The NRL may only be entering into Round 3 this week, but several playmakers have pushed their case for first-grade selection with some stellar performances in the NSW Cup and QLD Cup competitions over the weekend.

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The Knights were dealt a $2.7 million double injury blow on Sunday, but could a demoted veteran find his way back into the NRL side?

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Meanwhile, two young rookie playmakers from the New Zealand Warriors have shone in their memorable win over the Raiders.

All of that and more in the latest edition of Reserve Grade Wrap.

ALL EYES WERE ON…

Tyson Gamble couldn’t have had a better performance at the right time in NSW Cup last weekend.

Before it was confirmed that Dylan Brown (MCL) and Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) will spend several weeks on the sidelines with injury, Gamble starred for the club’s reserve grade side and is bound to come into NRL contention over the next few weeks.

Playing at five-eight alongside rookie Matthew Hunter in the halves, Gamble had four try assists and three line-break assists as the Knights powered to a 22-point win against the Sea Eagles.

While Fletcher Sharpe and Sandon Smith are likely to be the new halves pairing, Gamble could come into consideration if coach Justin Holbrook decides to move Sharpe to the fullback role.

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Across the ditch, the halves pairing of Luke Hanson and Jett Cleary carved up for the New Zealand Warriors in their 44-12 victory over the Raiders.

Providing three try assists and two line-break assists to go with one line-break, Hanson is set to come into consideration to accompany Tanah Boyd in the halves this week due to injuries to Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin.

Meanwhile, Jett – the younger brother of Nathan Cleary – continues to impress in the lower grades, this time with two line-breaks and a try to his name.

Joseph O’Neill was on fire for the Dragons in just his second match for the club since making the switch from the Bulldogs and could come into consideration for Shane Flanagan if Daniel Atkinson or Kyle Flanagan are unable to take the field this round due to ankle injuries.

The half scored three tries, made one line-break and provided one line-break assist to go with 102 running metres and 152 kicking metres.

Jett Cleary is inching closer to an NRL debut.Source: Getty Images

NSW CUP STANDOUTS

Former NRL players Ammaron Gudgeon and Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega ran for over 200 running metres each in the North Sydney Bears’ ten-point victory over the Magpies

However, the real impressive player of the match came from the opposite team, with Charlie Murray making 112 metres and 41 tackles in under 60 minutes on the field as he continues to impress Tigers head coach Benji Marshall.

Melbourne Storm winger Luke Cesari scored three tries in their 16-point loss to the Dragons, while back-rower Shawn Blore only lasted 30 seconds on the field before going down with a lower-leg injury.

However, it is understood that it is not as serious as first thought and is likely to appear in the Storm’s next NSW Cup match.

Billy Scott continued to showcase while he is the long-term No.9 of the Panthers with 47 tackles and really controlled the ruck for the club in the middle of the field.

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But they ended up falling to the Newtown Jets by 22 points, with overlooked playmaker Niwhai Puru providing three line-break assists and two try assists and recruit Jaxon Lavender crossing over the line for a try.

As Alex Johnston crossed over the line for his record-breaking try against the Roosters, it was a Tricolours winger who impressed in the NSW Cup match between the two foundation clubs.

On the cusp of first-grade, Tom Rodwell has 216 running metres, two line-breaks and a try, while his younger brother Toby Rodwell and Reece Foley were standouts in the halves.

The Under-19s NSW Blues representative had two try assists while Foley crossed the line twice as well as one line-break and one try assist as they defeated their arch-rivals, 30-18.

Will the Sharks call upon Niwhai Puru?Source: Getty Images

QLD CUP STANDOUTS

Josh Patston continues to put pressure on the Gold Coast Titans forward with another strong performance for the Ipswich Jets.

The back-rower had 177 running metres, nine tackle busts, one line-break, one try-assist and 25 tackles despite the Jets falling to the Sunshine Coast Falcons by 12 points.

Playing for the Brisbane Tigers (a feeder club of the Perth Bears, who will enter the NRL in 2027), the halves pairing of Jarrett Subloo and Tahj Wood combined for five line-break assists and five try assists as the side put 36 points on the Central Queensland Capras.

Jaxson Paulo and Ronald Philitoga both crossed for a double for the Northern Pride with the latter adding 216 running metres and four tackle busts to his name.

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Linked with a move to the Super League, fullback Ben Farr continued his strong form for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with two tries, three line-breaks and three line-break assists.

Meanwhile, Ben Te Kura played 50 minutes off the bench as he furthers his development and front-rower Joshua Coric had over 200 running metres playing in the middle of the field.

Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea and Matthew Milson both crossed over the line for hat-tricks for their respective sides – Souths Logan Magpies and the Norths Devils.