Manly Warringah Sea Eagles showed plenty of positive signs in their first NRL trial match at Gosford today, beating South Sydney Rabbitohs 68-6 at Industree Stadium, Gosford.
The trial, played over 4 x 20 minute quarters, was the first appearance in the Manly jersey for new signings Jaxson Paulo, Tommy Talau, Luke Brooks and Nathan Brown.
With Manly Coach Anthony Seibold resting several big names, it was left to five-eighth Brooks and half-back Jake Arthur to steer the team around in what was a good test of depth and strength for the club against a young and inexperienced South Sydney team, who were also resting several key men.
It will be a far different story when the two teams clash in the historic NRL Double Header at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 2.
South Sydney opened the scoring with a try in the third minute to centre Adam Christensen out wide. Five-eighth Jarrett Subloo converted for a 6-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles then put on two quick consecutive tries through winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega and second-rower Ben Trbojevic for a 12-6 lead.
Tuaimalo Vaega swooped on a grubber kick from Brooks after an initial crossfield kick was taken by Ben Condon. Trbojevic crossed over out wide to give Manly two tries in three minutes. The score remained that way to the end of the first quarter.
Trbojevic grabbed his second try after hitting a hole out wide. Hooker Jamie Humphreys converted from the sideline for an 18-6 lead after 25 minutes.
Trbojevic grabbed his third right on half-time after the Sea Eagles spread the ball left for Talau to dart back inside to find the second-rower in support. Humphreys converted for a 24-6 lead at the break.
Two minutes after half-time, prop Jacob Sykes charged over out wide to score. Humphreys converted for a 30-6 lead.
Humphreys then converted his own try after backing up a break down the right to score next to the posts for a 36-6 lead after 46 minutes.
Arthur then planted the ball down from a Tuaimalo Vaega kick infield. Paulo converted for a 42-6 lead after 53 minutes.
The Sea Eagles were in again when Sykes pounced on a grubber to score his second next to the posts for a 46-6 lead.
Humphreys scored his second try after a break by winger Max Lehmann. Humphreys converted for a 52-6 lead with 16 minutes remaining.
Centre Clayton Faulalo then raced 90 metres to score in the corner for a 56-6 lead three minutes later.
Tuaimalo Vaega finished off a nice shift to the right to score his second. Humphreys converted for a 62-6 lead with six minutes remaining.
A minute later, winger Cameron Brown produced a spectacular leap to score in the corner. Humphreys was on target again for a 68-6 lead with three minutes left.
The Sea Eagles return to Industree Stadium again next Saturday for the opening round of the Pre-Season Challenge against the Sydney Roosters, of which Manly are the defending champions.
Sea Eagles team
1 Bailey Hodgson
2 Jaxson Paulo
3 Tommy Talau
4 Clayton Faulalo
5 Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega
6 Luke Brooks
7 Jake Arthur
8 Taniela Paseka
9 Karl Lawton (c)
17 Ethan Bullemor
11 Ben Trbojevic
20 Ben Condon
13 Nathan Brown
14 Lehi Hopoate
15 Max Lehmann
16 Brandon Wakeham
10 Austin Dias
18 Aitasi James
19 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
12 Kobe Rugless
21 Dean Matterson
22 Aaron Woods (c)
23 Jamie Humphreys
24 Cameron Brown
25 Jacob Sykes
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1 Braidon Burns (c)
2 Leon Te Hau
3 Taane Milne
4 Adam Christensen
5 Leonard Skelton
6 Jarrett Subloo
7 Emmanuel Di Bartolo
8 Brock Gray
9 Ryan Gray
10 Cade Maloney
11 Maila Chanfoon
12 Nicholas Halalilo
13 Yileen Gordon
14 Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
15 Harry Quinlan
16 Chase Chapman
17 Tristan Alvarado
18 Richard Holani
19 Matthew French
20 Tyson Hodge
21 Marco Moretti
