden-point. Surely the home-crowd gets them home.
...Ethan Sanders puts it over! In their first set. 29-28, Raiders. Final.

Good for the Warriors, that. We don't want Canberra angry next week.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Koula is wasted at Manly unless they can get him a better squad. The guy is a beast, that can pull out a play like he did down the field late in a game (killed the Dogs in the finals like that two years ago too) but he's in a bottom 8 side.

Most dangerous player in the comp.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Penrith cost themselves last year… not sure I can be convinced they’re not red hot favourites this year

Sharks are a good side, Titans remain interesting…

They're the premiership favourites. Dead set. Why I picked the Broncos to win on Friday night when the Panthers had that revenge in their guts, and the Broncs have been drinking winner's piss/been in England, I do not know.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Manly up 14-6 at halftime but the Raiders are having a bit of a party in the second.

22-14, 52 mins gone. Three tries in seven mins. Worrying signs for Seibold's defence.
...now, madness! Manly are on the brink of a great, late comeback win. 28-26, Canberra, but five mins left.
...a bit of a crowd crush as defeatist Manly fans are turning around to try and get back into the ground.
...bugger, Beave, Koula dropped it in the ptb. That could be it.
...2:48 to go, Manly at the wrong end though...but Jake passes forward. There was plenty of time and no need for Manly to push things too much.
...a frantic finish. Two-point field-goal falls short. Game over? Nooooo! Penalty in front.
...28-all, full-time. Bring in golden-point. Surely the home-crowd gets them home.
...Ethan Sanders puts it over! In their first set. 29-28, Raiders. Final.

Good for the Warriors, that. We don't want Canberra angry next week.

Wanted golden point to go longer to take more out of them for next week.
Hudson Young was on the tv after the game and said they flying to NZ tomorrow (today).

 

[Blair]

Dolphins v Souths, two tremendous back-fives on display. All eyes are on Fifita though, is he rejuvenated under Bennett? A wet afternoon in Brisbane.

...four-all after 12 mins. This is a really good contest.
...28-10, Souths. Halftime. Gee, either Souths look really good or the Dolphins have been sloppy. It's a bit of both.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Dolphins v Souths, two tremendous back-fives on display. All eyes are on Fifita though, is he rejuvenated under Bennett? A wet afternoon in Brisbane.

...four-all after 12 mins. This is a really good contest.
...28-10, Souths. Halftime. Gee, either Souths look really good or the Dolphins have been sloppy. It's a bit of both.

Beauty, I tipped Souths.

Wanted golden point to go longer to take more out of them for next week.
Hudson Young was on the tv after the game and said they flying to NZ tomorrow (today).

Flying on a Sunday for a Friday game, that feels early? I thought they usually flew 3 days out - ie Wednesday for a Saturday game

 

[Blair]

The Dolphins have been the better side this half but can't score a point, despite all their firepower.

...but they do score, twice. However, Souths have just scored a momentum-busting try. 34-22, 21 mins left.

Watching the dynamic back play from these two teams has me nervous for when they play us. Our defensive issues will be tested. It could even be a rout.

 

[Blair]

Beauty, I tipped Souths.

Cool, same here. But let's hold our horses...

 

[Blair]

The Rabbitohs were impressive, winning 40-30, a score which flattered the Dolphins.

Rd 1 Ladder:

A pretty good opening round!

 

[Blair]

Let's go, Black Caps! Make it a great weekend for NZ sport.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

On paper full strength Rabbitohs and Dolphins sides should be the big improvers this year, simply because they were so ruined by injuries last year.

Dolphins still have an exciting backline but with enough guys back fit they should have at least a competent pack to go with it. Souths similarly have an elite backline with everyone fit and the left edge of Walker/Fifta/Mitchell/Johnston should be world-beating in theory. Their issue might be that they have a lot of ageing stars and history suggests the injury issues are likely to recur.

 

[Blair]

On paper full strength Rabbitohs and Dolphins sides should be the big improvers this year, simply because they were so ruined by injuries last year.

Dolphins still have an exciting backline but with enough guys back fit they should have at least a competent pack to go with it. Souths similarly have an elite backline with everyone fit and the left edge of Walker/Fifta/Mitchell/Johnston should be world-beating in theory. Their issue might be that they have a lot of ageing stars and history suggests the injury issues are likely to recur.

I was impressed by Souths but you're right, age and injury could be a big factor. It hit me yesterday that, close to the line, Mitchell is the hardest player to stop since Meninga!

 

[Izz]

Lomax off to Super Rugby with the Western Force...

Guess that ends that saga. Until he breaks this contract when they don't make him King of Perth

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Heard Levels mentioning today that the disrupter rule has been changed, and the player coming through contesting for the ball can’t go up for a 1 handed tap back any longer, have to have 2 hands up in the air now

what a ridiculously unnecessary change of interpretation

 

[TheDMC]

Heard Levels mentioning today that the disrupter rule has been changed, and the player coming through contesting for the ball can’t go up for a 1 handed tap back any longer, have to have 2 hands up in the air now

what a ridiculously unnecessary change of interpretation

Warriors benefited from that new rule in Round 1, Roosters got pinged...