Missed all the rugby league results this weekend because you were running onto the field against the rules at the Sydney Football Stadium? Forgot to set the alarm for one or all of the matches this weekend? No, of course you didn’t. But if you genuinely did, or you need/want more or less, The Gurgler has you covered for the with our 2026 NRL Round 2 Results & Stats – One Minute Match Reports.
Our popular One Minute Match Reviews offers up just enough facts and figures and opinion to make it through the awkward chats the next morning on public transport, or something to talk about when ringing into the local ABC breakfast show of your choice. Or just enough level of interest so you don’t have to make eye contact with that jerk in the office you really don’t want to have to be nice to.
Regardless of how you spend your time, the One Minute Match Report has you just about covered.
2026 NRL Round 2 Results & Stats
Brisbane 32 Parramatta 40
Match Thoughts
Like Jerry Springer, but for rugby league.
Fingers are hovering above panic buttons in Brisbane as the Broncos start the season 0-2, and some argue were almost as disappointing as the previous week when they lost without scoring.
When the Broncos led 20-6 after 25 minutes, it looked like Parramatta were in for as long a night as they endured in Melbourne in Round One. But the Eels went on a try scoring spree scoring three before the break and one after it – two of them to Isaiah Iongi – to be leading 26-20.
That seemed to wake up the Broncos for a while and they did re-take the lead and were still in front 32-28 with 18 minutes to go, and you thought they might just click and go on to win the game. But Sean Russell sneaked a try in the corner to give the Eels the lead again, and future Broncos Jonah Pezet sealed the win with a try of his own after plenty of try assists.
The Broncos looked disinterested at times, and much will be said about Reece Walsh not having one of his better nights, and he sure didn’t, but very few Broncos did. The Broncos are occasionally thought of as being quite arrogant, and performances like the first two weeks wouldn’t help that, and it doesn’t get easier next week as they have to face the Storm in Melbourne, a place they don’t do well at, and may not have Adam Reynolds available because of injury. And they aren’t flush with young back ups until next season.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Jonah Pezet – silver lining for the Broncos is he’s theirs next season.
One Minute Big Stats Summary
Most of the stats you need, and just a few you want.
The Points of Interest
- Parramatta have won this fixture at Suncorp Stadium for the last two seasons now.
- Parramatta have won five of the last six games v Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. Parramatta have scored at least 22 points in each game of that run.
- Parramatta have won their last five games on a Friday, with four of the five games being away,
Warriors 40 Raiders 6
Match Thoughts
Like Jerry Springer, but for rugby league.
Time to get the Wah-ty started. Terrible puns aside, what a start to the season for the Warriors. Brushing aside one of the Premiership favourites in Round One, then blowing away the 2025 Minor Premiers in Round 2. They are looking great.
In the pouring rain in Auckland it was a tight first half with the Warriors and Canberra all square at 6-6 at the break. Who could have guessed the scoreline at the end of the game from there. Although, you could easily guess that Leka Halasima would score a try given his recent form, or maybe two as he did in the second half.
Second half was all Wahs as they overpowered Canberra outscoring them 34-0 in an awesome display.
Whilst Wahs fans, and the many well wishers won’t be buying NRL Grand Fina Tickets, maybe they are and maybe they should, but they should be excited about where the Warriors can get to in 2026. Maybe even a new Minor Premier? And more. Not the end of the world for Raiders fans, who will live to fight on for a overdue Premiership, but a timely reminder to the other teams going to visit the Wahs in Auckland this season.
One Minute Big Stats Summary
Most of the stats you need, and just a few you want.
The Points of Interest
- Warriors now have twice the wins over the Raiders at home as they lead the H2H v Canberra at Mt Smart Stadium by 14-7.
- The Wahs win broke a run of three wins for Canberra over them, and they also stopped some good runs of form on a Friday for Canberra.
- It was the Warriors’ first back to back home game wins at Mt Smart since Round 7 last year.
Roosters 26 South Sydney 18
Match Thoughts
Like Jerry Springer, but for rugby league.
What a moment, Alex Johnston breaking the all-time try scoring and despite warning for months, the fans did run onto the field to enjoy the moment. And so they should, it made the moment so much better. So good luck to the authorities trying to fine everyone. Interesting the first fan on the scene was wearing a Roosters jersey, which despite the rivalry shows the gravity of the achievement. The 15 minute delay to soak it all up was worth, and Antohny Albanese hasn’t been so popular for a long time.
Back to the game and Souths wasted a bunch of territory and ball with a failure to score and the Roosters put on two tries, one a historic moment for Daly Cherry-Evans for his first Roosters try, and the other standard good work from Daniel Tupou.
Either side of the half time break was about Alex Johnston, equaling the record before, and breaking the record one minute after half time, with Latrell Mitchell throwing the final pass for both. The record break saw Johnston sail 30 metres down the sideline to score, but legends over time will probably call it 50 metres and more.
One a night where the greatest try coring winger was celebrated, it was apt that Marky Mark from the Roosters edged the Roosters back ahead with a try that few others would have scored without being smashed into touch.
Souths had their chances after that try but some very simple errors from their very best players cost them, and perhaps it was the distraction of the record breaking try that did it. The Roosters edged further ahead to 20-12 with a penalty goal not long after Cody Walker made an unforced error. Despite a few more errors Souths then benefitted from a Roosters error when Campbell Graham scored from a Jack Wighton grubber within the first set, and with Latrell at his goal kicking best it was 20-18 with nine minutes to go.
Souths had their chances but were unable to break through and given Souths the result to go with the occasion. A shame they gave away their last good chance with a silly escort penalty, which gave the Roosters to seal the game with a try from a DCE grubber in the final minute. The Roosters take the two points but the game will still belong to Alex Johnston.
The game itself was a gripping contest, with two great rivals going at each other, bit of niggle, and not as many penalties or points as week one. NRL take notice, you don’t need basketball scoreline for games to be great. Just stars doing their thing, and the rules and officials letting them do it.
A note for following Souths games though, as soon as Cody Walker gets a bit angry, a bit pushy, almost punchy, Souths never win.
One Minute Big Stats Summary
Most of the stats you need, and just a few you want.
The Points of Interest
- The Roosters are 11/11 against South Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium on a Friday in the NRL era
- Roosters have won also six of the last seven games v South Sydney anywhere. Roosters have won six of the last seven games v South Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium on any day, including the last three.
- Roosters have won 13 of their last 14 at the Sydney Football Stadium on a Friday.
Stay tuned for the other games this weekend. Or read below……
The Rest of 2026 NRL Round 2
NRL ROUND 2 PREDICTIONS & STATS
THE NRL DONKEY’s BOLD PREDICTIONS
NRL ROUND 2 RATINGS
NRL ROUND 2 BEST BETS
