Sunday Social: Reigning champions Sydney beaten, Fifita takes flight & Brits deliver for Canberra

James Messenger 15 Mar 2020 11:17 AM

It is time for Love Rugby League’s Sunday Social, your alternative recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past seven days. While it is round one of the NRL season, today’s edition focuses solely on action from Down Under.

How about this for result of the round? 2019 NRL Premiers Sydney were shocked by Penrith, who ran out 20-14 winners at Panthers Stadium. Viliame Kikau scored the decisive try with nine minutes to go.

And the @PenrithPanthers have hit the lead! #NRLPanthersRoosters 20-14 with nine minutes to go. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/B4oaJhOoSV

— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020

What a way to score your first NRL try. Stephen Crichton latched onto Josh Mansour’s pinpoint kick and finished off a sensational team try in the Panthers’ stunning round one win.

How about that for your first #NRL try 🔥#TelstraPremiership Moment of the Match. #NRLPanthersRoosters pic.twitter.com/kr4Lbhu6SR

— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020

Could this be a tackle of the season contender already? Manly’s Jorge Taufua produced one of his trademark hits on Storm centre Marion Seve.

START THE SEASON OFF RIGHT!

Taufua goes OUSAAAA 💥#NRLManlyStorm pic.twitter.com/3R9gDOVKW2

— NRL (@NRL) March 15, 2020

Canberra started the new season with a hard-fought 24-6 win over the Gold Coast Titans. George Williams made his NRL debut, while second-rower Elliott Whitehead crashed over for the final score of the contest.

Whitehead crashes over to extend the Raiders lead 👏🏼#NRLRaidersTitans 24-6#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/EzoOGN5Ykx

— NRL (@NRL) March 13, 2020

This must surely be a contender for play of the round. Brisbane’s David Fifita showed why he is one of the hottest properties in the Australian game, leaving five defenders in his wake on his way to scoring this stunning solo try.

BEAST MODE 🔛 #NRLCowboysBroncos 9-24 with 20 mins to go. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/m9ADs6EJc9

— NRL (@NRL) March 13, 2020

And finally, it’s like Valentine Holmes has never been away. The outside back, who left the competition to chase his dream of competing in the NFL, scored within 15 minutes of his return to NRL action with North Queensland.