Post by Jim on Apr 28, 2020 9:55:44 GMT
1 - Hull KR (2-0-0)
For the second week in a row, Hull recovered from a slow start to record an impressive win. The Redskins are a well balanced outfit and if things aren't going well, are shown they are well capable of making adjustments. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kalyn Ponga bamboozled the Dockers during the second half and the early signs suggest the Redskins will be serious contenders this year with Darwin up next.
2 - Auckland Orcas (2-0-0) ***MOVING UP***
Auckland's experience proved telling in a battling win at Perth and the scoreline would have been a little more comfortable had the normally reliable Adam Reynolds not had an off day with the boot. Despite his wayward kicking, Reynolds was at the heart of everything good for the Orcas along with the again impressive Conner Watson, who looks an astute close season recruit.
3 - Gold Coast Crusade (1-1-0) ***MOVING DOWN***
Gold Coast survived a fightback from the Cowboys to hold on for a 16-14 win at Darwin and, after squandering a big lead in round one, that is a trend the Crusade coaching staff will want to put an end to. Euan Aitken was the pick for a Gold Coast side who never looked totally comfortable but the defending champions dug deep to take the points.
4 - Adelaide Attitude (1-1-0)
Adelaide were deserved winners over the Oilers but a slack second 40 minutes took some of the shine off what was a very good first half. Manu Ma'u was in destructive mood with the Tongan Terminator giving the Sydney defence a torrid time.
5 - Melbourne Monsters (2-0-0) ***MOVING UP***
Despite a tepid first 40 minutes, Melbourne made it two from two with a comeback 26-16 win at home to Scandanavia. Making his first appearance of the year, Jared Waera-Hargreaves led from the front with a typically combative contribution for the Monsters. This certainly wasn't a vintage performance but with another two points on the board, there won't be too many complaining in the Garden City.
6 - Merseyside Dockers (1-1-0) ***MOVING DOWN***
Merseyside had more possession, made fewer errors and were handed twice as many penalties but still failed to down the robust Redskins. The Dockers looked in the mood early on and moved into a promising lead, but Hull stepped things up several gears after the break to take the points. Josh Morris again impressed for Merseyside who will hope this does not turn into another campaign of frustrating inconsistency. A difficult trip to Auckland awaits in round three.
7 - Scandanvia Berserkers (0-1-1)
The Berserkers will be frustrated having thrown away a winning position at Melbourne but there were positives to take from the loss. Scandanavia are something of a work in progress with a new coach getting to know the tools at his disposal so there's no need to panic at this stage.
8 - Darwin Dragons (0-1-1)
Darwin almost reeled in Gold Coast and may feel this was an opportunity missed to upset last season's premiers. The Cowboys had plenty of the ball but don't yet seem to have found their groove in attack and the wait for a first win of the season goes on. There won't be too many bookies taking bets on Darwin upsetting unbeaten Hull in round three.
9 - Perth Panthers (0-2-0)
Another home loss for the Panthers but performance-wise this defeat was a big improvement on round one. Perth held a narrow lead over Auckland at the break and might have nicked the points with a little more nous in attack. The Panthers face another winless side in the shape of the Oilers next.
10 - Sydney Oilers (0-2-0)
Sydney picked up where they left off in round one with an abject opening 40 minutes at Adelaide, trailing 26-0 before showing some of the spirit that will be needed to turn the tide in the second half, scoring 16 unanswered points. The Oilers coughed up possession far too easily and will need to tighten up quickly, however the coaching staff will take a semblance of encouragement from the way they finished this game. The round three clash with Perth looks a must-win even at this early stage.
For the second week in a row, Hull recovered from a slow start to record an impressive win. The Redskins are a well balanced outfit and if things aren't going well, are shown they are well capable of making adjustments. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kalyn Ponga bamboozled the Dockers during the second half and the early signs suggest the Redskins will be serious contenders this year with Darwin up next.
2 - Auckland Orcas (2-0-0) ***MOVING UP***
Auckland's experience proved telling in a battling win at Perth and the scoreline would have been a little more comfortable had the normally reliable Adam Reynolds not had an off day with the boot. Despite his wayward kicking, Reynolds was at the heart of everything good for the Orcas along with the again impressive Conner Watson, who looks an astute close season recruit.
3 - Gold Coast Crusade (1-1-0) ***MOVING DOWN***
Gold Coast survived a fightback from the Cowboys to hold on for a 16-14 win at Darwin and, after squandering a big lead in round one, that is a trend the Crusade coaching staff will want to put an end to. Euan Aitken was the pick for a Gold Coast side who never looked totally comfortable but the defending champions dug deep to take the points.
4 - Adelaide Attitude (1-1-0)
Adelaide were deserved winners over the Oilers but a slack second 40 minutes took some of the shine off what was a very good first half. Manu Ma'u was in destructive mood with the Tongan Terminator giving the Sydney defence a torrid time.
5 - Melbourne Monsters (2-0-0) ***MOVING UP***
Despite a tepid first 40 minutes, Melbourne made it two from two with a comeback 26-16 win at home to Scandanavia. Making his first appearance of the year, Jared Waera-Hargreaves led from the front with a typically combative contribution for the Monsters. This certainly wasn't a vintage performance but with another two points on the board, there won't be too many complaining in the Garden City.
6 - Merseyside Dockers (1-1-0) ***MOVING DOWN***
Merseyside had more possession, made fewer errors and were handed twice as many penalties but still failed to down the robust Redskins. The Dockers looked in the mood early on and moved into a promising lead, but Hull stepped things up several gears after the break to take the points. Josh Morris again impressed for Merseyside who will hope this does not turn into another campaign of frustrating inconsistency. A difficult trip to Auckland awaits in round three.
7 - Scandanvia Berserkers (0-1-1)
The Berserkers will be frustrated having thrown away a winning position at Melbourne but there were positives to take from the loss. Scandanavia are something of a work in progress with a new coach getting to know the tools at his disposal so there's no need to panic at this stage.
8 - Darwin Dragons (0-1-1)
Darwin almost reeled in Gold Coast and may feel this was an opportunity missed to upset last season's premiers. The Cowboys had plenty of the ball but don't yet seem to have found their groove in attack and the wait for a first win of the season goes on. There won't be too many bookies taking bets on Darwin upsetting unbeaten Hull in round three.
9 - Perth Panthers (0-2-0)
Another home loss for the Panthers but performance-wise this defeat was a big improvement on round one. Perth held a narrow lead over Auckland at the break and might have nicked the points with a little more nous in attack. The Panthers face another winless side in the shape of the Oilers next.
10 - Sydney Oilers (0-2-0)
Sydney picked up where they left off in round one with an abject opening 40 minutes at Adelaide, trailing 26-0 before showing some of the spirit that will be needed to turn the tide in the second half, scoring 16 unanswered points. The Oilers coughed up possession far too easily and will need to tighten up quickly, however the coaching staff will take a semblance of encouragement from the way they finished this game. The round three clash with Perth looks a must-win even at this early stage.
