NRL Power Rankings - 2018 Round 2

NRL24
Embed from Getty Images

Check out how we rate your team after one round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership.

1. 

Last week: 2nd.

It was fairly ugly in the end but the Dragons toughed it out to win a sloppy local derby in the Shire on Thursday. They're two from two and have shown in those games they can do it flashy or grind it out - which should stand them in good stead moving forward. The real test for the Red V is maintaining the rage, as we all know they faded badly after the halfway point of last season.

2. 

Last week: 3rd.

This team is a genuine excitement machine. They didn't get as many points on the board as they would've liked or perhaps even deserved against the Titans on Saturday but they've shown a great resolve and don't seem to be fading in games like in previous years. Time will tell, and fans won't want to get too excited yet - but there's plenty of promise.

3. 

Last week: 11th

What a turnaround. This mob was ground down and stifled by the Tigers in Round 1 but turned it all around a week later to flog the 'Dogs fairly comfortably. The return of Luke Keary into the halves was a significant benefit, although their backline depth faces a test with what looks like a medium-to-long term injury to winger Daniel Tupou. Sunday's clash with Newcastle should be a cracker.

4. 

Last week: 4th

The grind of this team is something to behold. They're struggling to score tries, but against two of the NRL's stingiest defences they've managed two wins and that's nothing to scoff at. Plenty of fans will be getting On the Bus after this opening fortnight - hopefully this means Campbelltown is bursting at the seams this Friday night as the black, orange and white face off against Brisbane.

5. 

Last week: 1st

A patchy performance against a wily Wests Tigers - the Storm were sloppy but largely kept their resolute defence in check for most of the contest. Bellamy will be bitterly disappointed but his charges shouldn't have too much trouble hitting back against the Grand Final opponents from last October in the Cowboys this Thursday.

6. 

Last week: 6th

Those first halves are still a big concern for the Panthers - teams in better form than South Sydney or the Eels will no doubt put plenty more on the board than 14. Fans won't want to be relying on second-half fightbacks all year. That starts with their first away trip of the season, just down the M4 at ANZ against Canterbury on Friday.

7. 

Last week: 7th

How good is this story? They're scraping in the wins and sit 2/2 after a couple of rounds, having knocked off Manly and Canberra. They're playing much better footy than the last few seasons, but the real test comes on Sunday evening when they head to Allianz Stadium to face premiership heavyweights the Roosters.

8. 

Last week: 9th

Wowee. Great performance against a lacklustre Eels outfit. It's hard to tell if it's a flash in the pan or a genuine form up-turn but the Sea Eagles certainly showed plenty of class in their home opener. They'll be keen to repeat the performance against South Sydney at ANZ in Saturday's double header.

9. 

Last week: 16th

The very definition of bounce-back. After an awful opening round the Broncos sprung to life against Queensland rivals the Cowboys. That said - they'd have lost if it weren't for a goalpost.

10. 

Last week: 5th.

And this mob would've won had it not been for a goalpost. An admirable performance and only really slide so many positions to accomodate other sides rising up. Will be in amongst it and no doubt rise up these standings - even with a tough test against the Storm in Melbourne this Thursday.

11. 

Last week: 12th

Another team who didn't disgrace themselves despite going 0-2 after two rounds. Have been competitive in both games so far but just lacking that final punch to defeat quality opposition. Should enter the winners circle over Parramatta this coming Saturday, but stranger things have happened.

12. 

Last week: 13th

Able to score plenty of points, but not able to defend them. Consecutive 30-28 losses for the Green Machine will no doubt have Ricky Stuart reaching for the defensive playbook. Canberra have made a habit of losing close ones in recent years, so if there's less than 6 or 8 points in the contest this Saturday against the Warriors at GIO Stadium, get on the visitors.

13. 

Last week: 8th

After that win over Canberra in Round 1, these boys have hit the ground with a thud. Admittedly missing first-choice half Ash Taylor, they still had enough quality players to match it with the Warriors, but sadly were never really in the contest. They now embark on a journey around Australia over the next month and a half with home ground Cbus Super Stadium unavailable due to the Commonwealth Games. That starts this Sunday in Toowoomba where they host St George Illawarra.

14. 

Last week: 15th

An impressive first half, but discipline and errors combined with a Penrith side full of second-half steam saw the Bunnies turn to roadkill. It doesn't get any easier with the Rabbits hosting an in-form Manly on Saturday at ANZ.

15. 

Last week: 10th

While most put their Round 1 blowout against Melbourne down to a few bits of bad luck, the second match of the season saw the Roosters lay the 'Dogs defensive frailties bare for all to see. While there were a couple of controversial turning points, the disapppointment among the players was evident. Dean Pay's got his work cut out for him if he wants this side to have any impact this season.

16. 

Last week: 14th

54-0. Add to that conceding 24 unanswered points against Penrith after going 14-0 up in round one and it's not a pretty picture. Tim Mannah was almost lost for words after their loss to Manly yesterday - the Eels need to find answers fast otherwise they could be in for a long, long season.


Have we got it right? Throw your comments in below!