What we learned from the NRL’s round one

WHAT YOUR NRL TEAM TAUGHT US IN ROUND ONE

BRISBANE: The quicker game suits them. Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt were more dynamic as Parramatta’s big men grew tired while Corey Oates showed he will be an added danger in the 17-4 win.

CANBERRA: Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer could be a lethal combination – if they spend enough time on the field together. They both took the line on and scored tries against Penrith in the 30-22 win, but could be sidelined through knee and cheek injuries respectively.

CANTERBURY: The fact James Graham and Aiden Tolman can play more than 60 minutes means the reduction in interchange may not hurt them. Sam Kasiano was still dominant from short stints on the bench.

CRONULLA: They have plenty of fight in them. Never lead North Queensland once, but pushed the defending premiers to the final minute in the 20-14 loss.

GOLD COAST: Ash Taylor can play. He set up two tries in just his second NRL match to guide the Titans to a 30-12 win over Newcastle.

MANLY: It’s going to take some time. Just six players from last year’s round-26 team played, and the lack of cohesion showed in the 11 errors they made en route to the 28-6 loss to the Bulldogs.

NEWCASTLE: There’s hope for the future. Debutants Jacob Saifiti and Pat Mata’utia scored the Knights’ only tries in the 30-12 loss to the Titans, while coach Nathan Brown said he would give all the youngsters time.

NORTH QUEENSLAND: This is an all-round team. Little-known back-rower Ethan Lowe scored the match winner against the Sharks and set up another in the best game of his career so far.

PARRAMATTA: They only conceded 16 points but the ease at which Brisbane broke their line was concerning. Were regularly found wanting on the right wing.

PENRITH: New year but still no luck for Penrith. After releasing Apisai Koroisau they desperately need James Segeyaro, but the hooker injured his arm in the 30-22 loss to Canberra.

SOUTH SYDNEY: Cody Walker could heap pressure on Luke Keary in the coming weeks. He set up a try in the 42-10 win over the Sydney Roosters and will get more chances with Adam Reynolds’ injury.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS: It could be a slow start to the season. They missed representative stars Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Boyd Cordner and Mitchell Pearce and it will be a while until they get them back.

WARRIORS: No matter how many points they score, their defence needs to improve. They were the third worst in the NRL last year and conceding 34 to the Wests Tigers wasn’t a good start.

WESTS TIGERS: Their backs are impressive. James Tedesco scored twice, Tim Simona and Kevin Naiqama made length-of-the-field breaks and Mitchell Moses had a hand in three tries in their 30-12 win over the Warriors.

* Statistics courtesy of Fox Sports Stats

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