Stat Attack: The halves and halve-nots

Round one produced some truly impressive performances from the playmakers in the victorious teams, and many of those were among the high-profile off-season signings.

According to pan66.com Stats, playmakers from the winning teams dominated in some key statistical areas and show where their unsuccessful counterparts from round one need to improve.

Two of the most impressive teams of the opening round – the Dragons and Cowboys – had a halfback who commanded the ball, while Newcastle's Mitchell Pearce (admittedly boosted by an extra nine minutes of play) had the most touches of any half in helping his team to a golden-point win.

The Titans and their chief playmaker Ash Taylor haven't dominated the post round-one wash-up but the young Queenslander's efforts in guiding his side back from the brink at 24-6 down (and 28-24 down with two minutes to play) should not go unnoticed given he finished with not just a mountain of touches but the most try assists of any player in round one.