Match Report: NRL Round 1 vs Cowboys

It took just three minutes for Haumole Olakau’atu to score the first of his team’s seven tries in a round-one demolition of the North Queensland Cowboys at 4 Pines Park.

The human wrecking ball was on the end of a double block play in the fourth minute after back-to-back penalties earned the home side good field position.

The Sea Eagles had their sellout crowd on their feet again moments later, again scoring in the northeastern corner.

This time it was winger Jason Saab who found clear air in front of him after a perfect set play to the right, and an absolute peach of a pass from Tom Trbojevic.

Sea Eagles fans barely had time to regain their seats before they were up and about again. 

Lehi Hopoate was the next player leaping for glory.  The left winger towered above the Cowboys defence to collect a bomb, offloading mid-air for Ben Trbojevic to score.

Reuben Garrick landed his second successful conversion to have his team up 16-0 after 11 minutes.

The home side was awarded a penalty right in front when Daly Cherry-Evans was held off the ball to be front 18-nil

The very next set Tom Trbojevic found himself in the backfield after breaking the line from 55 metres out, delivering a pass to Ethan Bullemor who was following his fullback through the middle.

His try was converted from in front to have Manly up 24 nil after 27 minutes, in a first half that saw the Cowboys presented with very few opportunities.

A sweet passage of play opened the second half when Hopoate finished a 70- metre play in front of the packed hill. 

It took 10 minutes for the scoreboard to continue ticking over when Toff Sipley scored after a break down the right edge from a Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab one-two combination.

And then, a few minutes later came something quite exquisite.  Turbo followed up an Olakau’atu short side power play with aanothr piece of magic. 

With just a couple of metres to work with in front of the Jane Try Stand, Turbo put Saab down the sideline before Garrick collected the grubber to score Manly’s sixth try of the night.

A few minutes later it was again, the crowd soaking up every bit of it.

Taniela Paseka continued to dent the Cowboys middle, popping a basketball style pass out the back for Cherry-Evans who darted over from close range.

The Sea Eagles were up 42-0 with 25 minutes remaining.

It wasn’t just the scoring of points but the will to stop points that had the crowd buzzing again.

Turbo somehow spoiled a two on one that looked a certain try after waiting for his wingman Lehi Hopoate to arrive. 

It was shrewd and sheer determination.

Olakau’atu was rewarded with an early shower with about 12 minutes remaining before the Cowboys scored a couple of late consolations.

All in all, a wonderful night in the first of 12 home games the 4 Pines Park fortress.

The Sea Eagles will travel to New Zealand to take on the Warriors on Friday night in Round 2 of the NRL.