NRL

Luai lethal as Panthers put Roosters to the sword

With Jarome Luai staking an undeniable claim for the NSW No.6 jersey and Scott Sorensen producing the best game of his career, the Panthers put the match to bed by half-time with four unanswered tries.

Having conceded the opening try in their previous four matches, Penrith ended that streak in emphatic fashion in the 10th minute when James Fisher-Harris put Sorensen over with a nice offload.

SJ and CNK stand tall as Warriors down Bulldogs

Playing as well as ever in his 13th season in the NRL, 32-year-old Johnson came up with two try assists, two forced dropouts and 722 kick metres as the Warriors racked up their sixth win of 2023.

"Shaun leads with his voice and he leads with his actions and that's very powerful when a player can do that," Warriors coach Andrew Webster said post-match.

Bulldogs v Warriors: Addo-Carr ruled out; Ford, Kosi sidelined

The Bulldogs were pipped by the Raiders in a high-scoring clash and coming off a five-day turnaround they will benefit from a week-long preparation going into this match at Accor Stadium.

The Warriors were gallant in defeat against defending premiers Penrith on Saturday but must find some grunt after three straight losses in recent weeks after previously being well-placed in the top four. 

Andrew Webster's side has battled a heavy injury toll during this period but will view Friday night's match as a must-win and a good chance to do so.

Panthers v Roosters: Martin getting close; Crichton in for Butcher

Defending champs Penrith boast the best defence in the competition after 10 rounds but their attack has been below its fluent best in recent weeks, while the Roosters took 79 minutes to post their lone try in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys.

Both sides enter Round 11 with 5-4 records to sit in the logjam of seven teams on 12 competition points but the table topping Broncos and rampant Rabbitohs have looked a cut above the rest in the past month.

Storm v Broncos: Kamikamica set to return; Capewell named

Melbourne have shown signs of their being at their ruthless best in 2023 but the inconsistencies of their performances is a concern for Craig Bellamy, who conceded following the Bunnies defeat that they weren't learning from losses.

The Broncos have been the form team in 2023 with eight wins from 10 starts but face their toughest road trip yet in just their third time leaving Queensland this year. 

Johnston records 200th NRL match

The very same stadium he made his debut nine years ago.

The PNG International scored two tries in the 28 – 12 points win over Melbourne Storm on his milestone match.

Johnston made his debut in 2014, the year Rabbitohs went on to win the premiership. He debuted against Brisbane Broncos in Round Eight at Suncorp Stadium where he scored a try and helped his side to 28 - 26 victory over the home side.

Roosters v Cowboys: JWH set to return; Townsend in doubt

The Roosters have found form over the past fortnight after an up-and-down start to the season and will have taken plenty of confidence from holding the Warriors scoreless last week, with their goal-line defence and ability to soak up prolonged periods without the ball standing out in the 14-0 win. 

The Cowboys did neither of those things well against the in-form Sharks last week and have been further rocked by suspension and injury ahead of their trip to Suncorp Stadium.

Wests Tigers v Dragons: Naden suspended; Ravalawa set to return

The drought-breaking win over defending premiers Penrith sets up a chance to chase back-to-back wins for the joint venture - a feat not achieved by the club for over 12 months. 

St George Illawarra have dropped their past four games by a total of 11 points, indicating while they're not getting the victories Anthony Griffin and his side need, they're certainly not being blown off the park. 

Dragons captain Ben Hunt will share the dummy half duties with Moses Mbye after former Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle was dropped.

New cult hero emerges as Dolphins salute in Bennett's 900th

Bennett has waited 18 months to unleash Kiwi wrecking ball Valynce Te Whare and the 183rd player to be given his debut by the super coach made an immediate impression.

Te Whare - a raw but powerful rugby union convert, who has been biding his time with the Dolphins feeder team in the Queensland Cup - scored a try in each half as the new franchise produced a typical Bennett effort.

Panthers overcome brave Warriors in bruising encounter

The Warriors lost winger Ed Kosi, second-rower Jackson Ford and prop Bunty Afoa to injuries during the match and twice had to play with a man in the sin-bin but the game wasn't decided until Spencer Leniu scored in the 75th minute. 

The class of Cleary proved the difference, with the Kangaroos halfback running 129 metres with the ball, having a hand in two of Penrith's three tries and maintaining pressure on the Warriors defence with his kicking game.