Key takeouts from NSW v Queensland, women’s Origin, New Zealand v Tonga, Fiji v PNG, Samoa v Cook Islands rugby league Tests



NSW Sky Blues 20 bt Queensland Maroons 14

A premiership, the best afield in State of Origin. All that’s left for Isabelle Kelly now is success with Australia at season’s end to cap a perfect campaign. It’s got Darren Lockyer circa 2006 written all over it. Oh, and you can throw in the prospect of a second premiership in one year for good measure. Kelly scored the match-sealer and was virtually unstoppable all night. Rival fullbacks Emma Tonegato and Tamika Upton were brilliant in equal measure. Sky Blues five-eighth Kirra Dibb played a starring role in her Origin recall. While she refused to be drawn on the topic during the build up, NSW coach Kylie Hilder can perhaps breathe a little easier now with her side already in the box seat to retain the shield next year. A two-game series means this year’s victors only need one win to lift the silverware again. A three-game series is inevitable, and a record crowd of 11,321 in Canberra suggests fans have an appetite for more.
Caden Helmers

New Zealand 26 bt Tonga 6

Roosters ace Joey Manu would steal the show as the Kiwis delivered a 26-6 masterclass against Tonga at a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. It was everything good about international rugby league as both sides produced emotional pre-game statements via the Haka and Sipa Tau before letting their football do the talking on the field. Unfortunately for Tonga, they didn’t have a great deal to say as Manu busted seven tackles on his way to a whopping 404m with the ball. Addin Fonua-Blake (131m) tried his heart out for Tonga but they were simply outclassed by an excellent New Zealand side that has set a strong marker ahead of the World Cup.
Phil Lutton

Samoa 42 bt Cook Islands 12 at Campbelltown Stadium

The Cook Islands made a game of this for longer than most expected, but the class of Samoa ultimately won out. David Nofoaluma bagged four tries, but the real star of the show was Josh Schuster. The Sea Eagles ball-player shed tears during the anthem, but soon had the defence weeping, setting up three tries. The Samoans have plenty of good finishers in their backline in Penrith trio Charlie Staines, Izack Tago and Taylan May. If some of the Samoan-eligible Panthers stars – including Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai and Brian To’o – decide to make themselves available for the Pacific nation, then this could be the dark horse in the World Cup. The Cook Islands hand only a few players with NRL experience, but can hold their heads high after a spirited performance.
Adrian Proszenko

PNG 24 bt Fiji 14

Got to love an international upset, especially considering PNG were $4 outsiders before kick-off against a handy Fijian line-up. The Kumuls haven’t been sighted since the pandemic, but have now fired a World Cup warning, especially when you remember their last start in 2019 was a historic rumbling of Great Britain in late-2019. Led by the irrepressible Justin Olam, PNG were at their physical best against some of the NRL’s heaviest hitters in Viliame Kikau, Tui Kamikamica and Maika Sivo. Forgotten Roosters half Lachlan Lam gave a reminder of his value to a roster with two tries while Panthers rookie Sunia Turuva confirmed what good judges in both western Sydney and Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins set-up have known for some time – a promising NRL career awaits. Penrith bump him up into their top 30 next season after Turuva knocked back Bennett’s advances to stay with the Panthers until 2024. How they fit him into a sizzling back line though should keep rival clubs on a watching remit.
Dan Walsh

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