WINNERS AND LOSERS OF NRL TRIALS
WINNERS
* Trent Robinson: Expectations are higher than ever at the Sydney Roosters but Robinson’s recruits showed plenty of promise in their 28-26 win over Manly. James Tedesco scored two tries – including a chip-and-chase to give his team the lead – while Cooper Cronk looked comfortable working with hooker Jake Friend.
* Parramatta: The Eels were as slick as any team could in February in their 26-6 win over Newcastle. Bevan French was the standout at fullback with Clinton Gutherson still injured, while Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses picked up where they left off at the end of last season. Jarryd Hayne got through his return to the Eels team unscathed.
* Lachlan Croker: The Manly No.6 jersey is his after the Sea Eagles looked just as good in attack against the Sydney Roosters as they did last year with Blake Green at five-eighth. Croker had plenty of involvement and coach Trent Barrett was happy with his spine as Manly put on five tries.
* Valentine Holmes: Any questions over Cronulla’s No.1 jersey were officially put to bed after the Kangaroos back scored two tries in the Sharks’ 24-12 win over the Wests Tigers. Matt Moylan and Chad Townsend got through their second game together in the halves.
LOSERS
* Penrith: There have to be concerns at the Panthers after their near full-strength team were easily disposed of by a second-string Canterbury side at Belmore. The Bulldogs scored 24 unanswered points after Penrith opened the scoring, to finish 24-10 victors with their big guns watching on.
* Newcastle: The Knights copped a wake-up call in their 20-point defeat to Parramatta. The most-hyped team of the summer, the Knights conceded six consecutive tries to the Eels as star recruits Mitchell Pearce, Connor Watson and Kalyn Ponga had few opportunities in attack, just two weeks after they knocked over Melbourne.