NRL trials AS IT HAPPENED: Xavier Savage stars at fullback for Raiders; Canberra hit by COVID chaos; Jarrod Croker returns after experimental knee surgery; Tom Trbojevic on fire in first half; Manly young guns run away in second half

Manly far too good in the end - the second half was pretty onesided, as Manly's young guns staked their claims for spots going forward.

Not too much to read into it given the horrendous wind at the backs of Manly in the first half, and the lack of first graders on the field in the second, but still, it was an ominous showing from the game's reigning Dally M medallist in the first half.

You can read a couple of our stories from the earlier game here, we'll see you tomorrow for three more trials.

Clever work up the middle from Kaeo Weekes who split them up the middle, and then on the following tackle it's quick hands out to the right for Vaega to finish it off!

He juggles the pass on his chest and nearly bombs it, before regathering and finishing things off with a somersault finish!

That will put a bow on things! Veaga is over the moon as he touches down for number two.

After some slick backline movement, he goes over untouched and Manly will win comfortably.

Manly lead 22-4 after 77 minutes.

You hate to see this - especially with only a few minutes left - but Brandon Webster-Mansfield has gone down with a non-contact injury, as his legs slid on the dewey surface while trying to make a tackle.

He's got the trainers on and is in considerable pain.

Webster-Mansfield graduated from St Gregory's in 2019 and has had his rise through the lower ranks curtailed by COVID. He's helped off the field and hopefully this isn't too serious.

Manly lead 18-4 after 75 minutes.

Manly's captain was delighted for Vaega after that try - and it's possible to forget during COVID just how many players have lost opportunities over the past two years.

"This [second] half is full of a lot of train and triallists and a lot of people who have played a lot of reserve great - but it's great to see them here tonight showing that they can put forward for the NRL this season," Daly Cherry-Evans said.

"It's been pretty well-documented that COVID could interrupt at any moment, so we are going to have to make sure our squads are prepared."

Manly lead 18-4 after 70 minutes.

That's probably the game - a big bomb goes up from Eiden Ackland and drops just in front of the fullback, but backup winger Ray Vaega storms through to take the kick on the full, trample a couple and sprint to the line!

Manly lead 18-4 after 60 minutes.

For the second time tonight, the video ref has stepped in to take a try off Wests - this time it was Rua Ngatikaura who got over, but the ball just slipped out of his grasp as he was grounding it.

A lot of stars have gone off at half time - a big chance for a lot of unknowns to shine in this last half an hour.

Manly lead 12-4 after 50 minutes.

Who's ready for another year of this? Tom Trbojevic gets an inside ball from his skipper, zips past a couple and is into the clear before finding his brother Ben in support, who gives it to Christian Tuipulotu to touchdown in the corner in the dying seconds of the half!

Just incredible. Something out of absolutely thin air, and at half time it's going to be a two-score lead for the visitors.

Manly lead 12-4 at halftime.

The rain is bucketing down at Leichhardt Oval, but that hasn't stopped Daly Cherry-Evans from uncorking a massive 40/20!

They take full advantage next set, as Rueben Garrick scores in the corner - a massive wind blows his conversion attempt wide though!

Manly lead 8-4 after 30 minutes.

Kelma Tuilagi strikes out wide - the first play from the scrum they go right before coming back to the left, and he slices through to score!

Brooks shanks the kick wide and we'll stay level.

4-4 after 15 minutes.