MANLY WIN WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE WARM-UP
Australian NRL champions Manly Sea Eagles had to wait until the 68th minute to take the lead in their warm-up friendly with Harlequins ahead of next Sunday’s World Club Challenge against Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.
And though they ended winning 34-26 Manly, who have not played in a competitive match since their Grand Final success in October, were simply pleased to have a run out.
They rested their big names until the second half – and Harlequins took advantage, scoring 20 unanswered points before the break and only lost the lead with 12 minutes remaining.
The home side first crossed against Manly’s second-string team after six minutes through winger Jon Wells before captain Rob Purdham powered over eight minutes later.
Tries from Chad Randall and Luke Dorn completed the scoring for the first-half. But having rung the changes at the break, Manly soon showed why they are so highly regarded. Winger Michael Robertson scored a brace within seven minutes of the restart.
And though David Howell hit back with a try for Quins, with 20 minutes left on the clock it was all about the Australians.
There were touches of class in attack and further scores came from David Williams, Brett Stewart, former St Helens star Jamie Lyon and Stever Matai.
Manly coach Des Hasler said: “The first 40 we had a lot of young kids out there but they will have got a lot from it. We looked pretty good in the second half and there were no injury concerns, so that’s good.”
Brian McDermott, the Quins coach, added: “It was good for the players to have the challenge. I thought we did some good stuff.
“We were pleased with the score at the break but we knew it would change in the second half.”
Harlequins
Tries: Wells, Purdham, Randall, Dorn, Howell
Goals: Purdam 1, Orr 1, Gale 1
Manly Sea Eagles
Tries: Robertson 2, Williams, Stewart, Lyon, Matai
Goals: Orford 2, Lyon 1, Matai
Australian NRL champions Manly Sea Eagles had to wait until the 68th minute to take the lead in their warm-up friendly with Harlequins ahead of next Sunday’s World Club Challenge against Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.
And though they ended winning 34-26 Manly, who have not played in a competitive match since their Grand Final success in October, were simply pleased to have a run out.
They rested their big names until the second half – and Harlequins took advantage, scoring 20 unanswered points before the break and only lost the lead with 12 minutes remaining.
The home side first crossed against Manly’s second-string team after six minutes through winger Jon Wells before captain Rob Purdham powered over eight minutes later.
Tries from Chad Randall and Luke Dorn completed the scoring for the first-half. But having rung the changes at the break, Manly soon showed why they are so highly regarded. Winger Michael Robertson scored a brace within seven minutes of the restart.
And though David Howell hit back with a try for Quins, with 20 minutes left on the clock it was all about the Australians.
There were touches of class in attack and further scores came from David Williams, Brett Stewart, former St Helens star Jamie Lyon and Stever Matai.
Manly coach Des Hasler said: “The first 40 we had a lot of young kids out there but they will have got a lot from it. We looked pretty good in the second half and there were no injury concerns, so that’s good.”
Brian McDermott, the Quins coach, added: “It was good for the players to have the challenge. I thought we did some good stuff.
“We were pleased with the score at the break but we knew it would change in the second half.”
Harlequins
Tries: Wells, Purdham, Randall, Dorn, Howell
Goals: Purdam 1, Orr 1, Gale 1
Manly Sea Eagles
Tries: Robertson 2, Williams, Stewart, Lyon, Matai
Goals: Orford 2, Lyon 1, Matai
Labels: Harlequins Rugby League, Manly Sea Eagles
