The 2024 NRL season is rapidly approaching, and with the Panthers eyeing an incredible fourth-straight premiership, every other team is fine-tuning their lineups in order to mount a serious challenge.
Return to this page for the latest scores, match reports and any injury news to come out of the second week of the Pre-Season Challenge.
Friday, February 23
Rabbitohs 10 - 46 Roosters
Sharks 12 - 8 Bulldogs
Burton on report as Dogs lose to Sharks in NRL trial
Matt Burton faces a nervous wait for the NRL's charge sheet after being placed on report for a high tackle in Canterbury's 12-6 pre-season loss to Cronulla at Belmore.
Burton was penalised for making contact with Sharks halfback Daniel Atkinson's head early in the second half, forcing the playmaker off the field for a HIA.
Atkinson was falling in the tackle, and Burton will be able to escape with a fine if he is to receive a grade-one charge.
But anything beyond that would leave the star Canterbury halfback facing a ban for the Bulldogs' opening-round clash with Parramatta on March 9.
In a match that looked every bit like a pre-season trial, the scores were locked at 6-6 for the majority of the second half before Chris Vea'ila put Cronulla ahead with eight minutes left.
That came off the back of one of 13 errors for the Bulldogs, while a Sharks side missing Nicho Hynes (quadriceps) also made 14 as both completed at less than 70 per cent.
Teig Wilton scored first for the Sharks when Blayke Brailey put him over, before Jacob Preston hit back in the 32nd minute after running onto a Josh Curran pass.
There were positive signs for a Bulldogs side desperate to rebuild itself, with new captain Stephen Crichton turning in 20 minutes in his first game in blue and white.
The left edge of Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau, Crichton and Josh Addo-Carr posed some threat with ball in hand.
Bronson Xerri then moved to that side once Crichton left the field, with the 23-year-old hopeful of a round-one chance after his four-year drug ban.
Questions still remain over the make up of the Bulldogs backline.
Blake Taaffe dropped two kicks in quick succession in the second half at fullback, as he fights to claim the No.1 jersey.
One option for coach Cameron Ciraldo would be to move Crichton to No.1, and fit he, Xerri, Addo-Carr, Jacob Kiraz and Connor Tracey into one backline.
Burton and Drew Hutchison look likely to start in the halves, while Curran also impressed in his first outing for the Bulldogs.
For Cronulla, winger Sione Katoa was able to stay on the field into the second half after appearing to injure his left foot early in the match.
Royce Hunt was strong up front with 172 metres, with their team largely settled headed into round one against the Warriors and Hynes expected to return.
Saturday, February 24
Storm 28 - 10 Knights
Storm too strong for Knights
Melbourne have thrashed a lethargic-looking Newcastle outfit in Fiji in a quality warm-up for the looming NRL season.
Two weeks out from their opening-round encounter with reigning champions Penrith, the bulk of the Storm's stars had their first run of the season on Saturday and had no trouble getting the job done against the Knights.
Halfback Jahrome Hughes looked in mid-season form with a controlling display and two try assists in the 28-10 win.
Ryan Papenhuyzen continued his return to the NRL side with two stints at fullback, but he was well handled by the Knights.
But his fellow spine member and new club captain Harry Grant looked at his crafty best, stamping his performance with a try off a dummy-half scoot. It wasn't the performance Newcastle fans were hoping for as their side looked to ramp things up ahead of the new campaign.
They missed a stack of tackles and looked lazy at times in defence, never more so than when Storm five-eighth Jonah Pezet danced through their line to score untouched in the first half. Newcastle's attack also failed to fire, with a number of passes in key moments going to ground.
A flashy run from star No.1 Kalyn Ponga that allowed centre Bradman Best to score in the shadows of half-time was clearly their best moment of the game.
The Knights parked their stars on the pine early in the second half, with bench forwards Kai Pearce-Paul (42m) and Jack Hetherington (62m) among those fighting to break into the starting line-up.
Utility Jack Cogger appears to have lost the race for a starting halves role to Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings, coming off the bench to spell Phoenix Crossland at hooker.
Storm talent Kane Bradley (40m) didn't set the world on fire after being named to start in the back row, although his presumed understudy Shawn Blore (29m) didn't do much to wrestle the spot from him.
Storm prop Tui Kamikamica looked inspired playing in front of his home crowd, churning out 88m in the first half alone to comfortably lead his side.
Warriors 34 - 22 Dolphins
Gilbert knee concern as Dolphins sunk by Warriors
Tom Gilbert may have been dealt a heartbreaking blow on the eve of the NRL season, after he was carried from the field with a knee injury in the Dolphins' 34-22 trial game loss against the Warriors.
The 23-year-old went down without contact while trying to make a tackle on Warriors centre Rocco Berry at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.
Gilbert's knee twisted and he could be seen screaming in pain as he fell to the ground, before being helped off the field by two medical team members.
A lengthy spell out would be a cruel blow for the Dolphins, but even more so for Gilbert - who missed more than half of the 2023 season after a shoulder injury sustained in State of Origin required surgery.
He didn't start Saturday's contest for the Dolphins and had made only one run before his injury.
Gilbert's misfortune overshadowed an impressive statement from the Warriors, whose hulking forward pack looked to pick up where it left off last season with a dominant display.
Captain Tohu Harris (87 metres), star prop Addin Fonua-Blake (153m) and enforcer Mitch Barnett (120m, one try) were among the standouts in their first outing of the year.
Beaten in last season's preliminary final, the Warriors showed signs they could be even better in the new campaign, with off-season addition Kurt Capewell creating a try and fitting in seamlessly.
Fellow new arrival Roger Tuivasa-Sheck continued a strong return to the 13-player code after two seasons in rugby union, churning out 159m, six tackle busts and a try assist.
He started at left centre despite the absence of No.1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad through a hamstring injury, with Taine Tuaupiki (102m) looking dangerous at fullback.
Tuaupiki's flashy footwork and strong back-up play troubled the Dolphins, with the 24-year-old expected to start the NRL season at No.1 with Nicoll-Klokstad out until at least round four.
Tuivasa-Sheck did have a run at fullback in the second half, offloading for centre Ali Leiataua to score two minutes from time.
The Dolphins found themselves in an 18-0 hole inside 28 minutes as the Warriors turned their stubborn defensive work into points at the other end.
Kodi Nikorima, who started at five-eighth for the Dolphins in place of first-team regular Isaiya Katoa, handed the Warriors their third try with a wayward pass that winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak paid back with interest.
But the visitors found some classy attacking moments in the second half.
Winger Jack Bostock flew high to ground a bomb, centre Tesi Niu showed strength to create a try for Herbie Farnworth and cult hero Valynce Te Whare crossed as the scores tightened late.
Sea Eagles 14 - 40 Broncos
Brisbane have won the NRL pre-season challenge and given coach Kevin Walters a window into the promising depth at the club in 2024.
The Broncos won 46-20 against North Queensland with a full strength side in the first week of trials, before a second tier outfit beat Manly 40-14 on Saturday, while the top squad was in camp in Los Angeles before the round one NRL match with Sydney Roosters in Las Vegas.
The Broncos finished the pre-season tournament on 28 points, equal with the Sydney Roosters, but won the $100,000 first prize due to a better for-and-against record.
Brisbane centre Delouise Hoeter, who co-captained the side on Saturday, said to start the season so well was "a good feeling".
"We wanted to build on last week and I feel like we did that with a less experienced side," Hoeter said.
"We still have a long way to go from our best but everyone that played should be proud of their achievement.
"It shows great depth from our young players all the way through to players who are just on the fringe.
"Paixy (Cory Paix) and I loved leading the team on Saturday and for a team that was pulled together in a week, they were great."
Giant 205cm prop Ben Te Kura, 19, had a strong game against Manly, running for 104m.
Brisbane great Corey Parker said Te Kura would only get better.
"I am not one to put extra pressure on the kid but he is in a great system and hanging around some great players like Pat Haas and Pat Carrigan," Parker told AAP.
"He obviously has a big future. Te Kura will be a first-grader at some point but how regular that is will be up to him and Kevin Walters."
Highly rated hooker Blake Mozer also had an impressive match against a Manly side that also fielded a fringe roster, since their top side are in Las Vegas.
"Full credit to the Broncos They were able to get away with the $100,000 and it is good experience for those kids to be able to play on TV," Parker said.
"The signs we have seen in their first two games were positive. It shows great depth."
Parker said there were other positive signs in the opening pre-season win against the Cowboys, in which second-rower Brendan Piakura scored two tries and showed he would be an accomplished replacement for veteran Kurt Capewell, who joined the Warriors in the off-season.
Dragons 34 - 12 Tigers
Sloan set for No.1 as Dragons humble Tigers in trial
Tyrell Sloan appears to have locked in St George Illawarra's No.1 jersey, after the Dragons handed Wests Tigers a pre-season reality check with a 34-12 defeat in Mudgee.
Sloan starred with the ball for the Dragons on Saturday night as they ran riot late in the first half, with a suspected hamstring injury to Justin Olam adding to the Tigers woes.
Tigers five-eighth Jayden Sullivan also faces a nervy wait on the charge sheet, after being placed on report for late contact on a kicking Kyle Flanagan.
After beating an undermanned Warriors last week, the Tigers were poor in defence and couldn't make use of plenty of good ball against the Dragons.
That in itself will shine questions on whether Aidan Sezer and Sullivan remain the first-choice halves, with youngster Lachlan Galvin showing potential.
New coach Benji Marshall now has three weeks to think over the issues, with the back-to-back year's wooden-spooners on the bye in round one before facing Canberra on March 16.
After only finishing one spot above the Tigers last year, the Dragons look a more settled and fitter side under Shane Flanagan.
They were also able to hold out several sets on their own line with a physical defence, and showed an ability to score points against a poor Tigers outfit.
Sloan spent the entire match at the back, with Flanagan resisting the urge to rotate he and Zac Lomax between fullback and wing.
There remain questions over Sloan's defence, after he was stepped once by Jahream Bula for the Tigers' first try, and beaten by Heath Mason for another late.
But the 21-year-old remains a weapon in attack.
He made a 60-metre bust on a kick return in the lead up to the Dragons' first try through Ben Hunt, and provided nice lead-up play before Hunt crossed again later to make it 24-0.
The fullback then scored himself in the second half, hitting a hole close to the line off the back of Hunt and Raymond Faitala-Mariner.
Jaydn Su'A looked dangerous in the second row, running across field to target defenders and making a bust down field before a Lomax try.
Moses Suli was also strong at left centre, forcing his way over for a first-half try and moments later putting on a powerful run before Mikaele Ravalawa went over.
The only concern for the Dragons was a hamstring issue for Jacob Liddle, while Blake Lawrie finished early with rib soreness that is not expected to be serious.
Earlier, Brisbane went to the top of the NRL's pre-season challenge ladder by beating Manly 40-14.
Both sides were without their first-choice NRL players, who are already in Las Vegas ahead of next weekend's season opener.
Sunday, February 25
Wigan 16 - 12 Penrith
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has conceded the gap is closing between the NRL and Super League after Wigan denied his team a maiden World Club Challenge title.
A controversial second-half try for Warriors centre Jake Wardle, accompanied by a gritty defensive display, sealed the hosts a record-equalling fifth title in a 16-12 win at their sold-out DW Stadium, while again stopping the Panthers from completing their trophy cabinet.
The Super League champions join the Sydney Roosters in winning five world titles.
It was the second straight year Penrith have failed to add the world title to their NRL premiership, having lost a 13-12 heartbreaker to St Helens at home in 2023.
After back-to-back Super League success for the first time in 16 years, Cleary acknowledged the challenge provided by the English competition.
"That's the thing about this particular competition, we get to see the best teams together, and Wigan were too good tonight," he told broadcaster Sky Sports.
"We didn't execute as well as they did. They had three opportunities and scored three tries and that was the difference. They executed better than us and maybe that was enough."
Titans 16 - 26 Eels
Cartwright stars against old club as Eels beat Titans
Bryce Cartwright starred against his former club as the electric Parramatta Eels made a pre-season statement with a razzle dazzle 26-16 pre-season trial win over Gold Coast.
Parramatta missed the finals in 2023 after reaching the grand final the year before, but there was a lot to like about their showing at North Ipswich Reserve on Sunday in front of 5306 fans.
The Titans were poor in many facets in the opening half and coach Des Hasler won't want a repeat of their failure to wrap up the ball in tackles, nor their lack of kick-chase pressure, when the NRL season kicks off.
Eels key players Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses fired.
NSW props Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard were enormous through the middle of the park, with both being mobile and creative.
Paulo put Campbell-Gillard over under the posts with a barnstorming charge and a silky pass.
Coach Brad Arthur will have been delighted with what he saw from the pair as the Eels aim to start the season with momentum.
In 2023 they lost five of their first seven NRL games.
Moses set up second-rower Cartwright for a try with a crafty grubber kick.
Cartwright was on fire against his old club with his offloading game on song, and his defensive game superb.
"Getting everyone through fit and healthy is the big positive out of it, and having our full team on the park after a big pre-season," Cartwright said. "There were some really good signs there in tough conditions. Brad wanted us to be physical and I thought we were physical throughout."
Eels centre Will Penisini crashed over early before Ipswich-raised Titans winger Phil Sami scored in the corner after a classic cut-out pass from half Tanah Boyd.
Sami repeatedly had the local crowd on their feet.
The Eels dominated from that moment to lead 20-4 at half-time.
AJ Brimson, in his new position of centre, raced the length of the field to score for the Titans against the run of play after the break.
The Eels hit back with a superb try to lock J'maine Hopgood after great lead-up from Clint Gutherson and Moses.
Gold Coast back-rower Beau Fermor, in his first game back from an ACL tear that rubbed him out of 2023, threw a sublime pass to send Alofiana Khan-Pereira over in the corner.
"It was good to be back," Fermor said. "I was pretty nervous and a bit shaky in the first 20 minutes but after the drinks break I settled myself down and thought I was pretty good after that. We let Parra out of their end a bit too much. They are a really good side and made us pay."