Check out what happened in round 11 (and women’s Origin Game 2) of the National Rugby League competition.
Review
Embed from Getty ImagesCanterbury-Bankstown (20 points, +110) remains on top of the ladder after round 11: they pulled off another comeback win, this time against the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium.
The NZ Warriors are second (18, +5), followed by Canberra (16, +64) and Melbourne (14, +135). Cronulla-Sutherland (14, +70), Manly Warringah (12, +38), South Sydney (12, -52), and North Queensland (11, -32) round out the top eight. The Warriors and Raiders wins sets up a blockbuster clash between them at Go Media Stadium next Sunday.
Trailing 14-0 at half-time, Canterbury showed last weekend’s comeback against Canberra wasn’t a fluke, scoring four second half tries. Matt Burton finished with 12 points (a try and four goals). The Roosters’ Mark Nawaqanitawase (who scored two tries) scored the try of the night – if not the season: the Bulldogs led 18-14 when the Roosters got the ball off an error. Three tackles later, Nawaqanitawase was hemmed on the right touchline and showed off his Rugby Sevens skills by hopping on his left foot, kicking on his right, and chasing the ball into the in-goal to score. The Roosters’ lead didn’t last long: Burton sealed the win with his try five minutes later.
The NZ Warriors won their fifth straight game, beating The Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium. Leading 16-0 (tries to Marata Niukore, Kurt Capewell, and Jacob Laban), the Warriors weathered a late Dolphins fightback: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth getting the home side within four points with two minutes left (with James Fisher-Harris sin binned in the 76th minute). The Dolphins had a chance to steal the game in the final minute when Jack Bostock toed ahead a Kodi Nikorima kick, but he kicked it out of play.
Canberra built on an 18-12 half-time lead against the Gold Coast at GIO Stadium, with a hat-trick to Xavier Savage and two tries to Matthew Timoko. Jojo Fifita scored a double for the Titans. It’s Canberra’s second win over the Gold Coast this season and their fourth win at home (not including their Las Vegas home game). The Titans fell to last place (below Parramatta) on points differential.
Cronulla-Sutherland won a fiery clash against Melbourne at Sharks Stadium. Cronulla led 25-12 at half-time and weathered a Melbourne fightback, with a Xavier Coates hat-trick for the Storm. Daniel Atkinson’s second try gave Cronulla a 31-22 lead with 27 minutes left, which was enough. There was late drama when Melbourne got a penalty on full-time and one more play to score a try: Cameron Munster kicked high for Coates, but Ronaldo Mulitalo caught the footy and sealed Cronulla’s win.
Jason Saab scored two tries as Manly Warringah beat North Queensland at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. It was 6-6 at half-time, but Saab’s second try three minutes into the second half gave the Sea Eagles the lead. With 11 minutes left, Lehi Hopoate and Ben Trbojevic put the game away. It was Manly’s second win over North Queensland this season.
South Sydney closed the round with a win over the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown. The Rabbitohs led 12-0 after 26 minutes, but a double to Apisai Koroisau kept the Tigers in the fight, trailing 16-12 with 11 minutes left. Lachlan Galvin looked to have put the Tigers infront a few minutes later, but lost the ball over the line. Jai Arrow put the game away with two minutes left.
Tyrell Sloan and Clinton Gutherson scored two tries each as St George Illawarra beat Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. Once again, Brisbane got out to an early lead – 12-0 after 27 minutes – and led 12-4 at half-time, with Ezra Mam scoring on his NRL return. But the Dragons won the second half 26-14 through Gutherson’s double and Sloan’s second try. Payne Haas tried to get Brisbane the win in the last 80 seconds with a charge to the line (and he earned a penalty), but the Dragons held on.
Zac Lomax scored 16 points (two tries and four goals) in Parramatta’s big win over Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium. Lomax’s return from injury was immediate: his first try gave Parramatta a 10-0 half-time lead and his second pushed it to 16-0 after 56 minutes. It was Newcastle’s seventh loss from eight games.
Women’s Origin Game 2
NSW won the 2025 women’s Origin series, beating Queensland in Game 2 at Allianz Stadium. It’s the Blues’ first win in a multi-game series. While the rain affected the Allianz Stadium surface, the Blues scored five tries in a row (a double to Olivia Kernick) after Tamika Upton opened the scoring for Queensland in the fifth minute. In a nice bit of symmetry for the Blues, it’s 40 years since NSW won their first men’s Origin series in 1985. Game 3 is at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday, May 29.
Embed from Getty ImagesResults
Newcastle Knights 6, Parramatta Eels 28 (McDonald Jones Stadium, 16/5/2025, 18:00)
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 11. Dylan Lucas 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 19. Tyson Gamble 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 16. Thomas Cant 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 17. Brodie Jones 18. Jack Hetherington 22. Paul Bryan
Players cut from final squad: 4. Bradman Best 7. Jack Cogger 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Kyle McCarthy
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 12. Kitione Kautoga 15. Luca Moretti 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 16. Jordan Samrani 17. Toni Mataele 19. Ryan Matterson 18. Joash Papali’i
Players cut from final squad: 11. Matt Doorey 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Jake Tago 22. Brendan Hands
Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Kasey Badger
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24, Sydney Roosters 20 (Accor Stadium, 16/5/2025, 20:00)
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Harry Hayes 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Luke Smith 23. Blake Taaffe
Players cut from final squad: 19. Jack Underhill 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Drew Hutchison
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Egan Butcher 16. Blake Steep 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Ethan King
Players cut from final squad: 19. Salesi Foketi 20. Dominic Young 21. Chad Townsend 22. Benaiah Ioelu
Referee: Ashley Klein
Bunker: Chris Butler
Dolphins 12, New Zealand Warriors 16 (Suncorp Stadium, 17/5/2025, 15:00)
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Ray Stone 14. Harrison Graham 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Sean O’Sullivan
Players cut from final squad: 19. Oryn Keeley 20. Max Feagai 21. Kenny Bromwich 22. Junior Tupou
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Eddie Ieremia
Players cut from final squad: 5. Taine Tuaupiki 17. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 23. Moala Graham-Taufa
Referee: Peter Gough
Bunker: Kasey Badger
North Queensland Cowboys 6, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24 (QLD Country Bank Stadium, 17/5/2025, 17:30)
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kai O’Donnell 18. Jake Clifford
Players cut from final squad: 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Semi Valemei 21. Karl Lawton 22. Kaiden Lahrs
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Caleb Navale 17. Nathan Brown 18. Michael Chee Kam
Players cut from final squad: 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Joey Walsh 22. Matthew Lodge
Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Ashley Klein
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 31, Melbourne Storm 26 (Sharks Stadium, 17/5/2025, 19:35)
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Hohepa Puru
Players cut from final squad: 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Teig Wilton 22. Chris Veaila
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 21. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan
Players cut from final squad: 9. Bronson Garlick 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley
Referee: Adam Gee
Bunker: Chris Butler
Brisbane Broncos 26, St George-Illawarra Dragons 30 (Suncorp Stadium, 18/5/2025, 14:00)
Broncos: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Tyson Smoothy
Players cut from final squad: 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Delouise Hoeter 19. Josiah Karapani
Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lyhkan King-Togia 10. David Klemmer 9. Damien Cook 17. Blake Lawrie 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 8. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Nathan Lawson
Players cut from final squad: 19. Hame Sele 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 22. Michael Molo
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Ashley Klein
Canberra Raiders 40, Gold Coast Titans 24 (GIO Stadium, 18/5/2025, 16:05)
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 19. Noah Martin
Players cut from final squad: 18. Jed Stuart 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi
Titans: 6. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 4. Jojo Fifita 18. Tony Francis 5. Phillip Sami 14. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 12. Beau Fermor 16. Chris Randall 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 1. Jaylan De Groot 11. Klese Haas 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Josiah Pahulu 19. Arama Hau
Players cut from final squad: 3. Brian Kelly 21. Harley Smith-Shields 22. Sean Mullany 20. Josh Patston
Wests Tigers 12, South Sydney Rabbitohs 22 (Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 18/5/2025, 18:15)
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Royce Hunt 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Brent Naden 15. Tony Sukkar 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 22. Tristan Hope
Players cut from final squad: 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Solomona Faataape 21. Reuben Porter 18. Heath Mason
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jye Gray 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Tevita Tatola 15. Sean Keppie
Players cut from final squad: 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Joshua Schuster 22. Jacob Host 21. Fletcher Myers
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Bunker: Chris Butler
BYE: Penrith Panthers
Match Review
Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $3000 fine.
Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand Warriors), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 1 match.
Reuben Garrick (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
