ST GEORGE Illawarra’s forwards inflicted all the damage on Penrith, but winger Nene Macdonald is determined to show why he’s the Dragons’ biggest try-scoring weapon this year.
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Joel Thompson crossed for three tries, as the pack delivered five of their seven tries, in a shock 42-10 demolition against the Panthers to start the season at Kogarah.
But while Canberra recruit Paul Vaughan was among the Dragons’ stand-outs, Macdonald wants to show why the club signed him in Sunday night’s clash with Parramatta at WIN Stadium.
Macdonald was in full flight at the Gold Coast last season, including a five-week burst where he scored seven tries.
The 22-year-old is ready to “go toe-to-toe” on Parramatta’s Semi Radradra, who is bound for French rugby union at the end of the year.
“I rate him one of the best wingers in the game, it will be a challenge,” Macdonald said.
“I’ll just go toe-to-toe with him, he’s a big body and I’m a big body and just see what happens.
“It will be tough, but it will be exciting. I’m good mates with him as well, but on the field we go hard.”
While Penrith were stunned by St George Illawarra’s opening round onslaught, Vaughan is expecting a searching test against Parramatta at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
The Eels were impressive in 20-12 win over Manly to start the season.
“Parra have got a great forward pack and they’re pretty aggressive with their line speed as well,” Vaughan said.
“We’re prepared and we know what we’re coming up against.”
Meanwhile, NSW representative player Tyson Frizell has sent a warning to the NRL, declaring he is fully fit after worrying his career might be over last year.
Frizell starred in a losing State of Origni cause, but suffered a back injury in the Four Nations tournament and has undergone an extensive rehabilitation process to be able to start the new season.
“It was all solved during the pre-season, it’s not going to be an ongoing thing any more,” he said.
- NRL
Round two
Sunday (6.30pm)
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v PARRAMATTA EELS
WIN Stadium
TV: Live on Fox Sports League
NSW Premiership: ILLAWARRA v WENTWORTHVILLE (4.15pm)
National Youth Cup: DRAGONS v EELS (2.15pm)
Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
