As it happened: Green Machine rolls on; Wins for Sharks, Bunnies

Next week: The Raiders welcome back Xavier Savage from suspension when they head to 4 Pines Park in Round 3 to face an injury-hit Manly side. The Broncos are at home to the Cowboys.

Full-time: A stunning win for the Raiders as they make it back-to-back victories to start 2025. Eight Raiders players run for more than 100 metres, with Seb Kris leading the way with 160 metres. Back-rowers Hudson Young and Zac Hosking combined for 34 runs and 280 metres. Deine Mariner was sensational for Brisbane with 231 metres and six tackle breaks but it was the Green Machine's night.

78 min: A cross field kick by Adam Reynolds lands in the arms of Jesse Arthars who touches down to complete the first hat-trick of his career. Reynolds converts to pull it back to 32-22.

76 min: Deine Mariner is penalised for a double movement as the Broncos are denied again by more desperation Raiders defence.

73 min: With the Broncos desperately chasing points Reece Walsh comes up with a terrible pass that goes into touch and the Raiders come away.

63 min: Adam Reynolds comes up with a 40-20 kick for the Broncos and then at the end of the set puts in a pinpoint kick for Selwyn Cobbo to reel the ball in one-handed and get it down for a spectacular try. Raiders 32-16.

62 min: Selwyn Cobbo produces an acrobatic effort to try and get the ball down in the corner but replays show the ball has touched the sideline and the try is ruled out.

59 min: Savelio Tamale gets his first career try after a sneaky short side raid by Tom Starling who finds Seb Kris and the centre puts Tamale over. Jamal Fogarty pilots a brilliant conversion from touch to make it 32-10.

57 min: Reece Walsh loses the ball on tackle one as the Broncos get some rare field position in the second half.

53 min: Corey Horsburgh gets his first rest for the night with 17 runs and 121 metres to his name to go with 24 tackles and a try assist.

51 min: Corey Horsburgh holds off three defenders and gets an offload away to Matt Timoko who carries three Broncos over the line to open up a big lead for Canberra. Jamal Fogarty knocks over the extras for 26-10.

47 min: Tom Starling puts the Raiders further ahead when he puts in a grubber for himself that rebounds off Ben Hunt and Starling picks up the rebound to cross the line. Jamal Fogarty misses the conversion. Raiders 20-10.

42 min: Broncos hooker Cory Paix is placed on report for a dangerous tackle on Tom Starling.

Half-time: In front of a massive crowd at GIO Stadium the Raiders take a six-point lead to the break thanks to some monster efforts by their forwards. Corey Horsburgh played the full 40 minutes and made 88 metres from 13 runs, while Zac Hosking had 10 runs and 26 tackles. Pat Carrigan led the way for the Broncos with 13 runs for 111 metres.

39 min: On the back of a repeat set earned by Jamal Fogarty, the Raiders have the final say when Matty Nicholson powers over Ben Hunt from close range to complete a double on debut. Fogarty misses the relatively easy conversion to leave the score at 16-10.

34 min: Ben Hunt double pumps and throws a face ball to Jesse Arthars who crosses for his second try. Reynolds misses the conversion. Raiders 12-10.

25 min: The Broncos get on the board through Jesse Arthars who shows great strength to bust through three defenders and get the ball down for a much-needed try. Adam Reynolds converts to make it 12-6.

17 min: Veteran prop Josh Papalii caps a sensational start to the game when Seb Kris taps a bomb back and Big Papa scoops up the ball and powers over from close range. Raiders 12-0.

16 min: The Broncos mount some pressure on the left edge but Reece Walsh puts in a heavy grubber that rolls dead with no chance of any chasers getting to the ball.

12 min: The Raiders muscle up in defence and force Selwyn Cobbo back into the in-goal but the Broncos hold on.

10 min: Reece Walsh's kick-off after the try goes dead and the Broncos give up a penalty on halfway.

7 min: Jesse Arthars makes a mess of a Jamal Fogarty kick and the Green Machine get their first shot at points and Matty Nicholson storms onto a pass to score on NRL debut. The Englishman runs a good line and powers through a poor tackle by Jack Gosiewski to make the perfect start to his NRL career. Jamal Fogarty adds the extras for a 6-0 lead.

4 min: After Jamal Fogarty puts a dropout out on the full, the Broncos mount early pressure but the home team's defence stands tall and Jordan Riki loses the ball close to the line.

 

Cowboys v Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Next week: The Sharks host the unbeaten Rabbitohs at Sharks Stadium while the Cowboys face another daunting challenge against the Broncos in Brisbane.

Full-time: The Sharks salute 36-12 to take their record to 1-1 for the season. Wingers Sam Stonestreet and Ronaldo Mulitalo ran for a combined 461 metres while Kayal Iro finishes with 11 tackle breaks. The Sharks defied the stifling conditions to complete 40 of 46 sets at 86 per cent.

The Cowboys have conceded 78 points across the first two rounds - the most they have given up in the opening two rounds since 2002, when they conceded 92 points.

79 min: The Sharks put an exclamation mark on the win when Nicho Hynes puts Kayal Iro over for his second try of the night. In his 100th game Siosifa Talakai is given the honour of taking the conversion attempt but hits the post.

76 min: The Cowboys get the ball back from a short kick-off and Scott Drinkwater produces a superb solo try to pull it back to 32-12.

73 min: A mistake by Murray Taulagi coming out of his own end gives the Sharks a shot at a sixth try and they deliver with a sweeping move to Sam Stonestreet in the right corner after halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall combine. Stonestreet now has 10 career tries in seven games with four doubles. Hynes pushes the conversion wide. Sharks 32-6.

62 min: On the back of a high tackle penalty against Reuben Cotter and a six-again call the Sharks go in again when Braydon Trindall and Will Kennedy combine to put Ronaldo Mulitalo over. Mulitalo has now scored in six straight games against the Cowboys. Sharks 28-6.

58 min: The Sharks go the length of the field after Will Kennedy brings down a bomb and makes good metres before putting Sam Stonestreet into space. The winger is cut down but the ball is then swung to the left and Teig Wilton finishes the move off in the corner, taking the final pass from Ronaldo Mulitalo. The conversion from Nicho Hynes is spot on for a 22-6 lead.

57 min: Jaxson Purdue returns from the bin with no damage done on the scoreboard while he was off the field. 

55 min: Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi goes on report for a high tackle on Jesse Ramien.

50 min: The Cowboys challenge a knock-on call and lose their captain's challenge for the night. Winger Braidon Burns has succumbed to a hamstring injury and won't return.

48 min: A scrum clock penalty against the Sharks just 10 metres out from the tryline cruels an attacking opportunity with the one-man advantage.

46 min: The Sharks take a quick tap from their own 20 and Nicho Hynes puts Sam Stonestreet into space. The winger is run down in a magnificent cover tackle by Jaxson Purdue but the Cowboys youngster is sent to the sin bin for a professional foul after failing to clear the ruck.

Half-time: The Sharks completed at 91 per cent and had four line breaks to one but may still feel like they left a couple of tries out there. Centre Kayal Iro came up with nine tackle breaks and a try while Ronaldo Mulitalo ran for 150 metres.

38 min: Briton Nikora crosses the stripe but the try is called back for obstruction in the lead-up by Jesse Ramien.

37 min: Murray Taulagi looks to have pulled one back for the Cowboys but Will Kennedy's desperation tackle denies the Cowboys winger. A great battle of strength between the two men but Kennedy wins out to keep his team's 10-point lead intact.

30 min: The Sharks sweep right and big guns Nicho Hynes and Will Kennedy handle before Sam Stonestreet takes the final pass and plunges over in the corner. Hynes converts for a 16-6 lead.

29 min: A mistake by Kai O'Donnell straight after points puts the home side back under the pump.

28 min: Jaxson Purdue hits back for the home side after a Thomas Duffy kick rebounds off the head of chaser Murray Taulagi and Purdue picks up the scraps to score. Scott Drinkwater adds the extras. 10-6 Sharks.

24 min: Sharks back-rower Briton Nikora capitalises on some great work by Blayke Brailey to reach out and score his side's second try. Nicho Hynes converts for a 10-0 lead.

21 min: The drinks break is taken.

17 min: Sharks winger Sam Stonestreet spills a bomb and puts his team under pressure but the Cowboys fail to capitalise with a full set from close range.

9 min: Nicho Hynes and Will Kennedy combine to give Kayal Iro a chance and he defies three Cowboys defenders to slam the ball down for the first try of the night. Hynes hits the upright with his conversion attempt. Sharks 4-0.

The heat: Drinks breaks will be taken midway through each half in Townsville with the temperature in the high 20s.

Late Mail: The Cowboys are 1-17 with no late changes. Jason Taumalolo has dropped out of the squad on Friday and will play Queensland Cup to get some minutes under his belt on return from a Lisfranc injury. Kai O'Donnell is set for his first NRL match since 2020 following the shock omission of Origin forward Jeremiah Nanai. The 18th man is Jaxson Paulo.

Prop Tom Hazelton has been forced out of the squad to play in Townsville due to back soreness. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has promoted Tuku Hau Tapahu to the interchange in place of Hazelton, with Billy Burns the new 18th man. 

The Stat: The Cowboys have won only two of their past 14 games against the Sharks.

 

Dragons v Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium

Next week: The Dragons have a bye in Round 3 before chasing a first win of the season in Round 4 against the Storm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. The Rabbitohs tackle the Sharks at Sharks Stadium.

Full-time: The Rabbitohs go 2-0 to start the season as Jamie Humphreys comes up with the late heroics and livewire fullback Jye Gray has 29 runs for 311 metres and Sean Keppie stands tall in the middle with 141 run metres and 40 tackles.

Tyrell Sloan and Christian Tuipulotu combined for three tries and 439 run metres for the Dragons.

78 min: The Dragons launch a raid down the right but Damien Cook is shut down by Isaiah Taas.

76 min: Jamie Humphreys snaps a left footed field goal from 32 metres out to put Souths in front 25-24.

71 min: On the back of a penalty under the sticks the Rabbitohs square up when Sean Keppie scores from close range and Jamie Humphreys converts. 24-24.

66 min: Dragons centre Moses Suli leaves the field clutching at his ribs.

59 min: The Rabbitohs shift to the right and create an opportunity but Campbell Graham's pass floats forward and the Dragons come away.

55 min: A Jacob Liddle error hands the Rabbitohs a chance to strike back and Cody Walker slides through from 10 metres out to rack up the 100th try of his career in his 214th game. Jamie Humphreys adds the extras to get it back to 24-18.

52 min: Sweet hands from Clint Gutherson again on the left edge opens the door for Christian Tuipulotu to cross for his first of the day and fourth of the season. Val Holmes misses to the left. Dragons 24-12.

52 min: Souths lose back-rower Tallis Duncan to a hamstring injury.

48 min: Jai Arrow is sent for a second HIA after copping a knock to the head while attempting a tackle so he will be unable to return.

46 min: The Dragons extend their lead on the back of a powerhouse run by Christian Tuipulotu who rides a bump and delivers and offload for Kyle Flanagan to score. Val Holmes converts for a 20-12 lead.

Half-time: After a near flawless start to the game the Rabbitohs come up with a couple of late errors to end the half with 17/20 sets completed at 85 per cent, the same figure as the Dragons. Jye Gray has racked up 149 run metres for Souths while Christian Tuipulotu leads the Red V with 122 metres.

40 min: Val Holmes launches a long range two-point field goal attempt but the ball sails wide to leave the half-time score at 14-12.

38 min: A high tackle penalty against Tyrell Sloan gives Souths a late shot at points but a forward pass by Siliva Havili lets the Dragons off the hook.

34 min: Jai Arrow returns after passing his HIA.

32 min: Dragons bench forward Hamish Stewart climbs high to bring down a Lachlan Ilias kick and gets an offload away which deflects off a defender and into the in goal where Kyle Flanagan pounces on the loose ball to score. Val Holmes converts from right in front for a 14-12 Dragons lead.

30 min: Campbell Graham scrambles superbly to deny Christian Tuipulotu a try in the corner but the contact is high and a penalty goes to the Red V.

29 min: The Dragons butcher a chance after Clint Gutherson makes a break into the back field and sends a pass to Val Holmes who drops it cold.

23 min: The Rabbitohs' first error of the day by Keaon Koloamatangi invites the Dragons onto the attack and Sloan makes it a double on the right edge after slick hands by Clint Gutherson and Moses Suli. The conversion from Val Holmes is off the mark again. Rabbitohs 12-8.

21 min: On the back of the penalty against Holmes the Dragons fold in defence with Peter Mamouzelos darting over from dummy half through some flimsy tackles. Jamie Humphreys knocks over the simple conversion for a 12-4 lead.

20 min: Val Holmes goes on report for an early tackle on Jai Arrow when not in possession of the ball. Arrow is sent for a HIA.

17 min: Both sides are completing at 100 per cent (Souths 11 from 11 and Dragons 8 from 8) in a real test of attrition.

12 min: Clint Gutherson delivers a long ball for Tyrell Sloan to score in the right hand corner. Playing on the wing for just the third time in his career, Sloan put on the afterburners to grab the 31st try try of his career and 10th at WIN Stadium. Val Holmes fails to convert. Rabbitohs 6-4.

9 min: A penalty try for Souths to open the scoring when Jye Gray is held back by Lachlan Ilias and denied a chance to get to the rolling ball. The video ref rules Gray would have scored had it not been for the interference and the conversion from Jamie Humphreys makes it 6-0.

7 min: Souths hooker Peter Mamouzelos earns his side a repeat set with a clever grubber into the in goal.

The heat: There will be no drinks break midway through the halves but the yellow shirt trainers from both sides can take drinks out at any time to the players.

2.45pm: Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said his new spine will take time to gel but is adamant he doesn't want to use that as an excuse. "We're not going to toss that out [as an excuse] whatever the results are today or the next six weeks, we need to win," Flanagan told Fox League.

Late Mail: Speedster Tyrell Sloan is back for the Red V and will play on the wing, pushing Mat Fegai to 18th man. Blake Lawrie has come into the starting side in his return from a hamstring injury and Toby Couchman goes to the bench. Sloan bagged a double in the Dragons' 34-26 win over Canterbury in NSW Cup last weekend and has 30 tries to his name in 60 NRL games. 

The Rabbitohs are 1-17 with no late changes on a stifling afternoon in Wollongong.