The Canberra Royals have defeated the defending premiers 28-25 to open the 2024 season as the visiting team proved too clinical in Round 1.
To open the scoring Pedro Rolando of the Royals would opt to take two penalty goals in the first five minutes giving the Royals an early lead. Gungahlin's flyhalf Jack Hardy also then took an opportunity early to send the ball through the posts after the home-side was given a penalty in-front of the posts in the 6th minute bringing the scores to 6-3 Royals way. Royals winger Braiden Oates was the first try-scorer of the day after he was gifted some open space after a scrum, and the number 14 made a mad dash to the corner bringing the scores to 11-3.
Royals barge over for their second try through Lincoln Smith proving too tough to stop after being delivered a short ball from Pedro close to the home sides line. Just a minute after the Royals second try, Francis Lesa put the home side on the board to stop Royals momentum and bring the scores to at 18-8 in the 16th minute. Pedro adds to his points tally in the 29th minute after taking the points on offer when his side was awarded a pentalty after attacking the Eagles line for some time.
Jack Hardy would be the next Eagle to stand up for his side, delivering a perfect chip kick in the Royals in-goal that landed on the chest of fullback Isaac Crowe, making the scoreline 13-21 going into the sheds. The eagles would continue their comeback effort and open the scoring in the second half after Liae Tuilagi cracked the royals defence as the centre scored just to the right of the posts, then converted by Hardy for a 20-21 deadlock Royals way.. The Royals would however reaffirm their lead through Lincoln Smith strolling through the defending premiers defence for his second try of the day right under the sticks to make an easy conversion for Rolando.
Nabbing a consolation try in the last minute of the match was Gungahlin's Tevita Alatini barging over to conclude the match with a score of 25-28 to the Royals.
