NRL round-up: Widdop in form, Jennings scores four, Hodgson shines for Canberra

Drew Darbyshire

Several England internationals certainly impressed in the NRL on the weekend.

Blake Ferguson scored two tries to help Sydney Roosters ease past Penrith Panthers 32-6. New Zealand international Isaac Liu got on the scoresheet for the Roosters, while Latrell Mitchell kicked four goals from four attempts.

Gareth Widdop will head to Denver for England’s mid-season Test against New Zealand full of confidence. He scored a try and kicked four goals to inspire St George Illawarra Dragons to a 32-8 victory over Manly Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium. England forward James Graham also got on the scoresheet for the Dragons.

Four tries from Robert Jennings helped South Sydney Rabbitohs defeat Parramatta Eels 42-24 at ANZ Stadium on Thursday. England front-rower Tom Burgess scored for the Rabbitohs, while Alex Johnston got two. Fiji ace Jarryd Hayne got one for the Eels.

A late try from Corey Oates secured a 20-16 win for Brisbane Broncos over Cronulla Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Samoa and Queensland half-back Anthony Milford scored for the Broncos, while Papua New Guinea hooker James Segeyaro was the star of the show.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck put in a man of the match performance to guide New Zealand Warriors to a 23-16 win against North Queensland Cowboys at 13000SMILES Stadium. Along with Tuivasa-Sheck, Ken Maumalo and Solomone Kata scored for the Warriors.

Melbourne Storm put on a good show as they beat Newcastle Knights 28-10 at McDonald Jones Stadium. New South Wales star Josh Addo-Carr got two tries, while Fiji flyer Suliasi Vunivalu also crossed the line.

Michael Gordon racked up a tally of 16 points as Gold Coast Titans ran-out 32-10 victors against Canterbury Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground. Ryan James, Anthony Don, Phillip Sami and Kevin Proctor also scored for the Titans.

Canberra Raiders ran in nine tries to thrash Wests Tigers 48-12 at Campbelltown Stadium. Joey Leilua and Joseph Tapine both got two tries each, while Queensland and Samoa ace Josh Papalii crossed for a four-pointer. England hooker Josh Hodgson made his return from a long spell on the sidelines and was Canberra’s standout player.

The Dragons are currently top of the table, followed by the Rabbitohs, Panthers and Warriors. The Eels remain bottom. 

NRL round 15 results:

Sydney Roosters 32-6 Penrith Panthers

St George Illawarra Dragons 32-8 Manly Sea Eagles

Parramatta Eels 24-42 South Sydney Rabbitohs

Cronulla Sharks 16-20 Brisbane Broncos

North Queensland Cowboys 16-23 New Zealand Warriors

Newcastle Knights 10-28 Melbourne Storm

Canterbury Bulldogs 10-32 Gold Coast Titans

Wests Tigers 12-48 Canberra Raiders