Monday Buzz: Highlights and lowlights from the weekend’s opening 2021 NRL action

James Tedesco reminds the rugby league world of his prodigious talents, while there was a real round one ratings boost for the NRL. It’s all in MONDAY BUZZ.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: James Tedesco of the Roosters is tackled Curtis Sironen of the Sea Eagles during the round one NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Manly Sea Eagles at the Sydney Cricket Ground, on March 13, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Phil Rothfield has all the NRL gossip as the 2021 season kicks off. Here’s Buzz’s weekend highlights and lowlights.

HIGHLIGHT

James Tedesco’s slashing three-try performance at the SCG would have done Changa Langlands proud. Many of us thought Ryan Papenhuyzen was about to challenge the Roosters superstar as the world’s best fullback. Many of us thought Teddy had been overtaken by Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary as the world’s best player. And then he produces this absolute masterclass.

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Enough is enough, Choc!

LOWLIGHT

Boxing officials and combat sport authorities should be ashamed of themselves for allowing Anthony Mundine to step into the ring against Michael Zerafa in Bendigo on Saturday night in what was always going to be a dangerous mismatch.

It was such a sad sight to see a once great fighter and world champion knocked down twice before the fight was stopped just two minutes into the first round. Fights like this one do enormous damage to the credibility of Australian boxing.

REELY BIG DIFFERENCE

A tale of two hookers. Parramatta’s Reed Mahoney had seven runs for 91 metres against the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night. Manly’s Lachlan Croker had ZERO runs for ZERO metres against the Sydney Roosters.

RATINGS RECORD

The Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs kick-off on Thursday night was the highest rating round-one game in history on Fox Sports. It was also the third highest rating game since Fox Sports started broadcasting rugby league.

KNEELY GOT CAUGHT

It was a reasonably quiet first weekend of the season for the NRL match review committee although South Sydney front-rower Tevita Tatola was lucky to escape punishment for what appeared to be his knees to the back of Cameron Munster at AAMI Park.

Tevita Tatola was lucky to escape this.

CHALLENGE VICTORY

The captain’s challenge is the best rule change in rugby league in more than a decade. Going into Sunday’s games there had been eight challenges – and seven of them were upheld. It substantially reduces the odds of teams losing from a refereeing blunder.

SPOTTED

Phil Gould and Freddy Fittler enjoying each other’s company over lunch in Warriewood last week before The Mole burrowed his way into the café (owned by Freddy’s wife Maree) searching for a free meal and refused to take the hint and leave.

SPOTTED

Former indigenous star Andrew Walker in the Trumper Stand at the SCG on Saturday afternoon to watch two of his old clubs. And the great Russell Fairfax just a few rows away, enjoying the James Tedesco masterclass.

Shane Flanagan made his debut as sideline commentator this weekend.

SPOTTED

Cronulla Sharks 2016 premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan making his debut as a sideline commentator for the 2GB Continuous Call team at Penrith v the Cowboys on Saturday night.

SPOTTED

Cameron Smith loving the first official weekend of retirement, watching his daughter playing netball on Saturday morning and then his son playing rugby league for the Currumbin Eagles.

A 360 VIEW

Catch you Monday night on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent and James Hooper to discuss all the action and drama from round one of the competition.

Why Eels wouldn’t swap their skipper for anyone

There is not a better athlete in rugby league than Parramatta Eels skipper Clint Gutherson.

His performance against the Broncos on Friday night was off the charts.

Rugby league has become a survival of endurance under the new rules and the fittest players are becoming the most valuable.

While other players were walking on Friday night and struggling under fatigue, Gutherson maintained a furious pace for the entire game.

Clint Gutherson was outstanding against the Broncos.

At Parramatta they used to call lock-forward legend Ray Price Mr Perpetual Motion.

Gutherson competes with the same heart and same commitment every week.

Interestingly, coach Brad Arthur told his captain to have a long rest during the off-season after State of Origin. Just relax the body. No training.

“He came back weeks after the other boys but in his first run he blitzed everyone,” Arthur said.

“He was running and lifting personal bests.”

Like every player, Gutherson was gasping for air at stages against the Broncos.

“He said after the game that with 15 minutes to go he could hardly stand up,” Arthur said.

Gutho was told to rest in the off season and not train.

“He couldn’t feel his legs. They were gone but he was like a machine and just kept going.

“Unless you watch it on eagle cam, you don’t even get to see his off-the-ball effort.”

This competition has a number of great fullbacks … Ryan Papenhuyzen, James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kalyn Ponga.

You get the feeling Parra wouldn’t swap their man for any of them.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Highlights and lowlights from the weekend’s opening 2021 NRL action