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NRL pre-season challenge ladder: Bonus point rules explained, full fixtures, standings, results

The pre-season challenge will see the winners awarded $100,000 for the first time.

Published by
Scott Pryde

The NRL pre-season challenge will see $100,000 in prize money available to the winners for the first time, with a new innovative bonus points system in play to determine the winners over two games per team.

All 17 NRL clubs will be involved, as well as St Helens from the English Super League, who front up against the St George Illawarra Dragons in Week 1, before playing the World Club Challenge against the Penrith Panthers in Week 2.

The new points system features 12 points for a win, 6 points for a draw and 0 for a loss, but each team can gain up to 3 bonus points per game, irrespective of the result.

The points system is as follows:

  • 12 points for a win
  • 6 points for a draw
  • 1 bonus point for 5 or more tries
  • 1 bonus point for 5 or more line breaks
  • 1 bonus point for 10 or more offloads

Should teams be tied at the end of the two weeks, then points differential will be used to determine the winner. Should that be tied, the greater percentage of points scored for and against will be used, before most tries, most goals, most field goals, least amount of penalties, and then, if by miracle that was all tied, the toss of a coin.

Zero Tackle will update the ladder after each game of the challenge, while you can find full fixtures and a breakdown of results at the bottom of this article.

RELATED: Week 1 team lists

Pre-season challenge ladder

Pos Team Wins Drawn Lost F/A Bonus Points
1 Sea Eagles 2 0 0 14 5 29
2 Sharks 2 0 0 32 4 28
3 Titans 1 1 0 0 3 21
4 St Helens 1 1 0 12 2 20
5 Broncos 1 1 0 2 2 20
6 Panthers 1 1 0 6 1 19
7 Storm 1 0 1 10 4 16
8 Eels 1 0 1 16 0 15
9 Rabbitohs 1 0 1 16 3 15
10 Roosters 1 0 1 -4 3 15
11 Tigers 1 0 1 -4 3 15
12 Warriors 1 0 1 18 2 14
13 Bulldogs 1 0 1 -4 2 14
14 Dolphins 0 1 1 -24 3 9
15 Cowboys 0 1 1 -2 0 6
16 Dragons 0 0 2 -30 2 2
17 Knights 0 0 2 -34 2 2
18 Raiders 0 0 2 -48 1 1

Last updated after Broncos vs Cowboys, Week 2.

Panthers vs St Helens, Week 2, played extra time as the match was the World Club Challenge. St Helens won the game, however, keeping with the rules of the pre-season challenge, the result is recorded in the above ladder as a draw.

Pre-season challenge fixtures

Week 1

Date Time Match Result Points
Thu, Feb 9 6pm Warriors vs Tigers 48-12 14-0
Fri, Feb 10 5:55pm Knights vs Sharks 16-28 1-14
Fri, Feb 10 8pm Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles 28-30 1-15
Sat, Feb 11 6pm Panthers vs Eels 22-16 13-0
Sat, Feb 11 8:05pm Dragons vs St Helens 18-30 0-14
Sun, Feb 12 1:50pm Storm vs Roosters 24-32 2-15
Sun, Feb 12 3:55pm Raiders vs Bulldogs 18-34 0-14
Sun, Feb 12 6pm Cowboys vs Dolphins 22-22 6-7
Sun, Feb 12 8:05pm Broncos vs Titans 24-24 7-7

Week 2

Date Time Match Result Points
Fri, Feb 17 5:55pm Knights vs Eels 14-36 1-15
Fri, Feb 17 8pm Roosters vs Sea Eagles 16-28 0-14
Sat, Feb 18 4:20pm Dragons vs Rabbitohs 24-42 2-14
Sat, Feb 18 6:50pm Panthers vs St Helens 12-13 6-6
Sat, Feb 18 8:55pm Broncos vs Cowboys 20-18 13-0
Sun, Feb 19 12:50pm Warriors vs Storm 6-24 0-14
Sun, Feb 19 2:55pm Tigers vs Raiders 36-4 15-1
Sun, Feb 19 5pm Bulldogs vs Sharks 16-36 0-14
Sun, Feb 19 7:05pm Dolphins vs Titans 16-40 2-14
Published by
Scott Pryde