League

NRL, today 8.45pm; Friday 9.55pm. Holden Cup, today 6.55pm. NSW Cup, tomorrow 3.05pm/ 5.10pm. NZ Premiership, tomorrow 2pm/ 4pm.

Grand finals loom and no letting up in the intensity across the grades. Brisbane and Penrith got NRL week two under way last night with the winner facing the daunting trip to AAMI Park on Friday night to meet minor premiers Melbourne. The Storm got home in a close one with the Eels who now face the unsung Cowboys tonight. North Queensland have another trip to Sydney after their heroics in snatching it late against the Sharks — the defending premiers — and will again go in as underdogs. The winner of this one heads to Allianz Stadium in Sydney next Saturday to play the Roosters. In Holden Cup games, Brisbane and Penrith also played last night while the Sharks and the Sea Eagles meet in tonight’s curtainraiser at ANZ Stadium. Still the Warriors to watch in the NSW Cup preliminary finals. After their impressive effort in thumping Newcastle 30- 6, they are at Leichhardt Oval in tomorrow’s early game to play the Wyong Roos who headed the Warriors in claiming that minor premiership. The winner of this one will face the winner of the late game between the Panthers ( who finished third) and the Dogs ( fourth) in the final. The New Zealand national premiership kicks- off tomorrow with two games.