NRL, Super Rugby 2025 LIVE updates: Dragons v Bulldogs, Manly v Cowboys; Waratahs v Force
BULLDOGS 28, DRAGONS 20
In 12 months, these teams could be opening the NRL season in Las Vegas.
By then, we will have a clearer answer to the questions now being asked about them. Is Canterbury the real deal? Are they able to sell out Allegiant Stadium? Are St George Illawarra halves Lachlan Ilias and Kyle Flanagan up to it?
Sitili Tupouniua celebrates with Bulldogs teammates after scoring his second try of the night.Credit: Getty Images
It will take more than 80 minutes of football to determine the latter. There are any number of new Red V combinations requiring time to gel after a drastic roster overhaul during the summer, but none have more importance than the Ilias-Flanagan partnership.
The combination was presented with a stern early challenge; a sold-out Kogarah crowd, a rushing Bulldogs defence and a large second-half deficit.
There were some nice touches, like the quick shift of the football that resulted in their side’s opening try of the night. Yet despite having an almost even share of possession, the duo weren’t able to come up with enough moments that mattered.
The Bulldogs No.7, Toby Sexton, has also had to contend with similar questions throughout his career. After a breakthrough season in 2024, they are being asked less often. The ball he delivered for a Sitili Tupouniua try was halfback ball-playing at its very best. Based on what has transpired over the previous 48 hours, Tupouniua would be pleased with his shift from the Roosters to the Bulldogs.
A game that looked over midway through the second half – the visitors opened up a 22-point lead – was whittled away courtesy of three-try Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu. However, it wasn’t enough to give the crowd of 16,211 the finale they desired.
It’s been five months since these teams last played for points and they played with a befitting intensity. It appeared only a matter of time before there was a casualty and it came in the form of Ryan Couchman. The Dragons are already short of middles and the crisis has just deepened. Couchman is gone and there is every chance that new prop recruit Emre Guler will also be sidelined after being placed on report for an alleged hip-drop on Jake Preston.
Ryan Couchman watches on the sideline after suffering a suspected ACL injury.Credit: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Francis Molo remains unsighted at Dragons training. Until his messy situation is resolved, David Klemmer also remains in limbo. Expect the Red V to make a renewed push to sign the disgruntled Tiger in coming days.
The Bulldogs will also be sweating on the match review committee’s findings after Stephen Crichton was placed on report for leading with the knees when he unsuccessfully attempted to stop Tuipulotu’s first try. The Canterbury captain limped from the field late in the game.
This was our first chance to run our eyes over the Dragons’ recruits. Clint Gutherson, as is usually the case, was one of the best in a beaten team. Valentine Holmes copped an early hit to the face that may have limited his involvement. There was a spectacular runaway dummy-half try for the Dragons, but it was scored by Jacob Liddle, not Damien Cook. And Sexton shaded Ilias, who will next week attempt to show former side South Sydney they erred in letting him leave.
