Playing in Christchurch, this Manly Sea Eagles v New Zealand Warriors game had feeling after the recent tragic events in the region.
Of course, we refer to the mass shooting that claimed many lives, people that New Zealanders knew.
Affecting everyone on a mass scale, the raw emotion was expected to galvanise the Warriors side.
Instead, it was Manly who proved far too good with a resounding 46-12 win.
The returning Trbojevic led from the front with a double, numerous line-breaks and try assists; basically, a one-man show.
He was not alone, though, as captain Daly Cherry-Evans played the perfect support role. Together, the two wreaked havoc.
The Warriors started the stronger of the two sides, though, as Isaiah Papali’i barged over.
From there, Manly dominated and tore the Warriors side to shreds to maintain their impressive record in New Zealand.
Manly hit hard and fast as the Warriors were back-pedalling by the time the half was over.
First, Trbojevic scored the first of his two tries with a burrowing effort.
He turned provider for try number two, pouncing on a Addin Fonua-Blake offload, drawing the fullback and finding Cherry-Evans.
Joel Thompson then beat the Warriors players and the dead-ball line, to ground the ball down in the nick of time.
The Warriors did stem the tide somewhat when Issac Luke scored but that is where it ended.
A late offload by Toafofoa Sipley saw Manase Fainu slice through to score as Manly went ahead 24-12 at the break.
It only went from bad to worse for the Warriors, with Luke not returning in the second half due to a hamstring injury.
The second half asserted Manly’s dominance as Trbojevic and Cherry-Evans combined again.
A further penalty goal put the Manly side up 32-12.
Three tries then put the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake, as Manly ran away with it.
Those tries were to wingers Jorge Taufua and Reuben Garrick, and a second try for Trbojevic.
It was a much needed win for Manly who sit in the top eight, at least until the rest of the round’s games are completed.
Fullbacks are a dime-a-dozen and Trbojevic drew nothing but praise from coach Des Hasler.
“He played really well, played really strong, and I think it’s also not just the player he is, I think it’s the confidence he brings to players around him,” Hasler said.
“He’s a vital piece – fullbacks are a vital piece – in any side’s make up, and we are fortunate enough Tom Trbojevic is playing at Manly.”
On the flipside for the Warriors team in general, leaking points and a lack of resiliency frustrated coach Stephen Kearney.
“There’s a bit of lack of resilience at the moment, which is an area of concern for us,” Kearney said.
“To have 46 points tonight and 34 points last week, that’s not good enough in the NRL.
“I thought given the situation on the back of last week and obviously the circumstance of the game, I was very disappointed with the effort.”
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Tom Trbojevic
2. Daly Cherry-Evans
- Manase Fainu