The opening round of the NRL season has proven to be a special occasion for former Wigan Warriors stars Morgan Smithies and Kai Pearce-Paul.
The duo were on opposite sides as Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights collided both making their NRL debuts in the game between the two sides.
The Raiders started Morgan Smithies and Kai Pearce-Paul had defied the odds just to be in contention and to be named on the bench for the game.
This is because he was forced to have surgery with the Knights bemoaning the fact he arrived from Wigan Warriors injured. The injury stopped the former Wigan Warriors star from featuring for England against Tonga.
Yet stunningly he was able to get back in time for this game.
Former Wigan Warriors stars involved in NRL clash
Almost six months on from being kicked out of the 2023 finals, the Raiders exacted revenge on their Newcastle counterparts, downing the Knights 28-12 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday.
There have been plenty of question marks throughout the pre-season around how the new-look Raiders would shape up in 2024 but Ricky Stuart’s side opened their season in classic Canberra style, silencing the doubters with a gritty Round 1 performance.
An error-riddled Newcastle side (13) handed the visitors plenty of opportunities in attack and the Raiders stuck to their guns with their star forwards laying the platform and halfback Jamal Fogarty putting the ball on a platter for his teammates with another kicking masterclass.
A kick out on the full by Phoenix Crossland handed the Raiders some early field position and after Leo Thompson was penalised for a crusher tackle on Joe Tapine under the posts, Fogarty slotted a goal to open the scoreboard.
Kalyn Ponga looked to stamp his authority in the 24th minute, splitting Raiders defenders before finding Tyson Gamble in support but the try was called back for obstruction.
However, replays also showed Hudson Young laying dangerous contact on Ponga and the Raiders went down to 12-men when Young was sent to the sin bin.
With their NSW representative in the sheds and new recruit Morgan Smithies sent for a head injury assessment, it wasn’t looking good for the visitors.
But in the next set, Fogarty came to the fore with the vice-captain punting a cross field kick for Hosking who crashed over the line in his first game as a Raider.
Taking advantage of their extra man, the Knights hit back just four minutes later with veteran forward Tyson Frizell powering through defenders to reduce the deficit 8-6 before the break.
Errors continued to haunt the home side in the second stanza and a Crossland penalty gifted former Knight Danny Levi an opportunity to scoot over from close range. Fogarty converted for a 14-6 lead.
Canberra extended their lead in the 64th minute with Xavier Savage slamming the ball down in the left corner, thanks to some nice lead up work from edge partners Young and Albert Hopoate.
With ten minutes to play, veteran Jordan Rapana all but the game to bed, finishing off some hands in the corner to stretch the lead 22-6.
Former Wigan Warriors star Jackson Hastings scored a consolation try in the 77th minute but it was all too little, too late as the Raiders had the last say when Young crashed over in the shadows of full time.
