NRL: Broncos new title fancies

Brisbane's Alex Glenn races away for a try against the Warriors on Saturday night. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Brisbane have rocketed in NRL premiership favouritism on the back of their undefeated start to the season that leaves the Broncos alone at the top of the ladder.

Brisbane's 26-10 win over the previously undefeated Warriors on Saturday night in Auckland made the 2006 premiers the latest hot ticket in the NRL as they jumped to equal second favourites behind defending champions Manly.

The Broncos are $6 to win the premiership, behind Manly at $5.50, with Melbourne also rated the biggest threat to the Sea Eagles after their gutsy 26-12 win over North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night.

Significantly for the Broncos they've now beaten the Warriors, Storm and Cowboys in the first three weeks of the season - all clubs considered major title threats.

"It's good to be three and zero but things can change pretty quickly," said new coach Ivan Henjak.

"We're not going to get carried away with that."

Last week it was the Warriors who firmed in the premiership market after their come-from-behind win over Manly.

But with the loss to the Broncos and with test centre Brent Tate ruled out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee, the Auckland fell out of favour to $8, just ahead of the Cowboys ($9) who have won just one of three games.

The Warriors face a tough task next Sunday hosting second-placed South Sydney.

The Rabbitohs jumped up the ladder with a brilliant 22-12 come-from-behind win over Newcastle on Sunday, with returning utility Craig Wing scoring a double.

The key to the victory was Wing and Issac Luke's midfield dominance as they had a hand in all four tries for Souths.

Coach Jason Taylor said the two-pronged little man attack would become a permanent fixture of his side in weeks to come.

"They are both important players and certainly I was not ever thinking about just rotating them through dummy half," he said.

"The play was always to have, when Issac came back on, Wingy move to a different role where he can play a combination of everything."

South Sydney is one of eight clubs with two wins from three games, with the Gold Coast, Bulldogs, Melbourne, St George Illawarra, Parramatta, Wests Tigers and Warriors all making positive starts.

However the Bulldogs, who lost 20-12 to the Gold Coast on Friday, will drop out of the top eight this week unless they win their appeal against a two-point penalty for fielding 14 men against Penrith.

St George Illawarra continued their defensive shutout under coach Wayne Bennett with a 10-6 win over Cronulla at Kogarah on Sunday to also move to two wins for 2009.

The Sharks' second successive loss was made worse by a serious neck injury to star recruit Trent Barrett who was rushed to hospital.

Parramatta "jagged" victory from an unlucky Canberra side on Saturday night, winning 18-16 as the Raiders had three tries disallowed.

The Raiders remain winless this year along with Penrith and premiers Manly, who meet tonight at Brookvale Oval.

David Furner said the Raiders would remain positive as he continues to search for his first win as a coach.

"We have got a lot of character in this squad," he said.

"It was a very hard lesson (to lose).

"I was proud of their efforts. The players will take it up for each other that is for sure."

- AAP