#PreSeasonChallenge

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Broncos win NRL Pre-Season Challenge; Knights dominate Roosters, while injuries plague Rabbitohs and Storm.

The Brisbane Broncos have secured back-to-back championships in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge, defeating the North Queensland Cowboys 26-14 in the final. This victory not only showcases their dominance but also earns them a $100,000 prize.

In other notable matches, the Newcastle Knights delivered a stunning performance, overpowering the Sydney Roosters 36-0, raising concerns about the Roosters` readiness for the upcoming season. New halfback Chad Townsend struggled to make an impact, while the Knights` left edge attack proved lethal. The St. George Illawarra Dragons also impressed, with new recruits Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes, and Sione Finau showing strong chemistry on the field.

Several rule changes were trialed during the pre-season, including adjustments to obstruction calls and roll ball changeovers, which received positive feedback. However, the retroactive sin bin for failed concussion assessments sparked some controversy.

In injury news, Melbourne Storm`s Ryan Papenhuyzen faces uncertainty for Round 1 due to ankle and knee issues, while his potential replacement, Sua Fa`alogo, has suffered a hamstring injury. The South Sydney Rabbitohs are grappling with significant injuries, including Latrell Mitchell`s hamstring setback and captain Cameron Murray`s Achilles rupture.

The NRL season kicks off on March 2 with a double-header in Las Vegas, featuring exciting matchups including the Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks.

#NRL,#Broncos,#Knights,#Injuries,#PreSeasonChallenge