Try-scoring doubles, NSW Origin contenders emerge and a quarter of the competition remain undefeated. These are the key numbers and statistics that defined the Round 2 of the 2015 NRL Telstra Premiership season.
2
Four players scored two tries each in the Bulldogs' Friday night win over the Eels. The Canterbury-Bankstown back three of Brett Morris, Curtis Rona and Sam Perrett all bagged try-scoring doubles, while Eels enforcer Manu Ma'u crossed twice in three minutes to keep Parramatta in with a shot at victory.
28
Number of runs by Paul Gallen against the Broncos. It might have been a fairly dour encounter, but those sorts of contests create the perfect conditions for workhorse forwards to thrive. Paul Gallen was a standout, making a staggering 269 metres from 28 runs. Add 37 tackles, two tackle busts and two offloads to the mix and you begin to appreciate the sort of night the Cronulla skipper had. His opposite number, Corey Parker, returned to posting the types of numbers (107 metres, 42 tackles) we expect after a relatively quiet opening round.
3
Matt Moylan's tally of try assists and line-break assists against the Titans. The young Penrith fullback's stocks continue to rise with another strong showing in Bathurst. In addition to assisting three tries and line breaks, Moylan also ran for 170 metres, had a line break of his own and two offloads. He also contributed with the boot, converting four tries from six attempts. Is Moylan ready for Origin? The man himself thinks so.
11
Minutes Adam Reynolds spent off the field in the Rabbitohs' win over the Roosters. When Reynolds left the field the home side was cruising, up 12-0 mid-way through the first half. Amazingly, in the 11 minutes he missed, the Roosters managed to score three tries, with Michael Jennings claiming a double and Daniel Tupou also crossing. The Tricolours may well have scored those tries had Reynolds been on the field, but the reshuffle caused by his absence allowed the visitors back into the game.
88
The Roosters' percentage of completed sets. They may have been on the wrong end of the scoreline, but one area coach Trent Robinson must be happy with is his side's completion rate. When you complete 30 of 34 sets, you expect to perform well. It wasn't to be on Sunday afternoon, with Robinson admitting their on-line defence let his side down. But with numbers like that, you'd think the Roosters will continue to win more often than not.
4
At the conclusion of Round 2 the Panthers, Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers and Knights remain the only undefeated teams in the competition. This run will come to an end for at least one of these sides in Round 3 when South Sydney and Wests Tigers clash on Sunday afternoon, but for now, all four clubs remain on four competition points.
This article first appeared on NRL.com
