SYDNEY - Title favourites Brisbane, Parramatta and Sydney Roosters all won, and Melbourne and the Bulldogs produced a small piece of history, during the opening round of the National Rugby League.
At Melbourne's Colonial Stadium, the Storm's new home ground, a late try carried the Bulldogs to a 14-10 success yesterday in the first rugby league match played under a closed roof.
The Bulldogs made the early running, and former Warrior centre Nigel Vagana set up second-rower Darren Smith for the game's opening try.
Down 8-2 at halftime, the Storm tied the scores when a 60m break by centre Junior Langi led to winger Marcus Bai going over.
Kiwi five-eighth Tasea Lavea converted for his third goal of the afternoon and edged Melbourne ahead.
But with six minutes showing on the clock, giant Bulldogs reserve Willie Mason charged over for the decisive score.
At Shark Park, young St George-Illawarra forward Mark Riddell, on debut, scored two quick tries deep in the second half to seal a 30-6 win over the disappointing Sharks.
The Dragons, led by Kiwi prop Craig Smith and under new coach Andrew Farrar, built their five-try-to-one victory on a strong performance from their forwards.
In the season-opening double-header at Stadium Australia on Saturday, impressive wins to Parramatta and the Sydney Roosters confirmed their billing as serious title contenders.
Parramatta's "Baby Eels," skippered by Kiwi frontrower Nathan Cayless, showed their attacking flair in thumping Penrith 40-4.
The match was effectively over by halftime.
By then the Eels had scored five tries and gone out to a 28-0 lead.
Northern Eagles reject Jason Taylor, at halfback, revelled behind a dominant pack in which second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh shone.
The Eels ended with seven tries, including one to New Zealand forward David Solomona, an off-season signing from the Roosters.
The Roosters, with skipper Brad Fittler and second-rower Bryan Fletcher firing, downed Wests Tigers 30-16.
They also dominated early, going out to a 20-0 lead during the first half.
In Townsville, North Queensland were on course to produce a huge upset before they succumbed to an agonising, 18-17 loss to defending champions Brisbane.
The perennial strugglers have never beaten the Broncos, but they more than held their own last night, leading 16-12 in the final quarter after fullback Julian O'Neill converted his own try from wide out.
A field goal extended the margin to five points, but the Broncos escaped thanks to a runaway try scored under the posts by replacement back Chris Walker with seven minutes to go.
- NZPA
NRL teams - How they line up
Rugby League: Storm fade under roof
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.