The second round of the 2025 NRL season saw multiple highlights including the Roosters pull-off one of the biggest upsets in NRL history, Jamie Humphreys slotting a field-goal to win the game for the Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers winning their first match of their 2025 campaign.
Roosters produce an upset for the ages
With 788 games of first-grade experience on the sidelines with either injury or suspension, the Sydney Roosters produced one of the greatest upsets of the modern era, defeating the four-time defending premiers Penrith Panthers with an inexperienced squad made up of individuals that have just graduated high school and have other jobs outside of rugby league.
Declared $11 outsiders before the match, the Roosters took it to the Panthers from the opening kick-off and looked in control for most of the game on both ends of the field – especially in attack – before winning 38-32.
Led by State of Origin representatives James Tedesco and Connor Watson, the Roosters exploited the Penrith defensive line, especially on the edges. Cross-code athlete Mark Nawaqanitawase was also one of the club’s best on the ground,
“I feel like it’s my proudest win,” Roosters captain James Tedesco said.
“No-one gave us a shot…that’s what media does and people do, they’re quick to judge. It’s on us as leaders to instil that belief in these young boys. We showed that belief tonight.
“We’ve set ourselves up with a performance like that. We have to keep building on that and keep getting better to produce more wins like that.”
Watch all the highlights as the Panthers take on the Roosters! #NRLPanthersRoosters pic.twitter.com/jyWyafs4q0
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2025
Humphreys’ field-goal hands Rabbitohs unlikely win
A late field-goal by halfback Jamie Humphreys has handed the South Sydney Rabbitohs an unlikely win against the St George Illawarra Dragons despite being heavily favoured against and being without stars Cameron Murray, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell and Tyrone Munro.
Signed from the Manly Sea Eagles, Humphreys was meant to spend most of the season in reserve grade but has proven to fans and pundits that he belongs in the NRL and given the Souths faithful hope in the No.7 jumper for the first time since the departure of golden boy Adam Reynolds.
In only his third career match, he was the standout in the match alongside fullback Jye Gray who produced multiple try-saving tackles. On the other end, it was the recalled Tyrell Sloan and veteran Clinton Gutherson who were the best for the Red V. Sloan scored twice while the fullback produced four try assists.
“He’s very confident in himself,” Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett said.
“He doesn’t see anything as a challenge. Goal-kicking for us, doing all our long kicks, dropped a field goal today. We haven’t put any pressure on him to do that.
“He has just stood up and put his hand up and said ‘I could do that’. We won the game last week on his goal-kicking and we won again tonight on his goal-kicking.”
Humphreys slots the field goal! #NRLDragonsSouths Telstra Moment of the Match pic.twitter.com/zVemzrhzCh
— NRL (@NRL) March 15, 2025
Wests Tigers claim first win of 2025
After 30 minutes of sloppy football, the Wests Tigers silenced critics, claiming their first victory of the 2025 season defeating rivals Parramatta Eels in an error-riddled match by 26 points.
Competing in hot and humid conditions, the win has marked the start of a new era for the Wests Tigers who looked like the best they have been for a long time with recruits Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva, Jeral Skelton, Jack Bird, Terrell May and Royce Hunt all starring in the win.
After 25 minutes with nothing but errors from both teams, the floodgates opened up in the 26th minute mark and it was all Tigers from then on with three tries to Sunia Turuva and one try to Starford To’a, Lachlan Galvin and Jeral Skelton.
“Very important, if we lose that today, then the external pressure builds and just gets louder and louder,” Tigers coach Benji Marshall said post-match.
“We know we’re publicised in the media a lot and talked about quite often, so hopefully it’s off the back of a few good things this week.
“As a coach, I thought those good things were defensive. People talking about our attack or whatever, but defensively is where I needed them today.”
Jeral Skelton goes in again for the Wests Tigers, and they look threatening 👀
📺 WATCH #NRLEelsTigers on Ch.502 or Kayo https://t.co/rxViX8EN8X
📝 LIVE BLOG https://t.co/JaSWOt7G1d
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/5DPIzlTRPt pic.twitter.com/7wRn7DMTtl— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 16, 2025