NRL

Two tries from off-season recruit Jaxson Paulo helped the Roosters to their first victory of the season, while it was the Warriors first loss following their first round victory over Newcastle.

After taking an 8-6 lead into the break, the Roosters scored two second-half tries and kicked a penalty with five minutes to go to secure the result at Allianz Stadium, although there will be concern around Brandon Smith failing to play the second half due to a back issue.

Ponga fronted media on Monday for the first time since being captured walking out of a pub toilet cubicle with Newcastle teammate Kurt Mann last August.

The Knights captain insisted that Mann had come to his aid after he fell ill from something he ate, despite his father Andre revealing at the time the pair had been drinking after Ponga purchased a house.

Ponga and Mann were both cleared by an NRL integrity unit investigation and drug test, but questions lingered over Ponga's drinking while sitting out the end of the season with concussions.

League Central announced on the Friday before Christmas the salary cap would be increased from $9.6 million to a record-high $12.1 million for the 2023 season.

But Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) chair Deidre Anderson says players are potentially endangering themselves by agreeing to new deals while no CBA is in place.

Warriors interim coach Stacey Jones said on Wednesday that it has been confirmed as a medial collateral ligament injury in Harris-Tavita’s knee which will sideline him for around a month.

Given that there are only five games left in the season, it is possible that the 23-year-old has played his last game for the club.

“He has done his MCL, so that’s a three to four-week injury,” Jones said.

“We’re hoping that Chanel is going to get back out on the field before the end of the year.

The Eels bounced back from a shock loss to the last-placed Bulldogs last Monday to produce one of the best performances of the season.

Parramatta’s forwards overpowered their rivals and their backs capitalized as the Eels piled on five razzle-dazzle tries.

Props for the NSW OriginJunior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard carried the ball for more than 200 metres each, while back-rower Ryan Matterson produced five of his side’s 21 offloads.

The jerseys worn in Saturday's game against the St George and Illawarra Dragons, features traditional Polynesian and Melanesian tattoo patterns.

Its designer, Brisbane tattooist Matiu Liga said the Titans wanted a Pasifika theme as a part of the NRL's "Inspire Round", where clubs adorn jerseys with indigenous art work.

The Broncos overcame the loss of Adam Reynolds on the morning of the game to a groin issue and while they weren't at their attacking best without their playmaker early, they repelled Newcastle's attacking raids before shutting the Knights out in the second half.

Brisbane scored six tries to two.

Brisbane are fourth on the table and Newcastle 14th.

The Warriors play the Dragons tomorrow.

Photo credit Broncos.com.au  

The 27-year-old has osteoarthritis and played just one game for the Warriors this season because of hip problems.

Taylor had played for the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and the Warriors over the career that spanned 116 games.

"Three shoulder reconstructions, two compound fractured fingers, hand, arm, wrist, ankle, abductor and the more recent hip surgery I think my body has been through a bit.

Coming off a 70-10 thumping to the Melbourne Storm, the New Zealand side came-from-behind to clinch a 21-20 golden point win over the Canberra Raiders in Redcliffe on Saturday night.

Facing a 20-12 halftime deficit, the Warriors fought back in the second spell, with a late converted try and then a penalty forcing the match into extra-time.

There it was returned playmaker Shaun Johnson who was the hero, kicking the match-winning field goal to give his side their fourth win of the season.

The Sydney Rooster’s winger, who is of Tongan descent, tackled St George’s Illawarra winger Mikaele Ravalawa in the 54th minute of the game at the Sydney Cricket Grounds.

Ravalawa was not injured in the incident, but Tupou’s arm hit him in the side of the head after grazing the top of the ball.

Tupou has been suspended for a week by the NRL and has the option to appeal the penalty to the NRL judiciary. However, if he loses, he will face an additional week on the benches.