NRL.com Wrap: Knights roll Cowboys in Vegas

 

90 min: Crichton has kicked the Bulldogs to victory with a 25m field goal with just 10 seconds on the clock. Bulldogs 15 Dragons 14.

89 min: The Dragons have conceded seven tackle set after Atkinson's field goal attempt was fielded in the in-goal. The Dogs have received another chance to seal the win after a penalty for a strip.

86 min: Gutherson kicks off for the second half of Golden Point. If no one breaks the deadlock in the next five minutes both teams will receive a point each.

85 min: Holmes, who is hampered by a leg injury, has missed another long range field goal attempt.

83 min: Burton had a field goal attempt charged down by Su'A.

Golden Point: The Bulldogs have 12 Golden Point wins out of 16 Golden Point games, 3 losses and a draw.

80 min: Holmes missed a field goal from halfway. We are going to Golden Point.

79 min: Crichton has overplayed his hand by attempting a flick pass after a break by Viliame Kikau.

77 min: The Bulldogs had a chance to attempt a field goal after a handling error by Suli but opted to run the ball and the centre produced a try scoring opportunity.

74 min: Flanagan has levelled the scores with a penalty goal from 30m out after Max King was ruled offside with the Bulldogs in possession. Bulldogs 14 Dragons 14.

69 min: The Dragons have been forced to scramble in defence after failing to play to the whistle as Connor Tracey raced away. Christian Tuipulotu saved the day when he drove Marcelo Montoya over the sideline.

67 min: Tu has come from the field with cramps. Mathew Feagai has replaced him.

63 min: The Dragons have repelled a Bulldogs attacking chance, with Kyle Flanagan chasing down Lachlan Galvin after a break by Burton.

60 min: Another boost for the Dragons with Suli returning after passing his HIA.

59 min: The Dragons have hit back through a try to Tu on debut after an offload by Jaydn Su'A to Gutherson, who tapped the ball on for Holmes to pass to the rookie winger. Holmes missed the conversion. Bulldogs 14 Dragons 12.

57 min: The Dragons have their best opportunity of the second half after Tupouniua lost the ball in an attacking position. 

50 min: If it doesn't work the first time, try, try again as Crichton put Kiraz over for a try from a scrum move. Crichton had been tackled after the Bulldogs produced exactly the same move from a scrum on the previous play - only for the Dragons to be penalised for breaking too early. Crichton got on the outside of Holmes and drew Tu to put Kiraz over. Crichton missed the conversion from out wide. Bulldogs 14 Dragons 8.

47 min: Centre Moses Suli has been forced from the field for a HIA after being slammed into the ground in a heavy tackle and the Dragons have conceded a penalty for dissent. 

Crowd: A new record attendance for Rugby League Las Vegas with 45719 at Allegiant Stadium.

Halftime Summary: The Dragons were written off in most quarters and even their own coach says they can't win the comp but they have shown in the opening 40 minutes against the Bulldogs that they will have a crack. Both teams have scored a try apiece, with only the boot of Stephen Crichton being the difference at halftime. Lachlan Galvin has been the main threat with the ball for the Bulldogs, along with Matt Burton's towering kicks, bit the Dragons defence has largely held firm under pressure. Whether they can maintain that for another 40 minutes remains to be seen but whatever the final result it appears likely to be close. Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz leads the metres, carrying the ball for 118m from 12 runs, while Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson has run 103m. 

38 min: Crichton put the Bulldogs ahead just before halftime with a penalty goal. Bulldogs 10 Dragons 8.

37 min: The Dragons have burned their captain's challenge after Gutherson challenged a penalty for an escort by Tu. 

35 min: Leilua has conceded a penalty while in possession after reacting to a tackle. Both captains have been warned.

34 min: Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has been penalised for a high shot on rookie winger Setu Tu as he was falling after fielding a kick.

29 min: Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu has been placed on report for a shoulder charge on Connor Tracey

28 min: St George Illawarra prop Toby Couchman has been placed on report for a high tackle on Sitili Tupouniua.

27 min: The Dogs have opted to take the two points and Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has levelled the scores. Bulldogs 8 Dragon 8.

25 min: Lachlan Galvin has been troubling the Dragons defence and the 20-year-old halfback - not yet old enough to buy a drink in Vegas - has received a penalty after Luciano Leilua interfered with him as he chased a kick. 

21 min: Double change for the Dragons with local juniors Ryan Couchman and Hamish Stewart on for Sele and Guler. Dogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has sent Harry Hayes into the fray for Hughes.

15 min: Prop Emre Guler has hit back for the Dragons after a perfectly weighted grubber into the in-goal by hooker Damien Cook. Holmes converted. Dragons 8  Bulldogs 6. 

11 min: Bulldogs strike secondrower Jacob Preston has scored the first try after Lachlan Galvin ran the ball to the line and linked with the Kangaroo tourist, who pushed off Moses Suli and swerved around Gutherson. Burton converted. Bulldogs 6 Dragons 2.

8 min: Dragons centre Val Holmes has opened the scoring with a penalty goal after Bulldogs prop Sam Hughes ran Clint Gutherson off the ball as he chased a Daniel Atkinson kick. Dragons 2 Bulldogs 0. 

5 min: The Bulldogs have committed the first error of the game after failing to have anyone at dummy half when Lachlan Galvin played the ball.

0.01m: The Bulldogs have kicked off and Dragons prop Hame Sele takes the first hit up off the game. 

Late Mail

Bulldogs: One late change 90 minutes before kick-off with Enari Tuala joining the six-man bench in place of Sean O'Sullivan, who drops out of the side.

Dragons: Hame Sele starts the game at lock and Hamish Stewart goes to the bench in a game day swap.

 

Knights v Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Follow me, boys: Jason Taumalolo continues to throw his body at the defensive line and lead the Cowboys forward in his 17th season in the NRL. In 44 minutes of game time, Taumalolo ran for 108 metres while Griffin Neame (11 runs for 112m) was also strong in his return from injury.

High five: The Knights' back five of Kalyn Ponga, Dom Young, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best and Greg Marzhew combined for 80 runs and 778 metres as well as 29 tackle breaks. 

Full-time: The Knights have broken a drought that stretches back to June 21 last year as Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown show their class in a 28-18 win. Star recruit Sandon Smith also played a leading role after entering the game when Fletcher Sharpe went down with a knee injury.

77 min: Reed Mahoney puts in a grubber out of dummy half but it's too long and the Knights hang on. So close now for Kalyn Ponga and his men.

73 min: A freakish try for the Knights after Dom Young climbs high to bring down a Sandon Smith kick before slipping a great offload to Trey Mooney who reaches out to score. Kalyn Ponga bangs over his fourth conversion. Knights 28-18.

72 min: Braidon Burns jams in on Kalyn Ponga and catches the Knights captain high. He is sent to the sin bin and the Cowboys are down to 12 for the rest of the game. 

69 min: The Cowboys squander another opportunity as the last pass goes astray and into touch. The Knights continue to hang on grimly.

61 min: Bradman Best returns the favour with a mistake as the error total between the two sides hit 18 for the night.

60 min: Scott Drinkwater crabs across field and turns the ball under to Braidon Burns who puts it down and the Knights go on the attack.

57 min: The Cowboys lose their shape in attack and go backwards 20 metres before a Jake Clifford pass floats forward and the Knights pounce.

55 min: A poor pass out of dummy half by Phoenix Crossland leads to an error by the Knights and they are under the pump.

52 min: Jake Clifford slides to the left and puts in a pinpoint grubber for Murray Taulagi to follow through and score as he beats Fletcher Hunt to the ball. Clifford converts. Knights 22-18.

48 min: Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown combine before Dane Gagai's quick tap-on puts Dom Young over in the corner as the Knights kick clear. Ponga's conversion attempt hits the upright and bounces away. Knights 22-12.

47 min: Jake Clifford goes too big with the kick-off and the Knights have another shot a points.

46 min: The Knights hit the front after a late offload from Tyson Frizell creates second-phase play for Sandon Smith to unleash Kalyn Ponga who glides into space and puts Bradman Best over for a try. Ponga converts. Knights 18-12.

Hard to handle: Knights duo Greg Marzhew and Fletcher Sharpe busted 11 tackles between them as Newcastle got off to a flyer while Dom Young ran for 78 metres and broke five tackles.

Burns runs hot: Veteran Cowboys winger Braidon Burns racked up 124 run metres and six tackle breaks in an impressive opening 40 while Murray Taulagi ran for 102 metres and bagged a try.

Half-time: The loss of Fletcher Sharpe is a hammer blow for the Knights after he started the game in explosive fashion. The Cowboys lost Tom Mikaele to a leg injury while star fullback left the field with a rib cartilage issue but was able to return.

36 min: Gutsy goal line defence from the Knights as they force an error from Coen Hess on the last play with a solid front-on shot.

34 min: Reed Mahoney grubbers into the in-goal and the Knights scramble to make it dead. The Cowboys reload from the dropout.

32 min: The Cowboys lose Tom Mikaele after he came down awkwardly in a tackle and his leg buckled. Tyson Frizell is placed on a report for a cannonball tackle.

31 min: On the back of a great run by Jaxon Purdue coming out of his own end the Cowboys go on the attack and they cash in when Sam McIntyre produces a brilliant flick pass for Murray Taulagi to cross in the left-hand corner for the 62nd try of his career. Jake Clifford nails the kick from wide out. 12-12.

27 min: Fletcher Sharpe leaves the field and Sandon Smith comes on for his run in Knights colours.

26 min: The Cowboys hit back through Heilum Luki who runs a great line on the right edge and surges past Fletcher Sharpe who looks to be hampered by a leg injury. Jake Clifford converts. Knights 12-6.

23 min: A poor pass by Fletcher Sharpe is scooped up by Braidon Burns and the Cowboys are off the hook.

21 min: Jake Clifford comes up with an error to hand the Knights possession 20 metres out.

20 min: A blow for the Cowboys with fullback Scott Drinkwater leaving the field clutching his ribs but he is expected to return in the second half.

18 min: A high tackle by Jermaine McEwen on Jaxon Purdue allows the Cowboys to come out of danger.

16 min: Phoenix Crossland gets out of dummy half and launches a 40-20 kick that gives the Knights another shot at points.

14 min: Another kick, another try for the Knights. Dylan Brown kicks across field, Bradman Best taps the ball down to Fletcher Sharpe who sends it to winger Greg Marzhew who powers over. Kalyn Ponga adds the extras. Knights 12-0.

10 min: The Cowboys get a chance to hit back after Trey Mooney made a mistake on the first tackle after the kick-off. Jaxon Purdue's error lets the Knights off the hook.

7 min: We have the first try of the NRL season as Kalyn Ponga puts up a pinpoint kick and Fletcher Sharpe soars above Scott Drinkwater to take the ball on the full and plunge over. Ponga converts. Knights 6-0.

6 min: The Cowboys are ruled to have knocked on through Reed Mahoney. They throw in a captain's challenge and come up empty so it's Knights ball on halfway.

5 min: Dom Young is tackled just short, Dane Gagai gets into dummy half and gets over the line but is ruled to have juggled the ball and lost it into a Cowboys defender before wriggling free and putting the ball down.

3 min: Kalyn Ponga grubbers into the in-goal and Braidon Burns is forced to scramble and knock it dead. The Knights get another set from 10 metres out.

2 min: Jermaine McEwen loses the ball coming out of his own end and referee Ashley Klein rules a knock on. The Knights throw in a captain's challenge and come up trumps when a strip is ruled.

Late Mail

Knights: A late change with Mat Croker coming into the run-on side at lock with Tyson Frizell moving to the bench. Skipper Kalyn Ponga will play his first game since Round 17 last year having fully recovered from a foot injury. Centre Dane Gagai (hamstring) and five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe (hamstring) are also good to go for the season opener. Sharpe will partner star signing Dylan Brown in the halves while former Rooster Sandon Smith wears the No.14 jersey. 

Cowboys: No late changes 90 minutes before kick-off for the Cowboys with Liam Sutton the final man to drop out of the squad. The two-game ban handed to Zac Laybutt for a lifting tackle during the Pre-Season Challenge sees Tom Chester come into the centres for his first NRL game since Round 17 in 2024. Chester missed the 2025 season due to an ACL injury. Jake Clifford and Tom Dearden are the halves with Jaxon Purdue in the centres. 

 

Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Full-time: Four tries and eight tackle breaks for Maika Sivo as he puts on a show for a monster crowd at Allegiant Stadium. Rhinos fans are in raptures and Robins fans in shock after a blowout that no one saw coming. After missing the 2025 season with an ACL injury Sivo is back in a big way.

79 min: A magical day for Cooper Jenkins as he makes it a double to go with 139 run metres as the Rhinos rack up their biggest ever score against Hull KR. Chris Hankinson converts. Leeds 58-6.

77 min: Rhinos front-rower Cooper Jenkins puts the icing on the cake with a hard-charging try from close range to raise the half century. Chris Hankinson adds the extras. Leeds 52-6.

74 min: The party is in full swing for Rhinos fans as they belt out 'Mr Brightside' and revel in a memorable victory.

73 min: Maika Sivo is penalised for a late shot on Peta Hiku after the ball had been passed.

69 min: That's four for Maika! The former Eels cult hero ensures he will become a Rhinos favourite as he makes it four for the day after a Hull KR turnover handed Leeds field position again and they swung the ball quickly to the left. Leeds 46-4.

68 min: Leeds playmaker Jake Connor gets an early mark from Brad Arthur after a stunning performance.

65 min: Lachie Miller puts a goal line dropout out on the full and Hull KR finally have a try when Joe Burgess gets across thanks to some nice work on the inside from Mikey Lewis and Oliver Gildart. The conversion is successful from Rhyse Martin. Leeds 40-6.

63 min: A high tackle penalty against James McDonnell gives Hull KR the chance to go on the attack.

56 min: The Jake Connor-Maika Sivo show rolls on at Allegiant Stadium. Connor goes to the air, the ball spills to Lachie Miller and the fullback sends a long ball to the rampant Sivo who completes his first hat-trick for Leeds and the seventh of his career. Connor converts. Leeds 40-0.

51 min: Danny Levi schemes out of dummy half and picks up Brodie Croft who scampers over for his second try of the match. Leeds 34-0.

49 min: Hull KR make some inroads but Brodie Croft is on hand with an acrobatic catch to bring down a chip kick and the Rhinos keep their line intact.

46 min: Some razzle dazzle from the Rhinos finishes with Lachie Miller who kicks ahead and the Robins scramble back to cover up but it's another set for Leeds.

41 min: Lachie Miller puts the kick-off out on the full and Hull KR get an early shot at launching a comeback.

Half-time: A stunning start to the Las Vegas extravaganza from the Leeds Rhinos with a rampaging Maika Sivo coming up with two tries, two line breaks and four tackle breaks as Brad Arthur's men opened up a 28-0 point lead over the Super League premiers. Jake Connor was also sensational for the Rhinos with some brilliant kicking including a 40-20 to set up his team's third try. Hard to see a way back for the Robins who have been blown off the park by the likes of Sivo, Keenan Palasia and Kallum Watkins.

38 min: Lachie Miller crosses for Leeds but James McDonnell is penalised for obstruction in the lead-up and the try is ruled out.

37 min: Mikey Lewis powers into the backfield and picks up Jez Litten and the hooker races away to score but the bunker rules 'no try' for obstruction in the lead-up.

34 min: A short dropout by the Rhinos is taken on the full by Maika Sivo who surges 70 metres down the left flank before being dragged down. The ball is then swung to the right and Brodie Croft sends a long ball to 38-year-old Ryan Hall who crosses for the Rhinos' fifth try. Jake Connor hits the post with the conversion attempt. Leeds 28-0.

29 min: Keenan Palasia powers on to the ball from 10 metres out and uses Jack Broadbent as a speed hump before slamming the ball down for the Rhinos' fourth try. Jake Connor keeps his perfect record intact with the conversion. Leeds 24-0.

28 min: Another error by Jai Whitbread in the ruck hands the ball straight back to the Rhinos inside the red zone.

27 min: A great cover tackle by Tom Davies denies Maika Sivo a hat-trick and the Super League champions come away from their own line.

26 min: Jai Whitbread drops it cold coming out his own end and the Robins are under the pump again.

22 min: On the back of a 40-20 from Jake Connor the Rhinos cross for a third try when Brodie Croft slices through Jai Whitbread to score. Croft now has three tries in three games in the Super League season. Connor adds the extras. Leeds 18-0.

15 min: Sivo has two! A great pass from Ash Handley as he goes to the ground and Jake Connor tips it on to Sivo who steamrolls Tom Davies to dot down in the corner. Connor again bangs it over from touch. Leeds 12-0.

13 min: Mikey Lewis goes to the air and Joe Burgess climbs high but knocks the ball on and the Rhinos come out of trouble.

12 min: A loose offload from Kallum Watkins is spilt by Brodie Croft and the Robins take over 40 metres out from the Rhinos line.

9 min: The Rhinos strike first through Maika Sivo courtesy of a long ball from Jake Connor. A rampaging Sivo powers through a couple of defenders to score right in front of the Rhinos faithful. Connor converts from wide out. Leeds 6-0.

8 min: The Rhinos allow a high ball to bounce and it ends up in the hands of Mikey Lewis who is dragged down 10 metres out and Leeds get possession.

5 min: A superb 40-20 attempt by Mikey Lewis is tapped back into play by Maika Sivo and Ash Handley scrambles back to cover up and it's a Leeds dropout.

2 min: A great set from Hull KR with a deep kick on the end of it and Lachie Miller is swamped just metres out from his own line.

Late Mail

Both sides are unchanged on game day and ready to get it on in front of a raucous crowd at Allegiant Stadium.