Sea Eagles finish atop Rabbits in end-to-end season opener
The smaller field dimensions did little to curtail the attack of the Sea Eagles who ran out 36-24 winners over the Rabbitohs in the opening clash of 2024 in Las Vegas.
Richie Kennar crossed for the Rabbits six minutes in before Haumole Olakau’atu answered for Manly on the other side of the first quarter.
Debutant Jacob Gagai put South Sydney back ahead a half-hour in before a Jason Saab intercept on the stroke of halftime earnt Manly a two-point edge heading into the sheds.
Latrell Mitchell and Alex Johnston crossed back-to-back as the tide looked to have turned firmly the way of the Bunnies only for the Sea Eagles to race home courtesy of tries to Lachlan Croker, Ben Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick and club debutant Luke Brooks.
Tom Trbojevic assisted on a try and ran for 218 metres with four tackle breaks whilst Olakau’atu scored a try, ran for 179 metres with six tackle breaks, and made 32 tackles.
For Souths, Mitchell scored a try, assisted on two others, and ran for 117 metres with seven tackle breaks.
Roosters too strong for Broncos in second leg of double-header
The Roosters came out on top of the Broncos 20-10 in a fiery affair at Allegiant Stadium to start their 2024 campaign off on the right foot.
A Joseph Manu intercept gave the Tricolours an early lead which they took into the sheds despite a late Deine Mariner four-pointer.
Junior Pauga scored 51 minutes in to give the Chooks some breathing room before Reece Walsh raced away to keep Brisbane in it.
A late Victor Radley try sealed a memorable win for the Roosters who will be pleased with the result having dropped their past two Round 1 outings.
James Tedesco was electric at the back for the Tricolours assisting on a try and running for 213 metres with eight tackle breaks whilst Manu scored a try, assisted on another, and ran for 165 metres with eight tackle breaks.
Walsh scored a try, assisted on another, and ran for 183 metres whilst Patrick Carrigan ran for 164 metres and made 23 tackles.
