In week 10 the European competitions take a break; United Rugby Championship (to March 25) Top 14 (to March 25) Pro D2 (to March 16) France Elite 1 XIII (to March 26) Betfred Championship (to March 18)
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NRL Round 2 Mar 9-12
Panthers – Sunia Turuva 4 vs Rabbitohs
The Panthers are back in the winners circle after a tough 16-12 victory. Turuva ran the most metres in the match with 200 (62 post contact) from 20 runs.
Parramatta – Maika Sivo 2, Waqa Blake 4, Reagan Campbell-Gillard 8 vs Sharks
Isaac Lumelume drops out of the side and will line up in the NSW Cup this weekend. The Eels are coming off a disappointing round 1 home loss to Melbourne. The Sharks are yet to post a win either. Both sides finished inside the top 4 last season.
Sivo scored a double for the Eels who again fall short at home 26-30. Campbell-Gillard also scored his 1st for the season. They had their opportunity to win the match in the final stages but the Sharks defence held firm.
Roosters – Joshua Wong 21 (RES) | Warriors – Brayden Wiliame 3, Marcelo Montoya 5
Warriors pair Wiliame and Montoya have both carried their pre-season form into the season regular. The Warriors sit in 4th position after their 20-12 win over Newcastle in round 1. Wong is inching ever closer to his NRL debut.
Bulldogs – Viliame Kikau 11 @ Storm
After a round 1 loss to Manly the Bulldogs first win may have to wait another week as they play visitors to the Storm whose injury list just keeps getting longer. Tui Kamikamica is due back within the next month and George Jennings in the next fortnight.
Wests Tigers – Api Koroisau 9 (c) | Newcastle – Daniel Saifiti 8, Jacob Saifiti 10
Koroisau starts after coming off the bench in his Tigers debut. The Tigers are favourites to get their first win.
Dragons – Mikaele Ravalawa 5 vs Titans
Ravalawa and the Dragons can put a tumultuous off-season behind them with a victory here. The Titans won their round 1 match against the Tigers and will be looking to return home with 2 away wins.
NSW Cup Round 2 Mar 9-12
Rabbitohs – Taane Milne 4 @ Panthers
Milne makes his return from suspension which ruled him out of the RLWC.
Panthers won this match 30-20. Milne came away with 113 run metres and 59 post contact metres.
Parramatta – Isaac Lumelume 2 vs Newtown
Lumelume returns to the NSW Cup after a late call up to the Eels round 1 side against the Storm.
The Jets far too good winning 42-12.
Roosters – Vuate Karawalevu 5, Joshua Wong 12 vs Warriors
Wests Magpies – Jahream Bula 1, Livai Saukuru 3, Brandon Wakeham 7, Kitione Kautoga 12, James Valevatu 14 vs Newcastle
Kautoga scored a hat-trick in round 1 while Bula also crossed for the Magpies. Kautoga has a single NRL game to his name making his debut late last season while Bula is an exciting young prospect.
Raiders – Semi Valemei 4 vs Bears
The Raiders won their round 1 match against the Eels 16-10. They face one of the competition heavyweights this weekend.
Qld Cup Round 1 Mar 11-12
Townsville – Laitia Moceidreke 2 vs Sunshine Coast
Moceidreke was the leading tryscorer amongst Fijians in Tier 2 Rugby League last year. He is in the Cowboys top 30 squad and will look to add to his solo NRL appearance in 2021.
Ipswich Jets – Jope Rotavisoro 2, Timoci Bola 5, Malakai Kovekalou 10, Gordon Whippy 15, Mosese Qionimacawa 16 vs Souths Logan
Former Silktails winger Bola makes his Qld Cup debut as does Kovekalou and Qionimacawa. Rotavisoro had a breakout season last year and will look to carry that form into the new season.
Tweed Seagulls – Lamar Manuel-Liolevave 9 @ Capras
Fiji Bati utility Liolevave enters his 7th season. He played 18 games last season scoring 1 try.
Embed from Getty ImagesPremiership Rugby Round 20 Mar 10-12
Northampton – Sam Matavesi 20 vs Bath
The Saints were victims of a mauling at Bristol last weekend. Matavesi made his return at hooker but will man the replacement backrower jersey against Bath.
Gloucester – Albert Tuisue 20 vs Leicester
After a strong start to the season the Cherry and Whites have slowly dropped down the table not having won back to back games since round 8. They sit in 7th position and could be further away from the Top 4 with a loss here.
London Irish – Api Ratuniyarawa 4 vs Sale
The Exiles site in 5th position and are in danger of being leapfrogged should they drop this match, conversely they could find themselves in the Top 4 with a win. 2nd placed Sale will be a tough task.
Bristol – Semi Radradra 13, Siva Naulago 14
The Bears are on a roll having won their last 3 Premiership matches and dropped only 1 match in the past 7 games including Premiership Rugby Cup. Their only loss was a single point to Saracens.
Can the bears make the finals? Absolutely they can sitting only 5 points outside the top 4 with 5 matches to play.
Championship Round 16 Mar 10-11
Bedford – Tui Uru 12, Joel Matavesi 12 @ Harpury College
The Blues are coming off 2 consecutive wins over Doncaster (1 in the Championship Cup) Uru scored a double in their last outing.
Coventry – Senitiki Nayalo 8 @ Cornish Pirates
London Scottish – Billy Wara 23 @ Ealing
League One Round 11 Mar 10-12
Black Rams – Nathan Hughes 8, Netani Vakayalia 11 | Kobelco Kobe – Michael Little 12
Both Hughes and Vakayalia have been in terrific form. Vakayalia scored a hat-trick in their big win against NEC last weekend, he was also named man of the match and was our player of the week. Little returns to the starting side for Kobelco.
Solid games from all 3 players involved in this match. The Black Rams now 3 straight wins after a 41-26 victory.
Toyota Verblitz – Viliame Tuidraki 11 @ Kintetsu Liners
A huge upset last weekend when Toyota Verblitz defeated Suntory in their own backyard. Tuidraki has been great this season and after making his solo appearance last year, he has played every match this season alternating between fullback and winger.
Brave Lupus – Michael Leitch 8 (c) @ Green Rockets
Dynaboars – Sam Chongkit 8, Epineri Uluiviti 20 | Canon Eagles – Inoke Burua 14
Division 2 Round 8 Mar 12
Kamaishi – Seta Koroitamana 20 vs Uruyasu
Embed from Getty ImagesSuper Rugby Round 3 Mar 10-11
Chiefs – Emoni Narawa 14m Pita Gus Sowakula 19 | Highlanders – Mosese Dawai 11
Narawa returns for the Chiefs, it will be his first appearance since their trial against Moana Pasifika where he scored 2 superb tries. Sowakula is relegated to the bench and will provide much needed spark late in the match, something they sorely missed last week in Melbourne.
The Chiefs were too good in this match winning 28-7 keeping their unbeaten record intact. Narawa came away with a try-assist while Dawai scored off a great effort close to the line powering through several defenders to score his first try of the season.
Rebels – Monty Ioane 11 | Waratahs – Langi Gleeson 8, Nemani Nadolo 11, Mark Nawaqanitawase 14
The in-form Gleeson stocks rose after a big performance against the Drua. At this stage he is looking very likely to get a spot at the RWC for the Wallabies. Unfortunately the Rebels still hesitant to give Moses Sorovi or Ilikena Vudogo a run. Angelo Smith also drops out of the side after making his debut last week.
Nadolo was a late addition to the team and played the best part of the first 60 minutes. He definitely makes an impact with or without the ball forcing the defence to double up on him leaving space for others. He looked to have scored his first try for the Waratahs only to be denied by the TMO. Gleeson also suffered a similar fate after making a great run down the middle of the field only for the try to be crossed off. Nawaqanitawase scored his 2nd try of the season.
Crusaders – George Bower 1, Sevu Reece 14, Chay Fihaki 15 @ Fijian Drua
Bower starts after coming off the bench in the first 2 rounds. Fihaki also gets a starting jersey in his first appearance this season. The Crusaders come in as heavy favourites but the Drua have proven to be a much different side at home.
Hurricanes – Isaia Walker-Leawere 5, Salesi Rayasi 11 | Blues – Hoskins Sotutu 8, Alex Hodgman 17, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 23
The Hurricanes come into this match undefeated while the Blues lost in Super Round to a fired up Brumbies side. A tough match to pick but the home side are missing their captain Ardie Savea to suspension so you would have to lean towards the Blues in a close one.
Brumbies – Rob Valetini 6 | Reds – Seru Uru 5, Filipo Daugunu 11, Suliasi Vunivalu 14, Peni Ravai 18
Both teams confidence will be sky high after coming away with impressive round 2 victories. The Brumbies at home is a tough task for any side but the Reds backline could cause some major issues for the Brumbies.
Western Force – Manasa Mataele 14, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa 21 | Moana Pasifika – Timoci Tavatavanawai 14, Levi Aumua 23
Aumua relegated to the bench likewise Fines-Leleiwase. A tough road trip for Moana and the Force will be looking to bounce back after one of their biggest losses in their Franchise history last weekend.
Embed from Getty ImagesMLR Round 4 Mar 12-13
New England – Paula Balekana 11 | Old Glory DC – Tevita Naqali 5
Houston – Vereniki Tikoisolomone 11, Emmanuel Albert 19 @ Seattle
San Diego – Jale Railala 19 vs Dallas
New England – Paula Balekana 11 | Old Glory – Tevita Naqali 5
Nationale Round 21 Mar 10-12
Bourgoin – Joketani Koroi 5 | Tarbes – Josaia Vakacegu 22
Dax – Ilikena Bolakoro 12 | Albi – Avenisi Vasuinubu 11
Narbonne – Luke Nakobukobua 8 | Chambery – Vereniki Goneva 13
Stade Nicois – Sunia Vola 1, Laijiasa Bolenaivalu 18 | Bressane – Kavekini Tabu 11
Valence – Akuila Tabualevu 12, Ben Neiceru 13 @ Suresnes
Cognac – Isimeli Kuruibua 13, Jone Tuva 14 @ Carqueiranne-Hyères
Tryscorers
Super Rugby – Mark Nawaqanitawase, Mosese Dawai, Sevu Reece, Eroni Sau, Joseva Tamani, Iosefo Masi, Ilaisa Droasese, Salesi Rayasi, Hoskins Sotutu
Premiership – Semi Radradra
League One – Viliame Tuidraki x 2, Michael Leitch, Inoke Burua
Nationale – Luke Nakobukobua x 2
NRL – Maika Sivo x 2, Reagan Campbell-Gillard
NSW Cup – Vuate Karawalevu x 2, Kitione Kautoga, Livai Saukuru, James Valevatu x 2, Semi Valemei
Qld Cup – Laitia Moceidreke, Timoci Bola, Gordon Whippy
MLR – Paula Balekana x 2
