Highs and lows of the NRL’s second round

NRL ROUND TWO HIGHS AND LOWS:

THEY SAID IT: “I’ve witnessed a lot of tough wins under challenging moments and adversity, but I haven’t seen one tougher than that.” Coach Ricky Stuart on the Raiders’ gusty 21-20 win over the Roosters.

MAN OF THE ROUND: Iosia Soliola. The Canberra interchange forward made a game-high 45 tackles, 16 hitups for 125m, one offload and one linebreak in a Herculean effort for an out-manned Raiders outfit in their thrilling victory.

STAT THAT MATTERS: After blowing away Sydney Roosters 42-10 and Newcastle 48-6, South Sydney have racked up a cumulative 90 points in the opening fortnight, the most the club has scored in their first two rounds in their 109-year history.

MAGIC MOMENT: Kerrod Holland’s post-siren conversion to give the Bulldogs an 18-16 win over Penrith on his NRL debut.

TALKING POINT: How bad are the Knights? Newcastle legend Andrew Johns fears it will be years before they are regularly competitive again in the NRL.

JUDICIARY WATCH: Bulldogs – David Klemmer (contrary conduct); Broncos – James Roberts (contrary conduct) Roosters – Dylan Napa (high tackle; Raiders – BJ Leilua (dangerous throw); Eels – Manu Ma’u; (dangerous contact); Cowboys – Matt Scott (dangerous contact)

CASUALTY WARD: Bulldogs – Josh Reynolds (back); Broncos – Corey Oates (shoulder); Warriors – Manu Vatuvei (ribs); Raiders – Lachlan Croker (shoulder) Eels – Nathan Peats (arm); Knights – Akuila Uate (shoulder); Dragons – Josh Dugan (hamstring); Storm – Billy Slater (shoulder)

UNDER PRESSURE: Trent Robinson. The Roosters have started 2016 undermanned and in underwhelming fashion and the 2013 premiership-winning coach now faces his toughest test to get them back on track, starting with the Cowboys in Townsville on Thursday night.

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