The Rohan Smith era resumed at Norths on a familiar note as the Devils overcame a late arrival to open their Hostplus Cup season with a polished 44-8 win over Western Clydesdales in Toowoomba on Saturday.
Smith has a perfect record in the first round as Devils coach.
His teams have won all six matches, starting in 2018 when a rebuilt Norths overcame the Tweed Seagulls and their future Queensland representatives AJ Brimson and Moeaki Fotuaika.
While he has started six years as Devils coach, Smith has only completed three full seasons because of the Covid pandemic and a stint with the Leeds Rhinos highlighted by a Super League grand final appearance.
Smith last coached the Devils in Round 5 of the 2022 season after Norths began their premiership defence in Townsville.
They recorded a scorching 38-14 win that day despite scrambling to the ground after a late plane flight left them with little time to prepare.
The Devils were held up last Saturday by a clogged highway following a traffic incident and did not arrive at Toowoomba Sports Ground until one hour before the scheduled kick-off.
But the 2024 premiers surged into the new season with the first of nine tries scored three minutes into the match.
That came from captain Kierran Moseley’s short dummy-half pass to veteran NRL forward Kenny Bromwich whose hot-potato shuffle allowed new Devils winger LJ Nonu to score in the corner.
Nonu scored three tries including a gem in the 68th minute when Bromwich’s short kick bounced perfectly for him.
Bromwich played almost 60 minutes, enjoying the outing alongside Dolphins NRL teammates Sean O’Sullivan and Mason Teague who helped keep the Devils rolling against the gritty Clydesdales.
The Devils flashed their strike power throughout the match, with Moseley directing a team that featured six club debutants and the return of premiership Devils Matthew Milson and Jerome Veve.
Bromwich, Nonu, five-eighth Ben Stevanovic and second-rower Jackson Shereb played their first game for Norths along with former Devils juniors Lauloto Salei and Lachlan Lewis.
The debutants combined for five tries in a performance that pleased Smith.
“The players had a setback getting to the ground late but they rolled with it,” Smith said.
“And the Clydesdales were tough. They never stopped trying and they really tested us.
“It was a good starting performance but we know we have a long road ahead.”
Centre Jacob Gagan, who featured in the Devils’ premiership teams in 2021, 2022 and 2024, scored two tries, while last year’s Hostplus Cup leading try scorer Manase Kaho grabbed his first for the season.
Stevanovic enjoyed his debut for Norths, while dangerous back Jordan Lipp moved well against his former team.
Devils leaders James Flack and Sam Elliott showed their versatility in different roles while Justin Makirere was back in a Norths jersey after a stint at Ipswich Jets.
Norths play their second match of the season on the road against Souths Logan Magpies on Saturday night.
NORTHS DEVILS 44 (LJ Nonu 3, Jacob Gagan 2, Mason Teague, Manase Kaho, Jackson Shereb, Ben Stevanovic tries, Stevanovic 4 goals) bt WESTERN CLYDESDALES 8 (Joseph Litidamu 2 tries) at Toowoomba Sports Ground.
