When Luke Brooks linked up with Manly over the summer, coach Anthony Seibold had one main mission for him – "RUN!".
And in his Sea Eagles debut after 11 mixed seasons at the Tigers, the much-maligned five-eighth didn't disappoint.
Brooks made 104 running metres – including a crucial second half solo try that broke Souths' spirit at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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He was also unlucky to have a second try disallowed.
"We have Daly (Cherry-Evans) to organise the team so we want Luke to just play his natural game – he's a great runner of the football," Seibold told Wide World of Sports before Sunday's historic clash in Vegas.
Brooks' debut was one of many Manly highlights as the team came from being in strife at 20-18 down midway through the second half, having conceded two quickfire tries, to finish 36-24 winners.
MITCHELL 'MIXED BAG'
Latrell Mitchell was a mixed bag as Souths went from a winning position to being well and truly outclassed by the Sea Eagles.
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Having conceded an intercept try at a vital time, Latrell could have dropped his head – it's something he has done in the past.
But instead he lifted, scoring a super solo try and setting up another for Alex Johnson to put Souths back together again before they fell apart late in the game.
For Souths, Latrell's reaction to a bad error was one big plus on a disappointing night.
GOOD SIGNS FOR GIANT
The powerhouse Haumole Olakau'atu looks set for his best season yet for Manly.
After signing a long-term deal recently, Olakau'atu justified his big contract with a strong display against the fancied Souths pack.
The giant back-rower scored Manly's first try and ran for nearly 200 metres.
Criticised in the past for going missing against the stronger teams, Olakau'atu was dynamic in a great sign for the Sea Eagles in 2024.
MANLY BACKS FIRING
Manly's back five is as good as any in the comp and they really hurt Souths out wide in Vegas.
Three of the five – fullback Tom Trbojevic, speedy winger Jason Saab and centre Reuben Garrick – all ran for over 200 metres as the Sea Eagles outclassed the Rabbitohs on the edges.
It's a big plus for Manly for the season ahead – they have pace and class to burn and that will translate to many tries in the coming months.
BRONCOS 'OUT OF SORTS'
The Broncos are adamant they have buried the demons of the 2023 grand final horror show… but have they?
The team that set the NRL alight many times last season was strangely out of sorts under the bright lights of Vegas against the Roosters.
And when the got in a position to win the game at 10-14 following Reece Walsh's fine try, they never looked like going on with it.
The Broncos have lost four key players over the summer – but also looked a team lacking on confidence.
Perhaps they will find their mojo in coming weeks – they badly need a win to get the nightmare of grand final day out of their systems and get that winning feeling again.
BIG WORRY FOR WINNING ROOSTERS
The Roosters are resigned to losing Joey Manu to rugby union next season – and game one of 2024 showed what a hole he will leave in their line-up.
Arguably the game's best all-round centre, Manu toyed with the fancied Broncos backline in Vegas, scoring a try, setting up another and making two line break assists.
Yes, his departure will leave the Roosters with plenty of cash in the salary cap – but the question is, where do they find a player of Manu's quality to spend it on?
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