NRL SuperCoach 2019: Trent Copeland’s captaincy analysis Round 13
Resident SuperCoach stats nerd Trent Copeland explores the best match-ups, form and even sometimes gut feel to find you the best skippers for Round 13.
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A tribute to LOLO, Jason Taumalolo that is…
In the first of two huge bye rounds, the man at number one on Copes’ Captains last week, and skippered by 30% per cent of teams duly delivered a monster 138 points!
We often take for granted these star players doing their thing week-in, week-out, but that could be the single most important points haul of the season - 264 points from one (superhuman) man is worth three extra players. Incredible.
Each week I will delve into the stats that stick out, the best matchups, form and even sometimes a gut feel to find you the best skippers of the week.
Round 13 presents plenty of unknowns with Origin backups, injuries and late mail affecting captains. So make sure you are across all of that! Without further ado…
VC OPTIONS
Damien Cook HOK (Rabbitohs) vs. Knights
It was questionable that Cook would even play in this match given it is only about 40 hours after playing the full 80 minutes of Origin 1. But, when the best player in SuperCoach walks on to the field you have to take him seriously, normally as a straight up skipper - but in this instance he will likely play reduced minutes so the VC is more pertinent. A Ponga and Klemmer-less Knights is not the formidable opposition many think, so jumping on Cook who averages 86.8PPG this season and 63.6PPG against the Knights in his career when everyone else may be looking elsewhere could be a masterstroke.
John Bateman CTW | 2RF (Raiders) vs. Tigers
What a man, the English superstar making his return from a broken jaw multiple weeks early than the expected timetable to cover round 12, playing the full 80 minutes on an edge and scoring a crucial try for 79 points. The season long average sits at 69.4PPG and we are hearing that he may shift back to his preferred lock role this week where the base stats go through the roof (above 50 points). If you’re jumping on Bateman this week, then why not treat yourself to a double serving.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck FLB (Warriors) vs. Storm
The reigning Dally M medalist is absolutely killing it once again this season, averaging an incredible 74.6PPG and notably eight of his 10 scores this season have been above 61 points - just ridiculous consistency from a fullback. Given RTS is one of the best scorers in the game, playing at home at Mt. Smart Stadium you would think he would be a lock for the straight captain, but, the matchup against the Storm is a real deterrent. The Storm concede the LEAST, yes 16th in the NRL, SuperCoach points to fullbacks - in fact they are 16th in the NRL for points conceded to hooker, halfback, five-eighth, centre AND fullback. Yuck. But if anyone can still score well it’s this guy, which is why he is a lock for VC if you own him.
Other options… Esan Marsters, Ryan Matterson, Briton Nikora, Charnze Nicoll-
Klokstad
COPES’ CAPTAINS
Andrew Fifita FRF (Sharks) vs. Eels
Fifita is well rested with no Origin commitments, has a fantastic matchup with the Eels at home at Shark Park - which has been an incredibly fast track for points in recent times - along with the fact that he’s simply a monster when it comes to SuperCoach. Look just two weeks back and Fifita scored 100 points without a try or try assist - it’s the 23 tackles, 10 points in tackle busts, THIRTY SIX points in offloads and 31 points in hit ups. Against a vulnerable middle third of the Eels, Fifita is my best POD-option as skipper this week.
Cameron Smith HOK (Storm) vs. Warriors
It’s rare that the weekend immediately following Origin we can say… “Cameron Smith is going to be fully rested, carrying no niggles and is raring to go” with the GOAT hooker now retired (depending on who you ask!). Smith gets a matchup with the Warriors away from home, a team he has played 23 times in his career for an average of 64.1PPG with a high score of 127 points. Back in round seven this season, Smith scored 84 points against the Warriors including a try assist, 41 tackles, two forced dropouts and an offload - without the goal kicking duties. So much upside there if you’re backing the Storm to win.
Jason Taumalolo 2RF (Cowboys) vs. Sea Eagles
I mean, how could we not? Scores of 94, 93 and most recently 138 points the past three weeks… Huge. In fact if you take out his injury affected game, Lolo has scores of 99, 85, 72, 94, 93 and 138 points - an average of 96.8PPG. That is just flat out ridiculous. With Josh McGuire backing up from Origin, you would expect Lolo to again play close to if not the full 80 minutes, almost guaranteeing an 80+ point score. The perfect captain option in a week with so much uncertainty.
Other options… Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco, James Fisher-Harris, Sio Siua
Taukeiaho
Good luck everyone, may the Orange Armband fall on the right man this week!
Originally published as NRL SuperCoach 2019: Trent Copeland’s captaincy analysis Round 13
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