The Broncos and Dolphins are sitting on prime of the NRL ladder heading into their mouth-watering inaugural conflict at an already sold-out Suncorp Stadium.
Canterbury are within the prime eight for the primary time in years and are joined by 5 different golf equipment which didn’t play finals final 12 months.
The Roosters are beginning to discover the shape which had most pundits tipping them as premiership fancies in 2023, whereas the Panthers loved the bye.
Parramatta stay winless after a 3rd straight loss but it surely’s the Wests Tigers who look most decided to clinch the picket spoon after one other dreadful efficiency.
Read on for the Power Rankings after Round 2.
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17. WESTS TIGERS
Last week’s rank: seventeenth (no motion)
Analysis: We didn’t suppose it was potential however the Tigers are by some means worse than final 12 months and in case you forgot, they gained the picket spoon in 2022.
They adopted up their abysmal showings in opposition to the Titans and Knights with a shocker in opposition to the Bulldogs.
A flurry of late tries flattered the 26-22 scoreline however make no mistake, Tim Sheens’ facet are going backwards at a fee of knots.
The Tigers’ assault solely got here to life when Adam Doueihi shifted to fullback and Brandon Wakeham went into the halves.
But a petulant Sheens refused to “justify” the transfer when requested about it in his post-game press convention.
The coach seems to be more and more like a person extremely indignant with himself for taking over the highest job, as a substitute of having fun with retirement, at this basket case of a membership.
England worldwide John Bateman lastly performed his first sport for the membership and whereas he introduced aggression, his efficiency was riddled with errors.
It’s nearly unimaginable to see the Tigers profitable any of their subsequent 4 video games – in opposition to the Storm, Broncos, Eels and Sea Eagles.
16. KNIGHTS
Last week’s rank: thirteenth (down two spots)
Analysis: The Knights had been lacking a number of stars however they had been nonetheless made to look second fee in final 20 minutes by facet taking part in simply their third NRL sport collectively.
The Dolphins scored 4 unanswered tries within the remaining 20 minutes to expire comfy 36-20 victors.
Kalyn Ponga and Jayden Brailey don’t look like coming back from their concussions any time quickly and the suspended Jacob Saifiti nonetheless has one other 4 weeks on the sideline.
Under the circumstances, Newcastle had been courageous for 60 minutes in opposition to the Dolphins but it surely’s exhausting to see the place their factors come from shifting ahead.
It’s wanting like one other lengthy season for Adam O’Brien’s males who look 1,000,000 miles from the group that made back-to-back finals collection in 2020 and 2021.
They subsequent face the Raiders, Sea Eagles, Warriors and Panthers, who’re all last-start winners.
15. EELS
Last week’s rank: twelfth (down three locations)
Analysis: The Eels have began the season 0-3 and the final time they did that they gained the picket spoon.
Parramatta created lots in assault however as soon as once more determined defence was elective in a 34-30 loss the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval.
It was an nearly similar scoreline to every week earlier and as soon as once more with the sport on the road Mitchell Moses couldn’t get up and ship the win.
They lastly get backrower Ryan Matterson again this week observe his highly-publicised three-game ban which he took as a substitute of paying a $4000 positive.
But they’re nonetheless with out Shaun Lane and Bryce Cartwright is struggling to fill the void in assault.
The Eels are starring down the barrel of a 0-5 star with their subsequent video games in opposition to the Panthers and Roosters – going through each groups contemporary off their bye.
But the dropping ought to lastly cease in Round 6 once they meet the Tigers who wouldn’t beat the bye for the time being.
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14. DRAGONS
Last week’s rank: eleventh (down three spots)
Analysis: The Dragons had been within the contest with the Broncos for 70 minutes on Sunday, however folded within the closing levels to conceded a staggering 22 factors within the remaining 10 minutes.
After a strong win over the Titans and a largely aggressive efficiency in opposition to Brisbane, who’ve been in purple scorching kind, the Red V can’t be sad with how their season has began.
Ben Hunt has been strong throughout two video games, whereas the younger pairing of Jayden Sullivan and Tyrell Sloan have performed starring roles in each video games.
Sloan seems to be a brand new man in 2023 and may very well be a key gamers beneath Anthony Griffin, who’s combating for an extension with the Dragons.
Griffin’s facet come up in opposition to their cross-town rivals this weekend, the Sharks, and can be determined to ship a aggressive efficiency at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in entrance of their dwelling crowd.
13. RAIDERS
Last week’s rank: sixteenth (up three spots)
Analysis: The Raiders season was wanting grim coming into their conflict with the Sharks in Round 3.
Canberra had been and not using a win and Ricky Stuart’s males had been rapidly slipping behind the eight ball, dropping gun winger Nick Cotric throughout the week’s coaching.
However, the Raiders confirmed grit and dedication at GIO Stadium, beating one of many competitors favourites 24-20.
Canberra stayed robust in defence to cease the Sharks from storming excessive to steal victory, an effort that Stuart could be pleased with.
Now the Raiders face the decimated Knights and can be hoping to return away with one other huge win.
12. STORM
Last week’s rank: sixth (down 5 spots)
Analysis: Bellamy’s facet slumped to a second defeat in a row to groups who completed outdoors the highest eight in Round 3, happening 38-34 to the Titans.
Melbourne led going into the second half however conceded two quickfire tries off the again of uncharacteristic errors.
Bellamy was clearly annoyed together with his facet’s efficiency and was scathing of the Storm’s perspective within the post-match press convention.
“With all due respect, our problem at the moment is the care factor seems very, very low,” Bellamy mentioned.
In some constructive news, younger gun halfback Jonah Pezet was robust on debut, exhibiting he’s a greater than succesful choice to again choice when Hughes and Munster are unavailable.
The Storm face the Tigers this week, and with a dominant efficiency can bounce again and kickstart their season. With Munster set to return we count on the Storm to surge up the rankings.
11. TITANS
Last week’s rank: fifteenth (up 4 spots)
Analysis: After a disappointing loss to the Dragons in Round 2, the Titans bounced again in an enormous method.
Holbrook’s facet had been in a position to finest competitors heavyweights the Storm, taking their alternatives early within the second half and holding on late to seal an unlikely victory.
Winger Khan-Pereira was glorious and showcased his dazzling footwork with a attempt to burn Warbrick within the left nook.
Question marks encompass playmaker Kieran Foran after he was bizarrely pulled from the sector by Holbrook, clearly fuming on the determination.
However, solely constructive indicators may be taken from their sport in Round 3 and the Gold Coast can be determined to push on in opposition to the Cowboys on Saturday night.
10. SHARKS
Last week’s rank: seventh (down three spots)
Analysis: The Sharks delivered a disappointing efficiency in opposition to the Raiders in Round 3, a facet who had been but to win a sport coming into the conflict.
A mind fade from entrance rower Royce Hunt proved essential, handing Canberra the profitable four-pointer and failing to plug a gap of their defensive position.
From then on Craig Fitzgibbon’s facet had been up in opposition to it and scraped a late four-pointer however had been unable to attain a deciding attempt within the remaining 9 minutes.
Fitzgibbon was scathing of the referees failing to penalise Corey Horsburgh for holding Hunt within the scrum within the fiftieth minute, but additionally didn’t maintain again on his participant.
“Royce shouldn’t have retaliated like that, especially not while we were defending our goal line,” he mentioned.
The Sharks have an opportunity to bounce again this week in opposition to their rivals, the Dragons, and Fitzgibbon can be determined for a response. Nicho Hynes’ return ought to ship that. Don’t write them off but.
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9. COWBOYS
Last week’s rank: eighth (down one spot)
Analysis: The Cowboys acquired off to a flyer in opposition to the Warriors at dwelling, however folded badly to complete and not using a attempt after the thirteenth minute.
New Zealand got here away with a 26-12 victory at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with Todd Payten left shaking his head.
North Queensland now sit fifteenth after three rounds after beautiful the NRL world to fit into third final season.
Payten cited a “lack of trust” as the rationale behind his facet’s early season woes, however the Cowboys may be excused for some rust within the first three rounds after an enormous 2022 marketing campaign.
North Queensland face the Titans in Round 4 — a sport they are going to be hoping again change their fortunes. They stay a real contender.
8. WARRIORS
Last week’s rank: 14th (up six spots)
Analysis: The Warriors have been one of many shock packages of the 2023 season and sit fourth after three rounds, a far-cry from their fifteenth positioned end final 12 months.
New Zealand, beneath new coach Andrew Webster, are taking part in free-flowing soccer and look harmful in assault with Shaun Johnson returning to harmful kind.
The Warriors additionally got here away with a gutsy win in opposition to the Cowboys in Round 3, bouncing again from a defeat in opposition to the Roosters every week prior.
New Zealand scored a powerful 5 tries to down one of many premiership contenders in an announcement efficiency.
Young gun Taine Tuaupiki was additionally strong in his NRL debut, proving to be a strong back-up for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Luke Metcalf.
7. BULLDOGS
Last week’s rank: tenth (up three spots)
Analysis: While the Bulldogs scored their second victory in a row over the Tigers, it wasn’t precisely easy crusing at Belmore.
The Tigers had been in a position to rating three tries in solely 4 minutes to convey the sport again a four-point conflict, crumbling in defence within the second half.
Despite the late fade, Canterbury-Bankstown sit in eighth after three rounds, scoring wins over the merger membership and the Storm.
Matt Burton delivered a robust efficiency within the halves in Round 3, with younger gun centre Paul Alamoti additionally forging a robust partnership with Josh Addo-Carr on the left edge.
The Bulldogs face the Warriors overseas this week, in a take a look at of the place each groups are at early within the season.
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6. RABBITOHS
Last week’s rank: third (down three spots)
Analysis: The Rabbitohs went right down to their cross-town rivals in a bitter Sydney conflict in Round 3, dropping 20-18 in a good affair.
South Sydney sprung into motion when it was too late, scoring within the 78th minute earlier than Latrell Mitchell tried a 40-metre subject purpose to degree the sport.
Jason Demetriou’s facet now sit 1-2 after three rounds and have misplaced key troops following the bodily conflict.
Gun prop Tevita Tatola will sit out for various weeks with an MCL damage, whereas Shaquai Mitchell can be sidelined with a lisfranc blow.
South Sydney have solely managed a Round 1 win in opposition to the Sharks to date this season, however have confronted three of the competitors heavyweights early of their 2023 marketing campaign.
Now they face a purple scorching Manly facet, with each groups being contenders to carry the trophy on the season’s finish.
5. ROOSTERS
Last week’s rank: ninth (up 4 spots)
Analysis: Trent Robinon’s males recorded an enormous victory in Round 3, beating their bitter rivals 20-18 and holding out the Rabbitohs late surge.
It was an announcement victory for the Tricolours after beginning their marketing campaign with an enormous hiccup in opposition to the Dolphins.
The Roosters had been additionally not at their finest in opposition to the Warriors in Round 2, however with an enormous response in Round 3 — Robinson’s facet have struck concern into the hearts of their rivals.
The Roosters now benefit from the bye this week after a bodily cross-town derby and can benefit from the much-needed relaxation earlier than they put together for his or her Round 5 conflict with the Eels at Allianz Stadium.
4. SEA EAGLES
Last week’s rank: fifth (up one spot)
Analysis: Manly confirmed they’re a pressure to be reckoned with, scoring an enormous victory over the Eels in Round 3.
Anthony Seibold’s facet gained 34-30 at Brookvale, with a late Haumole Olakau’atu attempt sealing two factors from a horror J’maine Hopgood error.
The Sea Eagles are but to lose a sport in 2023, having gained the inaugural pre-season problem previous to the common season.
Tom Trbojevic is firing, however is but to hit prime gear, whereas younger gun Josh Schuster delivered an attacking masterclass in opposition to Parramatta.
The former backrower assisted his fullback twice, with a deft chip excessive the spotlight of his first look of 2023. He is firming as key to the Sea Eagles probabilities of going all the best way this season.
Manly are nicely and really stamping their declare as premiership contenders and one other win over the Rabbitohs will see their shares soar.
3. DOLPHINS
Last week’s rank: 4th (up one spot)
Analysis: Wayne Bennett’s NRL newcomers proceed to defy the percentages.
Just once you thought they could lastly present indicators of weak point, the Dolphins responded, scoring 4 second half tries, two within the remaining 5 minutes to take a 36-20 win over the Knights.
Even with out key dummy-half Jeremy Marshall-King, the Dolphins look harmful, with each Sean O’Sullivan and Isaiya Katoa performing because the competitors’s youngest halves pairing.
Connelly Lemuele continues to shine alongside the veteran ahead pack made up of former Storm enforcers.
Tom Gilbert has additionally been a real workhorse at lock and the Cowboys can be regretting their determination to let him go.
The NRL’s seventeenth franchise are stamping their declare to play finals soccer however face their hardest take a look at but in Round 4, arising in opposition to their Brisbane rivals.
2. PANTHERS
Last week’s rank: 2nd (no motion)
Analysis: The Panthers acquired every week to relaxation and get better with the bye in Round 3 in a well timed enhance with each Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai struggling niggling accidents in Round 2.
After a disappointing begin to the 12 months in opposition to the Broncos, the reigning premiers bounced again with an enormous win over the Rabbitohs.
Ivan Cleary’s males held a 10-0 lead going into halftime and the 16-10 remaining scoreline wasn’t reflective of Penrith’s dominance in that conflict.
The Panthers nonetheless stay favourites to carry the trophy come the season’s finish and face an enormous grand remaining rematch on Thursday.
Cleary’s males can be determined handy their cross-town rivals an 0-4 begin to the season and hold them lodged to the underside of the desk.
1. BRONCOS
Last week’s rank: 1st (no motion)
Analysis: The Broncos seemed clunky for 70 minutes in opposition to the Dragons, earlier than surging into motion with each Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh taking part in starring roles in a 40-18 victory over the Dragons.
The Red V had Brisbane’s measure going into halftime, however a late surge from Kevin Walters facet noticed the Red Hill membership rating a staggering 22 factors in 10 minutes.
The Broncos may very well be the actual deal in 2023 and sit atop of the ladder after three rounds, equal with the Dolphins.
Key forwards Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan have been glorious for the Broncos, whereas Adam Reynolds has been constant as soon as once more.
If the Broncos can beat the Dolphins in a cross-town grudge match this week, they may prolong their lead on the prime of the ladder after which take pleasure in a softer draw within the coming weeks.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
