NRL

Utoikamanu, viewed as a potential star after impressing for NSW in the State of Origin under-20 clash last year, was the subject of a tug-of-war between Parramatta and the Tigers in the off-season with the joint-venture club trying to get him a year early after signing him for 2021.

He will make his long-awaited Telstra Premiership debut on Sunday and could be lining up against his future club in round 11 with Parramatta missing four middle forwards after a string of mid-season injuries.

Morris hurt his groin in the warm-up and Ikuvalu made the most of his first game since round two to equal Brian Allsop's haul against Parramatta at Sydney Sports Ground 65 years ago.

South Sydney flyer Alex Johnston had been most recent NRL player to bag a quintet with his 2017 effort. Coming into the clash on Thursday, Ikuvalu had scored four tries in 15 NRL appearances.

You couldn't tell from the final scoreline but the Cowboys had the upper hand early as the Roosters completed just 64 per cent of their sets in the opening stanza at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Robinson hit the headlines last week when he revealed sacked coached Stephen Kearney was the wrong personality for the New Zealand NRL club, while also stating they would be letting go of both playmaker Blake Green and outside back Gerard Beale after this season.

Based on the Gold Coast-based, the club owner had joined the team at their training base in New South Wales and was set to be part of the Warriors camp for around a month.

Tevaga didn't expect that to create any tension, despite Robinson's actions and comments.

The veteran halfback found out through media that the Warriors wouldn't be re-signing him for the 2021 season.

Green responded by leading the Warriors to a come-from-behind 26-16 win over the Broncos in Gosford, with regular skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck unavailable due to suspension.

He stood up in the absence of halves partner Kodi Nikorima, who was forced off the field early in the first half with concussion, guiding the Warriors around the park with a clever kicking game, highlighted by a booming 40/20.

The giant winger, who is one of the Warriors players that want to return to New Zealand to be with their familties, has scored two tries and run for almost 300 metres to help his side to a come-from-behind 26-16 win over the Brisbane Broncos in Gosford.

Brisbane, in search of their first win since the NRL restart, had led 10-nil after half an hour, with Maumalo dotting down on the stroke of halftime to keep the Warriors in touch.

Speculation swirled about Marshall's future on Monday when a Sydney Morning Herald column claimed Marshall's manager Matt Desira had sounded out other NRL clubs for a mid-season move for the 35-year-old playmaker.

Parramatta was suggested as a potential destination with the Eels losing influential half Mitchell Moses to a calf injury last weekend.

But Maguire, asked by NRL.com if Marshall had given any indication he wanted to leave, said: "None whatsoever.

Payten said he was "pretty calm" as the biggest test in his fledgling NRL head coaching career approached with the Warriors game against the Storm on Friday night in Sydney.

He has been a professional coach for nine years with stints with the Wests Tigers and North Queensland Cowboys before he arrived in Auckland in 2019.

Friday's game against the 6th-place Storm is his first as an NRL head coach.

Melbourne Storm were to host the Warriors at their home ground but will instead clash in Sydney, the NRL said following consultations with biosecurity experts.

"I want to thank the Melbourne Storm players for putting the game ahead of their personal circumstances," NRL acting CEO Andrew Abdo said in a statement.

Victoria state, of which Melbourne is the capital, has recorded double-digit rises in new Covid-19 infections, accounting for nearly 90% of the 126 cases detected nationally over the past week.

The flying 22-year-old scored the first hat-trick of his NRL career, producing a sensational diving finish for one try and displaying fantastic hands for another at Bankwest Stadium.

Canterbury threatened to pull off a comeback at the death after Christian Crichton scored an intercept try, but Cronulla scrambled desperately to secure their second win of 2020.

Sharks coach John Morris shook his head in disbelief at Katoa's brilliance post-match.

"He's just such a great kid, Sione. He's worked so hard on his game," Morris said.

The Dragons confirmed on Thursday they were considering granting Graham a release to return to the English Super League.

"The Dragons will consider this option for Graham on the merit a replacement player is secured by the club prior to his release," the club said in a statement.

It's understood Graham only approached Dragons management on Wednesday afternoon and if he did return home it would be to his original club St Helens.

The ball-playing prop played 224 games for the English club before leaving for the NRL and Canterbury at the end of 2011.