The 2025 NRL season is less than a month away, and with the Panthers eyeing an incredible fifth-straight premiership, every other team is fine-tuning their lineups in order to mount a serious challenge.
Return to this page for the latest scores, match reports and any injury news to come out of the Pre-season Challenge.
WEEK 3
Friday, February 21
Manly Sea Eagles 22 - 38 Penrith Panthers
Leichhardt Oval
Panthers' youngsters shine in win over Manly
Penrith have once again proven their NRL depth knows no bounds, with the four-time defending premiers beating Manly in their pre-season fixture despite the club's top squad already being in Las Vegas.
Fielding just six players with first-grade experience, the Panthers raced to a 22-6 halftime lead at Lecihhardt Oval before running out 38-22 victors.
Granted, Manly had also rested their big names, with the Trbojevic trio, Daly Cherry-Evans, Hamole Olakau'atu, Jason Saab and Taniela Paseka among those left on ice.
Still, the Sea Eagles had up to eight players in their team likely to feature in their round-one side against North Queensland.
And they were outplayed by the Panthers, whose top squad flew out for Vegas on Thursday ahead of their season opener against Cronulla.
Penrith's halfback Trent Toelau was particularly impressive, fooling Manly's defence with a dummy to score from 10 metres.
He also kicked twice for tries, once with pinpoint accuracy for winger David Fale and another through a grubber for Tom Jenkins.
Toelau played 12 NRL games off the bench for Penrith last season, and is low in the depth charts for a starting spot this season.
But he did show on Thursday night he had the potential to keep a cool head if called upon.
Fale also bagged two tries in the win, and cleverly intercepted a Tolu Koula ball in the lead-up to Jenkins' try.
For Manly, Lehi Hopoate was again their best for a second straight trial match, after being shifted from the wing to fullback early on after Clayton Faulalo suffered a head knock.
Siua Taukeiaho also showed some promise in his bid to play his first NRL match since 2022, having two stints and putting Ethan Bullemor through a gap to score.
- AAP
Wests Tigers 30 - 18 Parramatta Eels
Leichhardt Oval
Iongi stars for Eels but Tigers give fans more hope
Isaiah Iongi has given Parramatta a first glimpse of life after Clint Gutherson, showing zip and speed in their 30-18 pre-season loss to Wests Tigers.
On a night when Tigers centre Brent Naden suffered a serious knee injury and Terrell May impressed for his new club, it was Iongi whose star shone brightest.
The Eels fullback scored a try and set up another, in his first full hit-out in the No.1 jersey after a brief 25-minute stint last week.
Signed from Penrith with a single NRL game to his name, Iongi looms as a crucial part of Jason Ryles' first year as coach after the Eels moved Gutherson on.
And the initial signs were good for Iongi on Friday night during a 60-minute hit out at Leichhardt Oval.
The No.1 broke seven tackles for the game, and made an immediate statement when he scored the Eels' first.
Swinging around behind a 30-metre scrum to take the ball at first receiver, Iongi dummied and burnt three Tigers defenders for his opening try.
The 21-year-old then set up the Eels' next before halftime, putting a cut-out ball on the chest of winger Sean Russell to score.
With Dylan Brown and Mitch Moses rested, and Josh Addo-Carr kept on ice for the first hour, Parramatta's attack otherwise lacked polish at times on Friday night.
The Tigers, meanwhile, gave the 4812 fans at Leichhardt plenty of hope for 2025.
It was at the same ground that Tigers players were given a standing ovation at halftime in a trial against Manly in 2021, before yet another doomed campaign.
But unlike so many false dawns in recent years, there is genuine reason for hope at the joint-venture in 2025.
With big-name recruit Jarome Luai and hooker Api Koroisau kept in cotton wool on Friday night, Lachlan Galvin and Adam Doueihi stood up.
Galvin had a moment of brilliance when he burst through and combined with Doueihi to put Jeral Skelton over in the first half.
Doueihi's kicking game was also on song while in the halves, grubbering for a Naden four-pointer and landing a 40-20 in the set before a Jack Bird try.
May was also particularly impressive, running 112 metres in the first half alone.
For all the hype and excitement around four-time premiership winner Luai's arrival, the Tigers need props May, Royce Hunt and Fonua Pole to make an impact.
Naden was the one sour point for the Tigers.
The centre was left with a dislocated knee cap after his knee twisted in an awkward tackle, prompting serious concerns about a long injury lay off.
Naden is off contract at the end of the year, with any injury potentially having longer-lasting impacts in his bid to earn another NRL deal.
Saturday, February 22
St George Illawarra Dragons 46-26 South Sydney Rabbitohs
Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
More pain for Souths as Dragons clinch Charity Shield
St George Illawarra have claimed a 46-26 Charity Shield victory to leave South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett with more questions than answers as he attempts to save the Rabbitohs' NRL season before it has begun.
After a week in which Cameron Murray was ruled out for the rest of the year and Latrell Mitchell was sidelined for the first six weeks of the season, Jamie Humphreys emerged as a beacon of light for the Rabbitohs on Saturday.
The sample size is small but already the 23-year-old halfback looks set to place major pressure on Souths' key off-season recruit Lewis Dodd.
English No.7 Dodd struggled for much of the first half at Mudgee's Glen Willow Oval and did not return in the second stanza.
Dodd was retrospectively sin-binned by the bunker - an initiative being trialled during the pre-season challenge - for a first-half high shot on Red V winger Sione Finau.
The former St Helens halfback was forced to watch on as Humphreys scored a try and registered two try assists to make a compelling case to partner Cody Walker.
With Humphreys pulling the strings, the Rabbitohs recovered from trailing 34-10 at halftime to cut the Dragons' lead to just eight points by the hour mark.
Eventually the Dragons clicked back into gear and Shane Flanagan's men secured just their second Charity Shield win in the last decade.
Finau will steal the headlines with a four-try display before going off with a concussion but all of Flanagan's main off-season recruits had valuable contributions.
Val Holmes and Clint Gutherson both had two try assists in a first-half rampage and Lachlan Ilias impressed against his former club.
Ilias, who was shown the door after Souths signed Dodd last year and given a lifeline by Flanagan, crashed in for his side's third try of the afternoon and also set up Moses Suli in the second half.
"I feel good, I've been training really hard ... so just getting those reps under the belt and good to play in some hot weather too, test the body out a bit," Ilias told Fox League after his return from a serious leg injury.
"He's (coach Flanagan) won a comp, he know's what he's doing and he's our leader to take us to where we want to go."
Tries for Ilias, Mathew Feagai and Finau's quadruple put the Dragons in the box seat in the first half before livewire fullback Jye Gray helped Souths get on the board.
Gray, who will deputise for Mitchell, grubber-kicked to himself for Souths' opener before setting up Jayden Sullivan on the stroke of halftime.
In the second half, Humphreys burst into life to set up Keaon Koloamatangi for a double and diving over the line himself.
But hopes of running the Dragons down were quickly ended when Suli and Ryan Couchman found their way over the line.
The Rabbitohs face the Dolphins in their season-opening clash while the Dragons host Canterbury.
Brisbane Broncos 30-14 Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
5:30pm - Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
Injuries to Broncos big guns sour win over Bulldogs
Brisbane confirmed their early NRL premiership credentials with a 30-14 trial win over Canterbury, while injuries to Kotoni Staggs, Reece Walsh and Payne Haas have been confirmed as minor.
Fullback Walsh was on the bench with ice on his right knee after halftime at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe on Saturday, but the early word from the Broncos was that it was not serious.
Staggs, who has had calf and hamstring issues in the pre-season, left the field in the 13th minute with a quad complaint. The Broncos took no chances and he did not return to the paddock.
Prop forward Haas was off five minutes later with an ankle twinge.
There was initial concern from the Broncos bench considering he'd had an ankle clean-out in the pre-season. Haas sat on the bench for the rest of the match, but did not return.
AAP was told Haas had to change the orthotics in his shoes but was otherwise OK.
The Broncos confirmed all three would be right for round one.
"I'm sure they'll be fine," winger Jesse Arthars said.
"They're very important. They're obviously our leaders, so we look to them when it gets tough. Payno likes to lead from the front and we're going to need him in the season.
"We wanted to start hitting the ground running. We've had a really good block in the pre-season."
The Broncos are set to win the NRL Pre-Season Challenge for consecutive years. They were steely in defence early to repel the Bulldogs, and strong with the ball, with lock Kobe Hetherington, prop Pat Carrigan and hooker Cory Paix standouts.
Star recruit Ben Hunt had a hand in all three first-half tries, before coach Michael Maguire rested his big guns after the break.
Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey had an unhappy afternoon, with two spilled bombs leading to tries.
Half Toby Sexton and second-rower Jacob Preston were strong, but Canterbury were sloppy with and without the ball.
The influence of Hunt was on show early, with a deft kick that was bobbled by Arthars over the tryline.
Brisbane opened the scoring with a try to skipper Adam Reynolds, who picked up the scraps after a precision bomb by Hunt was dropped by Tracey.
Hunt was influential in the second try, holding up a pass that was burst on to by Walsh, who showed composure to send Arthars over.
Hunt sent half Jock Madden into space for winger Selwyn Cobbo to finish and give the Broncos a 14-0 lead at halftime.
Another Tracey error gifted Broncos centre Delouise Hoeter a try after the break.
A 60m burst from dummy-half by Preston for a cracking try lifted the Bulldogs, who added a second to winger Ratu Rinakama after slick work from five-eighth Matt Burton.
Bulldogs winger Blake Wilson reduced the lead to four, before Brisbane centre Deine Mariner and giant prop Ben Te Kura scored to ice the win.
Canterbury forward Josh Curran was put on report and sin-binned for a high shot on Jack Gosiewski.
Dolphins vs. Gold Coast Titans
7:30pm - Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
Foran injury blow as hot Titans spine sinks Dolphins
Gold Coast veteran Kieran Foran has been injured as the Titans spine sizzled in a 26-18 victory over the Dolphins in Redcliffe, but the champion playmaker has vowed he will bounce back even from a worst-case prognosis.
Foran, who came off the bench in Saturday's game, left the field late in the first half and ice was applied to the biceps area. He will go for scans to determine the extent of the injury.
The 34-year-old has had 17 surgeries in 17 years, the latest on an ankle in the recent off-season. He is ready to tackle a possible 18th.
"It won't be the end of me," Foran said.
"I am committed to this year and I am sticking strong to that. If it is worst-case scenario and it is surgery, I will get that done and knuckle down with my rehab and attack the back end of the year.
"I've got pretty good at dealing with these setbacks, so I'll just wait until I get a scan, hopefully tomorrow, and I'll see the damage.
"At this stage it is looking like a bicep."
The Dolphins also have concerns, with new recruit prop Daniel Saifiti suffering a hamstring injury in the seventh minute. Winger Jack Bostock will also go for scans on a knee injury sustained in the second half.
The Titans' new halves pairing Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson were on fire, while hooker Sam Verrills was crafty and fullback Keano Kini at his electric best.
"They were super. I thought the 9, 7, 6 and 1 were outstanding," Foran said.
Coach Des Hasler is set to run out that combination in the NRL, and he would have been licking his lips after this display.
"Jayden Campbell looks like a genuine No.7," former Brisbane coach and champion playmaker Kevin Walters said in Fox League commentary.
Campbell set up Brimson with a burst and grubber in the first half, before Brimson scooted 40m for his second after the break.
Kini started the match the same way he ended last year, with the Titans' player of the year in typical livewire form to score the game's first try.
He also set up a try with a grubber that was brilliantly snaffled by David Fifita, who flicked it to Jojo Fifita for a try.
Verrills looked in fine fettle and a slick ball provided Beau Fermor with a try.
The Dolphins welcomed back lock Tom Gilbert for his first game in a year after an ACL rupture. Gilbert was solid in a 30-minute hit-out and had ice on his knee after his stint, but it is understood he was not injured.
The Dolphins were sloppy and have plenty to work on, but did show glimpses of decent form. The highlight was a burst by second-rower Max Plath that set up Jake Averillo for a try.
New recruit Kulifefu Finefeuiaki put on several huge hits, while veteran prop Mark Nicholls impressed and scored a try.
Sunday, February 23
Sydney Roosters 10 - 48 Newcastle Knights
Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Knights sensation Sharpe blunts woeful Roosters in rout
Fletcher Sharpe put his stamp on the Newcastle No.6 jersey in a 48-10 demolition of a woeful Sydney Roosters outfit in Gosford.
To make matters worse for the Tricolours, representative prop Spencer Leniu was put on report and former Wallabies sensation Mark Nawaqanitawase finished the match with ice on his left calf.
Sharpe's speed, smarts and penchant for backing up led to him scoring two first-half tries as the Knights blitzed their way to a 36-4 lead at the break.
The 20-year-old scored 11 tries in 12 games as a fullback or winger last year.
His transformation to the playmaking role looks to be a masterstroke by coach Adam O'Brien.
The Roosters have lost a suite of stars and have key spine members Sam Walker and Brandon Smith on the injury list, but still they offered nothing in attack and their defence was threadbare.
Roosters dual-title winner Cooper Cronk, in TV commentary, lamented his old side's "lack of intensity in the middle" that led to the Knights making hay.
It was the Tricolours' defence on their own goal line that would have concerned Trent Robinson.
Unless the NRL powerhouse finds answers quickly they will be fodder for the bigger clubs this season.
Newcastle were red hot, with hooker Phoenix Crossland and State of Origin stars Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best on fire.
The Roosters lost Leniu to the sin bin in the third minute for a high shot on Crossland when Leniu suffered a knock to the head in the process. The category two concussion meant Leniu had to spend an extra five minutes off the field.
O'Brien's men made the Roosters pay with Crossland sending forward Jacob Saifiti over and Sharpe swooping after a loose Roosters pass to sprint 60m and open up a 12-0 lead.
Saifiti was awarded a penalty try after he was impeded from scoring by Nat Butcher after a Crossland kick.
Sharpe scored his second after linking with Bradman Best and the carnage continued.
Ponga started and finished a try on the cusp of halftime to complete the humiliation.
Speaking post-match on Fox League, Ponga said Sharpe had "definitely" made the five-eighth position his own.
"He has still got a lot of work to do but has definitely got the right attitude to do so," he said.
"He has had a great pre-season and hopefully that can set him up for a good year."
Melbourne Storm 24 - 36 North Queensland Cowboys
Casey Fields, Melbourne
Cowboys cruise to big win over Storm in final trial
Melbourne's enviable round one record is at risk after a winless pre-season but the signs are promising for North Queensland after a thumping 36-24 victory over the Storm in their NRL trial.
Both teams entered their final pre-season game in Melbourne with most of their stars on board, with the Cowboys taking plenty of confidence after the rousing victory over the 2024 grand finalists.
Fullback Scott Drinkwater bagged two tries among his side's seven, while young halfback Thomas Duffy looks certain to make his NRL debut in round one after an impressive showing.
Teenager Jaxon Purdue reassured North Queensland coach Todd Payten that there's life after Valentine Holmes, scoring a try in a convincing display in the centres.
John Bateman also showed he will be a handy acquisition, with the 31-year-old Englishman heavily involved.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy won't be happy with his team's outing as they build toward a round one meeting against the Jason Ryles-coached Parramatta.
Bellamy is looking to keep his remarkable record of never having lost an opening-round match alive, with the stretch currently at 21 straight wins.
Playing in Casey in outer south-east Melbourne, the home side were guilty of some sloppy ballwork and poor discipline, with skipper Harry Grant sin-binned midway through the first half after repeated team infringements.
North Queensland pushed out to an 18-10 lead by halftime, with the scoreline blowing out in the second half as Melbourne's defence fell away when they emptied their bench.
The scoreline was out to 36-10 before Melbourne saved their blushes by scoring three late tries through youngster Keagan Russell-Smith, star siging Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore, who crossed in the 80th minute.
Play was temporarily halted with 15 minutes left when young fullback Hugo Peel was knocked out in a collision with teammate Coby Williamson, with the 19-year-old taken off the field in an ambulance.
Initial reports suggested this was merely a precautionary measure, but the Storm had earlier lost starting fullback Sua Faalago to a tight hamstring.
First choice No.1 Ryan Papenhuyzen is also in doubt for round one after sitting out the trial with lower leg soreness.
(All times listed in AEDT)
WEEK TWO
Thursday, February 13
Canberra Raiders 10 - 40 Cronulla Sharks
GIO Stadium Canberra
Nicho shines as Sharks overrun Raiders in NRL trial
Cronulla talisman Nicho Hynes has put the competition on notice with a stand-out performance against Canberra in the NRL's pre-season challenge.
In 50 minutes at GIO Stadium on Thursday night, the gifted halfback scored one try, assisted two and was unlucky not to have set up another as the Sharks came from behind to run over the top of a young Raiders side 40-10.
Canberra started at full strength, except for captain Joe Tapine and fellow forward Corey Horsburgh, but despite early signs of promise, capitulated meekly once the starting squad was rotated through towards the end of the opening period.
The Sharks' back-up brigade showed more promise.
Towering prop Tuku Hau Tapuha and centre Chris Vea'ila scored tries, while new recruit Addin Fonua-Blake showed signs of things to come, barging his way through the Raiders' defence to score his first four-pointer since his off-season switch from the Warriors.
The moment of the match, however, came from Canberra fullback Kaeo Weekes, who produced a piece of individual brilliance to open the scoring.
The young speedster, who has a mortgage on the Raiders' No.1 jersey following the departure of Jordan Rapana, blitzed past a half-cooked Sharks chasing pack on his 10m line before running 60 metres and handing the ball to Ethan Strange to run it in under the crossbar.
Sebastian Kris then put the home side 10-0 up, running onto a loose ball batted back from recruit Savelio Tamale, on the end of a Jamal Fogarty bomb.
But then it was Hynes, as it so often is, who inspired Cronulla back to their best.
He got the Sharks on the board after Ronaldo Mulitalo knocked down a Braydon Trindall bomb before setting up Samuel Stonestreet on the wing with a pin-point cut-out pass to set up a two-point lead at halftime.
Stonestreet dropped a carbon copy play cold soon after the interval when he had a clear path to the tryline, but it mattered little.
The Sharks scored another 28 points unanswered, with additional tries to Trindall, Hau Tapuha, Vea'ila, Fonua-Blake and Jesse Ramien, as Hynes iced his quad on the sidelines after being give a half-hour early mark.
Both coaches will be glad to have seen out the pre-season without any major injuries, but Ricky Stuart would've had his heart in his mouth as his son Jed's bloodied face was patched up after a nasty head-knock late in the second half.
-- AAP
Friday, February 14
Newcastle Knights 18 - 44 Parramatta Eels
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Brown makes statement in bright new Ryles rule at Eels
The new era at Parramatta under rookie coach Jason Ryles has started with a bang, with superstar five-eighth Dylan Brown and several new signings in top form in a 44-18 win over Newcastle.
Former Warriors playmaker Ronald Volkman, playing his first game for 17 months, was on fire, while the skills of new fullback Isaiah Iongi would have thrilled Ryles in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge clash in Newcastle.
The 21-year-old Iongi, recruited from Penrith as a replacement for club legend Clint Gutherson, chimed into the backline with panache to send winger Jake Tago over to score in the first half as the visitors took a 22-4 lead after 40 minutes.
All eyes were on Brown and he delivered for the Eels.
The New Zealand international, who has a clause in his contract allowing him to test the market for the 2026 season until round 10, has been under scrutiny in the pre-season as his management seeks $1.2 million per season.
Ryles said before the match on Fox League that his commitment had been top-shelf at training.
Brown started the clash on fire to score in the third minute from a scrum, with his strength and deception to the fore. Later in the half he sent Joash Papalii over with a slick pass.
Volkman, playing half, showed he is going to be a wonderful back-up for Mitchell Moses and Brown this year. Two no-look passes from Volkman led to tries, the second an absolute corker
Released by the Warriors at the end of 2023, the 22-year-old was controversially meant to join St George Illawarra.
The Dragons announced they had signed Volkman, before a medical examination revealed a serious shoulder injury that would rule him out for the season.
Volkman was then cut by the Dragons, given his contract had not been formally registered with the NRL, and was unable to secure a deal elsewhere.
The Dragons accepted a $40,000 suspended fine, Volkman had successful shoulder surgery and Parramatta signed him.
The Knights have switched 2024 outside-back sensation Fletcher Sharpe to five-eighth and he had moments of class and other glitches that showed he is a work in progress.
Sharpe, who was involved in much of the side's most promising attack, has speed to burn and once he settles into the new role will no doubt fine-tune the rough edges.
The beauty of the 20-year-old is how he can pop up just about anywhere and use his rugby league smarts to create options.
Former Canterbury forward Kitione Kautoga unveiled power and passion in the back row for Parramatta.
-- AAP
North Queensland Cowboys 8 - 50 Dolphins
Barlow Park, Cairns
Dolphins thrash Cowboys to give Woolf a great headache
Sean O'Sullivan and Kurt Donoghoe starred to inspire the Dolphins' so-called second-string spine to a sensational 50-8 thrashing of North Queensland and send a warning shot to the NRL that there is life after Wayne Bennett.
Queensland under-19s gun LJ Nonu scored a hat-trick on the wing to stamp the Ipswich junior as a star in the making.
Captain O'Sullivan, playing at No.7, was instrumental in most of the side's six first-half tries as fullback Donoghoe, five-eighth Jake Averillo and hooker Harrison Graham created havoc in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge clash in Cairns.
Dolphins prop Josh Allen, the son of Brisbane and Queensland front-rower Gavin Allen, made a statement in the first 40 minutes that he is an NRL player of the future. Second-rowers Aublix Tawha and James Walsh were also enormous.
O'Sullivan, off-contract at the end of the year, made a compelling claim to be considered for the round-one NRL clash with South Sydney with his organisation, kicking and passing game on-song.
Averillo scored a first-half try with skill and speed, and versatile PNG international Donoghoe had two try assists and showcased blistering speed .
Nonu, a Queensland under-19 representative, crossed for two first-half tries to give the visitors a 34-4 lead at the break, then scored the first try of the second stanza with brute strength.
New coach Kristian Woolf, who has clearly had a key influence on how the Dolphins played, was in the coaches' box with his assistant Nathan Fien, who had been given oversight of the team for the trial.
Woolf has now got a tougher selection call to make for the NRL season opener after so many of his fringe top-17 players shone.
It was a perplexing and poor night for the Cowboys. Coach Todd Payten will have to write it off as a match where everything went wrong on both sides of the ball.
Second-rower Kai O'Donnell, formerly of Leigh Leopards, was one of their best.
PNG international Robert Derby, who had a tough evening, scored a second-half try with a clinical finish.
-- AAP
Saturday, February 15
New Zealand Warriors 36-10 Melbourne Storm
Luke Metcalf has shown there can be attacking life after Shaun Johnson at the Warriors, leading his side to a 36-10 pre-season flogging of a second-strength Melbourne in Hamilton.
In the Warriors' last hit out before their NRL round-one match in Las Vegas and playing on a field modified in size accordingly, Metcalf starred in the No.7 jersey with a hand in four tries on Saturday.
Rising centre Ali Leiataua also showed his strike at centre, bagging a double as part of a 36-0 first-half rout, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's sidestep was on show as he scored twice.
Melbourne's side looked nothing like the one that will face Parramatta in round one, with star recruit Stefano Utoikamanu the only guaranteed starter in their team.
Such was the Storm's inexperience, they completed only five sets in the first 30 minutes as the Warriors had 75 per cent of possession.
That meant Utoikamanu had little impact in his first game for the Storm.
But while Melbourne will likely roll out a stronger side against North Queensland next Sunday, this was an important afternoon for the Warriors.
The retirements of halfback Johnson and captain Tohu Harris have landed them in wooden-spoon conversations in the pre-season, with particular concerns over their attack.
But Metcalf has the potential to be the club's attacking future.
After being ravaged by injuries and limited to 26 games since his 2021 debut, he has the chance to make the No.7 jersey his own this year.
The 25-year-old set up the Warriors' first try when he went to the line and created the numbers for Leiataua to bat on a ball for Taine Tuaupiki to score.
Another came in similar fashion when the half went to the right again and straightened up, creating the space for Tuaupiki to cross for his second.
Taking charge of the attack, Metcalf put up another bomb that led to a try when Storm winger Setu Tu spilled the ball and Tuivasa-Sheck crossed.
He also created the space for Leiataua to score before the break, with the centre dummying, pushing and forcing his way over from 20 metres out.
It was one of two tries for the 22-year-old, who barged over from close distance from a Te Maire Martin pass.
Chanel Harris-Tavita also impressed at five-eighth, changing the point of direction in the lead up to another Tuivasa-Sheck try.
Playing back on the wing this season, Tuivasa-Sheck showed all his old silky skills by stepping Sualauvi Faalogo from close distance.
Harris-Tavita then had a try of his own when he stepped and jinked through the Storm's right-edge defence.
Metcalf and the vast majority of the Warriors' top team did not return after halftime, before the Storm scored twice through Kane Bradley and Ben Talty.
The Warriors will face a far tougher challenge against Canberra in Vegas, but they have shown their potential to prosper post-Johnson.
-- AAP
South Sydney Rabbitohs 24-34 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
South Sydney are expected to be scrutinised by the NRL after a suspected paramedic booking bungle caused a 100-minute delay to their trial match against Manly, almost forcing the game to be abandoned.
Manly eventually ran out 34-24 winners in Gosford, with Lehi Hopoate impressing in attack and young winger Navren Willett scoring a double.
New Rabbitohs halfback Lewis Dodd helped set up a try but otherwise had limited opportunities to impress, as the Wayne Bennett era kicked off with few regular first-graders.
Sea Eagles forward Taniela Paseka suffered a suspected low-grade shoulder injury in the win, while Souths utility Siliva Havili ended the match with a concussion.
The match was slated to start at 3.30pm AEDT but, with no paramedic on site at Central Coast Stadium, it became doubtful whether it would get underway at all.
It's understood a booking oversight likely led to the issue.
The NRL, who were making inquiries around the circumstances on Saturday evening, did not comment.
South Sydney CEO Blake Solly confirmed to AAP the club were looking into the matter.
"We're reviewing the circumstances of the delay to the start of the game, and we will comment when the review is complete," Solly said.
A medical emergency was initially thought to be the catalyst for the delay, after a spectator suffered a suspected heart attack in the lead up to the match.
An ambulance had to be called, with paramedics arriving and taking the woman to Gosford Hospital.
But, after those treating paramedics left, there were no on-duty medicos at the ground.
Home clubs are responsible for booking paramedics for matches, with NRL guidelines requiring an intensive care unit paramedic and one other.
The NRL attempted to make calls to NSW Ambulance requesting personnel for the game, but they were unable to guarantee one at late notice.
After a 30-minute delay, a plea was eventually broadcast over the stadium's loudspeaker - asking for any intensive care paramedics in the crowd to come forward.
An intensive care paramedic and intensive care unit doctor presented themselves, with the NRL then weighing up whether the duo could cover the match.
Eventually the game was given the go ahead, following a series of calls involving NRL hierarchy, senior medical staff and head of football Graham Annesley.
If a booking oversight is found to have caused the delay, the NRL has the ability to issue the home club a breach notice and hand down a fine.
The episode comes after a similar issue occurred in the NRLW last year at a Parramatta home game.
When Saturday's game did start, Manly were the better undermanned team.
Hopoate was influential in the lead up to both their opening tries to winger Willett, putting him over for the first and making a break on the play before his second.
Fellow winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega also forced his way over for two tries, with the first the result of a nice ball from halfback Jake Arthur.
Clayton Faulalo scored another, while hooker Jake Simpkin pressed his claims for the No.9 jersey in round one against North Queensland when he crossed from a 20-metre dummy-half run.
Dodd played the first half and would have had an assist had his outside men not spilled a kick.
But the Englishman did have some influence when he returned late, putting Declan Casey into space for a Bayleigh Bentley-Hape try as the Rabbitohs put on a flurry of points at the death.
NRL All Stars 2025
Women
Indigenous 20-18 Maori
The Indigenous team have claimed a second-straight - and dramatic - women's All Stars win, scoring a last-minute penalty through Lailani Montgomery to defeat the Maori 20-18.
Montgomery was awarded a shot from right under the sticks after the playmaker's legs were taken out while attempting a field goal just a minute earlier.
Maori five-eighth Ash Quinlan was the guilty party and replays showed she made glancing contact with Montgomery's planted legs.
Bunker official Matt Noyen awarded a penalty for the Indigenous and Montgomery nudged the ball through the sticks to seal the win.
The loud Maori contingent which formed part of the 14,279 crowd at CommBank Stadium on Saturday made their feelings known as the Indigenous team celebrated.
Their victory was the first time a team had won back-to-back games in the women's All Stars since its inception in 2019.
"I don't want to take anything away from our (Indigenous) sisters," said Maori captain Shannon Mato.
"Coming down to the final (minute) on the clock and not get the win, it's going to be devastating for us because we've had so much support.
"It's a funny feeling I have right now."
The Indigenous side's victory was all the more impressive given starting five-eighth Kirra Dibb failed to finish the match due to an ankle injury.
Had Dibb been fit, Montgomery would have likely seen limited gametime.
"My first word is 'wow'," said Indigenous hooker Quincy Dodd.
"She (Montgomery) is an incredible human being and on that field there she took it with both hands. She executed it so well.
"Kirra is an amazing player and to step into her shoes, she did the best for us and got us those two points at the end there.
"She will always remember this game and this week."
Concern lingered surrounding Bobbi Law, who was the victim of a Tiana Raftstrand-Smith hip-drop tackle that led to the Maori back-rower spending time in the sin-bin in the second half.
Dibb had helped get the Indigenous side off to a red-hot start when a well-weighted kick to the right flank was touched down by Monique Donovan.
Jaime Chapman was next to breach the Maori line, the Gold Coast flyer chiming in from deep to push the Indigenous All Stars further ahead.
Chapman's try was her fifth at this level, making her the leading Indigenous tryscorer in the history of the women's All Stars clash.
The Titans speedster's effort seemed to spark the Maori into life and in the space of 10 minutes, they sliced through the Indigenous line on three separate occasions.
Chante Temara got the Maori going with a barge-over out of dummy half before Laikha Clarke bashed her way over next to the posts.
Lilly-Ann White was next to find a gap in the Indigenous line when she cut back against the grain, with Raecene McGregor converting all three tries.
The Maoris' defence was impressive but they eventually wilted when they were reduced to 12 and Ella Koster finished in the corner.
After missing her conversion, Montgomery kicked a penalty goal to make it 18-18.
McGregor shanked one field goal attempt in pursuit of a winner.
And Montgomery did likewise but she was given a second chance from the tee in the final minute to wrap up the win.
-- AAP
Men
Indigenous 6-10 Maori
The Maori have claimed an attritional and gutsy 10-6 All Stars rugby league win over the Indigenous.
In the lowest-scoring game since the inception of the All Stars match in 2010, tries from Jacob Laban and Jesse Arthars cancelled out Shaquai Mitchell's four-pointer.
Arthars was the winner of the Preston Campbell medal as the best player of Saturday's game at Commbank Stadium.
Cronulla playmaker Niwhai Puru had the chance to win it for the Indigenous at the death but he dropped the ball as he attempted to ground it.
It meant the Maoris were able to hang on and avoid a third-straight loss in the annual pre-season match.
The low-scoring affair was not aided by the absences of several key stars of both cultures, chief among them Latrell Mitchell and Jahrome Hughes.
A slippery surface which led to several players falling to the turf in front of a 21,328-strong crowd did not help the coherence of either attack on a humid night in Sydney's west.
The Indigenous went closest to crossing in the first half.
Maori fullback Kalyn Ponga made an incredible last-ditch tackle on Tyrone Munro to prevent him from touching down on the right wing.
Josh Curran also had a try chalked off after Indigenous fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was deemed to have impeded Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
It meant that the scoreline after 40 minutes read 0-0.
But any fears that the All Stars clash would end with a 1-0 scoreline as Super League's season opener did two days earlier, quickly disappeared when Mitchell burst over.
The front-rower was able to spin and bounce off the Maori defence before reaching out to dot the ball down right on the tryline in the 41st minute.
Puru added the conversion for the Indigenous side, who were unable to hammer home their advantage with Tabuai-Fidow having a try ruled out.
Eventually the Maori hit back with Brisbane winger Arthars steaming down the right flank to gp over but Mawene Hiroti could not tie the game up from the tee.
Hiroti nearly made amends after scooping up a loose ball and racing 60m downfield but unfortunately for the Cronulla man, Brent Naden was in hot pursuit and was able to run him down.
Hiroti's shortcomings were eventually cancelled out when a Zach Dockar-Clay bomb was picked off by Laban, who touched down to give the Maori a 10-6 lead with 12 minutes left.
Naden and Puru both went close to snatching a win for the Indigenous but the Maori defence was faultless at the death.
-- AAP
Sunday, February 16
Brisbane Broncos 50 - 12 Gold Coast Titans
3:30pm - Toowoomba Sports Ground, Toowoomba
Paix makes claim for No.9 as Broncos smash Titans
Cory Paix has made a compelling case at hooker to be included in Brisbane's round-one NRL side after shining in a 50-12 trial win over woeful Gold Coast.
Lock Kobe Hetherington, pushing to be the new No.13 for the Broncos, was also outstanding in a dominant display in Toowoomba on Sunday.
Paix, a Toowoomba junior, recovered from a lower-leg injury to take his place as starting hooker and was sharp.
It was a strong showing all-round from the 25-year-old, who darted over from dummy-half to score in front of family and friends.
Paix backed it up with a superb second try of his own in a crafty run-around move with prop Corey Jensen in a short but sensational stint when the best players from both sides were on the park.
The Broncos have three hookers - Paix, Billy Walters and Tyson Smoothy - in the battle to be No.9 against Sydney Roosters in round one now that other contender Blake Mozer (shoulder) is injured.
Paix was overlooked by former coach Kevin Walters for the entire 2024 season, but has already become a favourite of new coach Michael Maguire for his outstanding work ethic and speed. He produced his A-game when the pressure was on.
Hetherington, in the mix to play lock if Queensland gun Pat Carrigan moves to prop, was strong.
Back-rower Brendan Piakura, in a battle with Jack Gosiewski to partner Jordan Riki in the second row, also boosted his chances.
Walters, playing in the halves in the first half, showcased the versatility to line up as a playmaker or dummy-half that will be crucial to him winning a spot in the top 17 on a regular basis.
The Titans are set to move AJ Brimson to five-eighth in this year's NRL season, where he played on Sunday, and it was a short kick from the former Queensland star that set up back-rower David Fifita for a late first-half try.
That was a minor highlight in a dismal display by the Titans, who lacked punch in the middle and were defensively lamentable.
Coach Des Hasler has multiple issues to deal with if the Titans are to make an impact in the 2025 season.
Broncos tyro 205cm prop Ben Te Kura, fresh from a superb opening trial game against Burleigh, made a strong run before Walters sent Gehamat Shibasaki over with a slick ball to open the scoring.
Te Kura came back on in the second half to score from close range. The Broncos led 24-6 at halftime and carved up in the second stanza as the Titans collapsed in a screaming heap.
-- AAP
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 20 - 14 Wests Tigers
5:30pm - Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Galvin on song as Tigers pipped by Dogs in NRL trial
Lachlan Galvin has shown no early signs that he'll fall victim to second-season syndrome as the five-eighth impressed in Wests Tigers' pre-season challenge clash with Canterbury.
Galvin, with just 21 NRL games to his name, was the most experienced player picked by Tigers coach Benji Marshall for Sunday's trial at Jubilee Oval as the Dogs won 20-14.
The 19-year-old Galvin produced the play of the match late in the first half when he shaped to kick on the last tackle and instead opted to run.
He flung the ball out wide to winger Alex Lobb, whose grubberkick back in-field was scooped up and put down by fullback Heath Mason.
Galvin's kicking game also stood out on a blustery afternoon and the livewire No. 6 went agonisingly close to nudging two 40/20s before being subbed off by Marshall at halftime.
The teenage playmaker was one of few highlights for Tigers fans in 2024.
And the joint-venture's long-suffering supporters will be hoping Galvin can strike up a combination with the club's marquee recruit Jarome Luai, who was mobbed for autographs as he watched from the stands.
Luai and Galvin are expected to have their first run-out together in next Friday's trial with Parramatta.
When Galvin went off at halftime the Tigers trailed 10-6, with Mason's effort cancelled out by tries to Jack Todd and Ratu Rinakama.
Rinakama crossed again in the second half and the rangy winger looks to have all the physical attributes which could lead to a promising NRL career.
Tigers centre Solomona Faataape scored a double and looked in good nick in his first hit-out for the year.
Faataape was hit with a breach notice for returning to pre-season training out of shape.
Canterbury were able to put the Tigers away late on with Jonathan Sua's try sealing the victory for a Dogs side laden with NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg players.
-- AAP
St George Illawarra Dragons 26 - 8 Sydney Roosters
7:30pm - Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Dragons see off Roosters in NRL trial win
St George Illawarra have claimed a 26-8 NRL pre-season challenge win and highlighted some concerns for the Sydney Roosters as they enter a new era.
Boasting one of the strongest starting teams in the trials so far, the Dragons outscored the Roosters five tries to two in front of a 7,281-strong crowd at Jubilee Oval on Sunday.
Perhaps no side in the NRL is under the microscope in 2025 as much as Trent Robinson's men.
They have lost more than 1000 games of experience over the off-season, headlined by the departures of Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii,
The Roosters have been adamant the turnover of top-line talent - exacerbated by long-term injuries to Brandon Smith and Sam Walker - will not prevent them from being a heavyweight come finals time.
And while Robinson named a side containing maybe eight or so players who would likely start in their round one clash with Brisbane, the Dragons were able to poke at some sore points.
Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan had some joy playing against his former club and crossed for his side's first try of the night next to the posts.
He then caused confusion with a grubberkick down Saints' left edge which halfback Chad Townsend and centre Rob Toia were unable to deal with.
Damien Cook scooped up and touched down before Flanagan again turned provider with a cut-out pass to Sione Finau, the winger on the same edge.
There were other defensive issues on the left side for the Roosters, with former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase and five-eighth Sandon Smith missing a handful of tackles each in the first half.
Nawaqanitawase started the game at left centre and spent part of the second half at fullback.
It was only when Dragons coach Shane Flanagan took some of his big guns off late in the first half that the Roosters got on the board when Smith set up Dominic Young.
Tyreece Tait scored for the Roosters in the second half and as the game wore on there was mostly a mix of NSW Cup players on display.
There was another convert of note on show.
Former Australian rugby sevens player Nathan Lawson had an encouraging stint on the wing for the Dragons.
He looked tidy under the high ball and helped set up Kade Reed, who scored the penultimate try before Mika Ravalawa crossed late on.
-- AAP
WEEK ONE
Friday, February 7
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 12-12 New Zealand Warriors
DWZ concern as Metcalf excels in Warriors-Sharks trial
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was an early casualty of the NRL's pre-season challenge as Luke Metcalf signalled the Warriors' future without Shaun Johnson was in good hands.
Watene-Zelezniak was subbed off midway through the first half in the Warriors' 12-12 trial draw with Cronulla at Shark Park on Friday night.
The New Zealand Test winger landed awkwardly as he challenged for a high ball and was taken off the field for further assessment.
It was not immediately known whether the injury would impact the prolific tryscorer's involvement in the Warriors' season-opener in Las Vegas.
Fellow winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was a late scratching on Friday and the Warriors were also without halves contenders Chanel Harris-Tavita and Tanah Boyd.
The absence of the two playmakers looks to have worked in the favour of Metcalf as coach Andrew Webster searches for a candidate to replace Shaun Johnson at halfback.
Wearing the No.7, Metcalf was lively with ball in hand, nudged an impressive 40/20, and registered a game-high 356 kicking metres.
His exploits came after the Sharks had taken an early lead through in-demand prop Tom Hazleton.
Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad soon cancelled out the home side's advantage to level the scores at 6-6 to end the first half.
Nicoll-Klokstad and Metcalf combined 12 minutes after the break to send Taine Tuaupiki over on the right edge.
With 20 minutes left, Webster gave Metcalf an early night and replaced him with Jett Cleary, the younger brother of Penrith ace Nathan.
Their father, Ivan, was on hand to watch Jett's first outing in Warriors colours alongside long-time Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris, who got through unscathed.
For Cronulla, the Puru twins - lock Hohepa and halfback Niwhai - looked like they will be pushing for NRL action over the course of 2025.
Hohepa's late try helped secure a draw for the Sharks.
Prop Braden Hamlin-Uele got valuable minutes under his belt and Siosifa Talakai lined up as a right-sided second-rower.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon kept the Sharks' big guns on ice and will likely let his more high profile names loose in next Thursday's second and final trial away to Canberra.
-- AAP
Saturday, February 8
Penrith Panthers 16-22 Canberra Raiders
Raiders outgun understrength Panthers
Canberra's "generation next" has sent a message to coach Ricky Stuart that they are ready for the rigours of first grade after downing Penrith in the NRL's pre-season challenge.
Led by a two-try performance from crafty hooker Owen Pattie, a largely second-string Canberra outfit claimed an 22-16 trial win over the Panthers at Shark Park on Saturday.
Penrith didn't pick a single one of their grand final heroes, but there was still plenty of intrigue over the side coach Ivan Cleary named.
Former Wests Tigers back-rower Isaiah Papali'i was solid on the left edge in his first outing for the Panthers, while Casey McLean - the leading contender to replace Sunia Turuva on the wing - churned through 115m.
With Nathan Cleary and Parramatta recruit Blaize Talagi both coming off summer surgeries heading into their Las Vegas season opener against Cronulla on March 2, neither Jack Cole nor Brad Schneider made a compelling case to become the first-drop back-up.
On the opposing side, Ethan Sanders showed glimpses why the Eels were so gutted to see him follow Talagi out the door at the end of last season.
Halfback Sanders had a hand in the Raiders' opening try when he ran deep into the line to set up Simi Sasagi for a short-range finish.
Penrith hit back through David Fale, but Pattie's introduction from the bench turned the game back in Canberra's favour.
Since Josh Hodgson's exit from the Green Machine in 2021, Stuart has chopped and changed his first-choice No.9.
Tom Starling, Danny Levi and the since-departed Zac Woolford have all shared hooking duties, but Pattie's performance would suggest he might not be far off from staking his own claim.
Pattie narrowly missed out on a first-half 40/20, was opportunistic out of dummy-half, and snuck in for two tries after the break.
Prop Noah Martin also charged over for the Raiders, before Sam Lane and Zack Lamont hit back for the Panthers late on.
Other highlights for the Raiders, who host Cronulla on Thursday night in their final trial, included former Warrington forward Matty Nicholson sitting Papali'i down with the hit of the night in his first game since arriving from England.
Promising fullback Chevy Stewart looked a handful, and Albert Hopoate, who will miss the Raiders' Vegas trip to face the Warriors because of the impending birth of his child, clocked up 112m from centre.
-- AAP