NRL Nines day one blog: results, news and highlights

NRL: Sea Eagles 18, Storm 4

The Manly Sea Eagles might have unearthed a new star in their 18-4 victory over Melbourne on day one of the Nines tournament.

Unheralded halfback Luke Metcalf scored the game’s first and last tries, as the Sea Eagles notched a solid victory in stifling 39-degree heat in Perth.

The 20-year-old showcased his speed off the mark with an impressive bonus zone try, as the Sea Eagles kept the Storm scoreless in the first half.

Manly were awarded a penalty try after Reuben Garrick was held back near the line, leaving the Storm in a 14-0 hole at the break.

Cameron Munster finally opened Melbourne’s account five minutes from full-time but they turned over possession by conceding a penalty from the kick-off and never troubled Manly again.

NRL: Cowboys 17, Broncos 11

The Cowboys claimed early bragging rights over Queensland rivals Brisbane with a 17-11 win on day one of the Nines at a steamy HBF Park in Perth.

As the temperature hovered above 30 degrees well into the evening, the traditional rivals tore into each other with a ferocity not seen in earlier matches.

The Cowboys grabbed an early 4-0 lead with a try to Coen Hess before the Broncos snatched a 7-4 half-time lead with Jake Turpin’s bonus zone try.

North Queensland regained the lead with Scott Drinkwater’s try and stretched the margin to 17-7 with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s try.

The Broncos made it an interesting finish with a late try to Jesse Arthars but the Cowboys wouldn’t be denied.

Worryingly Brisbane lost star playmaker Anthony Milford to a hamstring injury in the second half, with Milford unlikely to play any further part in the tournament on Saturday.

NRL: Wests Tigers 17, Rabbitohs 8

The Wests Tigers outclassed the South Sydney Rabbitohs to claim a 17-8 triumph on the opening day of the Nines.

Billy Walters stepped his way around the defence close to the Bunnies’ line for the game’s first try before the lead blew out to 17-0 at the break after tries to Sam McIntyre and Thomas Mikaele.

The Rabbitohs raised the bar in the second half and gave themselves a glimmer of hope with tries to Campbell Graham and Edene Gebbie.

But time ran out on their fightback and the Tigers will head into day two on a winning note.

Both teams suffered injuries during the match, with the Tigers losing Paul Momirovski to an ankle problem and Souths losing Ethan Lowe to a knee injury.

NRL: Titans 27, Raiders 10

The Gold Coast Titans got their Nines campaign off on the right foot, coming from behind to beat the Canberra Raiders 27-10.

Raiders winger Matthew Timoko scored twice in the first half but the Titans didn’t flinch, with tries to Greg Leleisiuao, Michael Gordon and Anthony Don setting up a 17-10 half-time lead.

The margin swelled to 27-10 with a pair of tries to off-season recruit Jonus Pearson and the Titans kept their opponents at arm’s length over the closing minutes for a confidence-boosting victory.

NRL: Dragons 27, Sharks 5

A defiant Dragons upstaged a more fancied Cronulla side to claim a well-deserved 27-5 triumph in game five of the opening day’s action.

The Sharks drew first blood with Sione Katoa’s try but St George Illawarra answered with tries to Josh Kerr and Tyrell Fuimaono for an 8-5 half-time lead.

Hopes of a revival were deflated when Ben Hunt scored a bonus zone try and it was all over bar the shouting when Tristan Sailor sprinted away for a bonus zone try, pushing the score out to 22-5.

The Dragons weren’t done, with Kerr crossing for his second to seal the big win.

NRL: Bulldogs 13, Eels 10

The Canterbury Bulldogs have scored the tournament’s first boilover with Corey Harawira-Naera scoring a crunch time try to beat arch enemies Parramatta 13-10.

While the previous two matches were one-sided affairs, a defensive tussle typically ensued between the long-time rivals.

The Eels scored first with Blake Ferguson flying through the air for a crowd-pleasing try in the corner.

Canterbury responded with Morgan Harper’s converted try for a 6-4 lead before Jaeman Salmon broke the defensive line for a solo try to put Parra ahead 10-6 lead at the break.

The Eels couldn’t build on their lead and the Dogs stole their thunder with Harawira-Naera’s bonus zone try two minutes from full-time.

NRL: Knights 34, Warriors 0

Kurt Gidley showed there’s still life in the old dog, coming out of retirement to ignite the Newcastle Knights to a crushing 34-0 defeat of the New Zealand Warriors.

Retired for two years, 37-year-old Gidley had a hand in several tries and steered the Knights around the field like he’d never been away.

The game was effectively over at half-time with the Knights leading 20-0 from tries to Mason Lino, Starford Toa and Brodie Jones.

The Knights showed no mercy in the second half, with Sione Mata'utia, Matt Soper-Lawler and Tex Hoy all crossing for a convincing win.

NRL: Panthers 35, Roosters 0

Viliame Kikau arrived in Perth as one of the most feared players of the tournament and lived up to the hype with a try in the first 40 seconds to spearhead Penrith’s 35-0 demolition of the Sydney Roosters.

The Panthers had victory in their keeping by half-time after scoring four unanswered tries, including two bonus zone tries.

Kikau scored his second try as the half-time siren sounded, while Brent Naden and Josh Mansour also crossed after good lead-up by playmakers Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau.

The Panthers claimed a third bonus zone try when Koroisau touched down four minutes into the second half for a 31-0 lead before Kikau put Cleary away in the closing seconds for the icing on the cake.

NRLW: Warriors 13, Roosters 8

The New Zealand Warriors have claimed victory in the opening match with a 13-8 defeat of the Sydney Roosters.

Trailing 6-4 at the break, the Roosters grabbed their first lead with Kiama Takairangi’s try in the opening minute of the second half and were within touching distance of victory when Chontelle Stowers sprinted 70m for an intercept try under the posts to give the Warriors the win.

The Warriors were first on the scoreboard with Huia Harding’s converted try before Zahara Temara crossed for the Roosters two minutes from half-time.

The Warriors had to play in the men’s jerseys and without socks after the gear bag was left at the team hotel.