It was always going to be a case of by how many points and it may have been just a trial match, but the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles were ruthless tonight.
The Sea Eagles sent a very ominous warning to their NRL rivals with a convincing 58-0 victory at Pittwater Park over last year’s Qld Intrust Premiers, Ipswich Jets.
Co-coached by Ben and Shane Walker, the Jets tried to play their entertaining style but as expected, were just outmuscled and outclassed by the Sea Eagles in every aspect.
The match saw new recruits Martin Taupau, Dylan Walker, Nate Myles and Nathan Green appear for the first time in Sea Eagles colours in an 80 minute match. They were joined by the likes of established stars Brett Stewart, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Daly Cherry-Evans, and Jake Trobjevic to name a few.
Manly Warringah also went into the game missing Matt Parcell, Api Koroisau, Feleti Mateo, Jamie Buhrer, Jayden Hodges and new recruits Lewis Brown and Isaac John through injury.
New Sea Eagles Coach Trent Barrett wanted a nice, polished performance before the game from his men, and they didn’t disappoint, opening the scoring in the second minute with a try to Myles under the posts from a knock-on from the kick-off by the Jets. Captain and centre Jamie Lyon converted for a 6-0 lead.
Two minutes later, Sea Eagles centre Steve Matai crossed over off a Brett Stewart pass. Lyon converted for a 12-0 lead after five minutes.
The Jets then allowed a kick to bounce resulting in a try to Tom Trbojevic. Lyon converted for an 18-0 lead after nine minutes.
Winger Jorge Taufua extended the lead to 22-0 when he used his muscle to dive over in the left corner. Lyon converted from the sideline for a 24-0 lead after 16 minutes.
Prop Jake Trbojevic crashed over next to the posts for a 28-0 lead. Lyon converted for a 30-0 lead after 22 minutes.
Taufua then got his second try two minutes later for a 34-0 lead.
Prop Brenton Lawrence showed his strength when he crashed over next to the posts for a 38-0 lead. Lyon converted for a 40-0 lead at half-time.
Second half
It took until the 56th minute for the Sea Eagles to give the scoreboard attendant more work when Blake Leary scored. Lyon converted for a 46-0 lead.
Walker got his first try for the Sea Eagles when he split a gap to put the foot down to score for a 50-0 lead two minutes later. Lyon converted for a 52-0 scoreline.
Replacement centre Tony Satini finished off the scoring in the dying minutes with a try that was converted by Walker for the 58-0 scoreline.
The Sea Eagles will now prepare for the Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval in round one on Friday, March 4.
