The first real harbinger to the start of the NRL season has arrived in the Auckland Nines and the motley crew at TCT are all at hand to bring you live reactions to all the big hits, jaw-dropping plays and breath-taking action.

The Eels are due to hit the field at 10:50AM where they face the Dragons but we will be live from Game 1 where the Titans and the Sharks throw down.

 

Game 1 – Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks

First Half

 

Forty20 – Obviously plenty of eyes will be glued on the form of Jarryd Hayne here. Personally, I am keen to see how Kane Elgey returns to form after a long layoff to due to an ACL.

Sloppy start from the Titans. Lots of passes going no where in particular before Elgey straightens them up. There is a tackle count reset somewhere in there and the Titans somehow score when Elgey chases through a grubber kick. Everyone completely whiffs on the first shot at gounding the ball and Elgey rolls over to slap a hand on the ball and score a bizarre bonus point try.

 

Try scored by Elgey. Conversion successful. 

Titans lead 7-0

 

Forty20 – Titans straight back on the attack after successfully executing a short kickoff and the Sharks, who are yet to possess the ball, are dancing on the precipice already as Gold Coast prop Petereu crashes over on the last tackle. A bit too easy, even considering the format.

 

Try scored by Peteru. Conversion successful.

Titans lead 13-0

 

Forty20 – Ouch. The Sharks feeling the pinch, look to force a pass too many as Jack Bird’s pass is scooped off the ground by the Titans. Nothing too impressive by the Titans in attack but the Sharks lets the last tackle bomb bounce and Jarryd Hayne leaps over the defender

 

Oh man, more technical issues. Sorry folks. I am using a mobile hot spot so sporadically there are drop outs.

 

The Titans end up running out victors 17-11 with the Dogs scoring a late consolation try.

 

Full Time

Gold Coast Titans 17 DEF Canterbury Bulldogs 11

 

Game 11 – St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles

First Half

 

Forty20 – The Dragons don’t waste any time this game, much like in their effort against the Eels, as Matt Dufty slices through to score a bonus point try. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am!

 

Try scored by Dufty. Conversion successful.

Dragons lead 7-0

 

Forty20 – The youth brigade roll on for the Dragons as Jai Field burns the Sea Eagles down their left edge. Electric pace on show as he scores.

 

Try scores by Field. Conversion unsuccessful.

Dragons lead 11-0

 

Forty20 –  Manly hit back with probably the softest try of the day as Joey Lussick dives over from dummy half. Not much more to say there.

 

Try scored by Lussick. Conversion unsuccessful.

Manly trail 4-11

 

Forty20 – Manly right back in the thick of things now as Sironen crashes over. Neither team has worked hard for either of their two tries.

 

Try scored by Sironen. Conversion successful.

Manly trail 10-11

 

Forty20 – Manly strike a devastating blow with second on the clock as Winterstein crashes over for a 5-pointer following a penalty in the ruck.

 

Try scored by Winterstein. Conversion successful.

Manly lead 17-11

 

Second Half

 

Forty20 – TRY OF THE TOURNAMENT! The Dragons are pinned on their 10m line on their last tackle and they just wing it to Jai Field who channels Bevan French as he just glides down the sideline and steps past the fullback to go the length of the field and score a bonus point try.

 

Try scored by Field. Conversion unsuccessful (from in front!)

Dragons trail 16-17

 

Forty20 – Double damage to the Dragons. Dufty goes down with a knee injury and then Shuchster (sp) powers his way over to the left of the posts.

 

Try scored by Schuchster. Conversion successful.

Manly lead 23-16