NRL SuperCoach wrap round 8: David Armstrong could be a must-have cheapie but don’t rush in

Do NRL SuperCoaches have a new must-have cheapie? It’s close but not quite yet. Check out our full wrap of weekend action and looming best buys.

This is a tough round to sum up but I’ll try in one word - random.

So with that done I’ll also try to sum it up in a very long sentence that may not make it past the sub editor.

High scores galore including Nicho Hynes not only raising the bat but going on for 150, Kalyn Ponga’s replacement David Armstrong killing it on debut and emerging as a cheapie for next week, a host of early-season cheapies failing and now ready for sale, an Api Koroisai back injury, Reece Walsh scare, Cameron Munster finally shaking up a very flat five-eighth position, Addin Fonua-Blake and David Fifita fighting it out for forward supremacy, Payne Haas saying hi, and Terrell May again proving Trent Robinson hates SuperCoach.

CHEAPIES

* David Armstrong (68): Do we have our new must-have cheapie? Close but not quite yet. Named in place of Ponga at fullback and on debut, Armstrong looked dangerous with every touch and will be very popular in coming rounds. Plenty will get on this coming week but it’s wise to wait another round and get him for the same price.

* Jacob Gagai (88): Creating plenty of buzz and fair enough given he has now set up a projected price rise of around $100K. The brother of Dane has scored three tries in two games this year. The likely suspension of Taane Milne for 2-3 games helps the job security of Gagai, but here comes the biggest issue. Alex Johnston (hamstring) and Latrell Mitchell (suspension) are due back in round 10 so this may just be a one-week sugar hit.

* Ethan Sanders (59): It was a debut to remember, despite the result, but it’s important to look at the facts here. The Eels have the bye in the coming week. Then Sanders likely gets another game in round 10 and again in round 11. This means just one price rise before Mitchell Moses (foot) returns in round 12. Definitely a guy to keep an eye on but don’t jump the gun, and the HFB-only positioning is not ideal.

David Armstrong (No.1) scores on debut. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

CHEAPIES TO SELL

The rookie Raiders look directionless without Jamal Fogarty and it’s showing in the stats. SuperCoaches no doubt can’t wait to offload these players (most from the Raiders but also a few early-season buys starting to leak cash):

* Xavier Savage (37): With a BE of 76, expect a serious drop in price.

* Danny Levi (39): Bombed a try, looked gassed, and didn’t come back on the field. His time as an NRL starter could be over. Didn’t get close to his BE of 61 and will start leaking cash.

* James Schiller (34): Price will stay steady given the BE of 43 but he’s done his job for SuperCoaches by making $230K.

* Ethan Strange (22): Looked a borderline keeper at stages this year but it’s hard to see him producing now he needs to organise the side while Fogarty is out. Will leak cash for the first time after failing to hit his BE of 51, but a big thanks for the $270K.

* Simi Sasagi (35): Made some decent cash in this game given the BE of -40. But it likely won’t last long given the seven missed tackles, while Elliott Whitehead is due back next week.

* Jack Bostock (25) - Back to earth after his big ton but still made us plenty of cash. He’s ripe for sale.

* Joey Lussick (27): Played just the 53 minutes and that has owners nervous.

* Kyle Flanagan (15): Rough day at the office for the 10 per cent of SuperCoaches who still have Flanno.

Ethan Strange could be a sell. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

INJURY WATCH

* Api Koroisau (36): Another tough day for Koroisau owners with the hooker only scoring 36 points before he was taken off with injury. He’s now had back-to-back scores of 36, which might see coaches trade him. Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is hopeful Koroisau will play next week. “He has got a pretty sore back, just a bit of nerve pain and damage but Api thinks he is going to be okay for next week,” Marshall said. “He just had a sore back and it tightened up. Once your back goes it’s hard to play.”

* Reece Walsh (74): The most popular buy of the round scored twice and ran for 168 metres but sent a massive scare due to cramp and a few chunders. Thankfully he looks set to play next week. “I’m not too sure what happened,” Walsh said. “I had a sore leg and then my guts started going. I couldn’t even move there at one point, I was cramping up, so I might need to talk to the dietitian and see what he has to say.”

JUDICIARY WATCH

* Haumole Olakau’atu (69) and Daly Cherry-Evans (77): Both facing two-game bans after they were charged with dangerous throws. Olakau’atu has been particularly productive in SuperCoach this year and the news comes as a blow for 15 per cent.

Nicho Hynes was on fire against the Raiders.

WINNERS

* Nicho Hynes (157): Well-and-truly back in form. Second ton in a row - a 157 point whopper - and this time as most popular captain at 21 per cent.

* Kayal Iro (64): Missed the big attacking stats but you’ll take this base-laden score from a cheapie any day. Will boost his price rises to the $160K mark when lockout opens on Monday.

* Cameron Munster (142): Munster has clearly been playing injured for the whole season so far, but he is back to his best. Was left hobbling after a shocking tackle from Milne in the dying minutes of the game, so hopefully he has avoided injury. At just 4.2 per cent ownership, expect many SuperCoaches to pick him up next week ahead of a juicy matchup against the Titans.

* Addin Fonua-Blake (125): One of the form front rowers of the competition, Fonua-Blake has emerged as one of the Warriors key attacking weapons, and his ability to find the try line sets him apart from his fellow props. Already in 31.4% of teams, you’ll need him in your final 17, the only question is when to jump on.

* David Fifita (121): Speaking of SuperCoach must haves, the Titans star is building a case to as the buy of the week, despite his heavy price tag and bizarre usage. Starting off the bench for Des Hasler, Fifita is scoring points at will despite his inconsistent minutes.

* Angus Crichton (103): One of the most popular purchases last week, Crichton rewarded SuperCoaches with a ton.

* Shaun Johnson (92): SuperCoaches were sweating on the Warriors halfback as he battled an Achilles injury, but Johnson played through the pain seamlessly. Due for a rest soon though.

* Reuben Garrick (138): His finish to the game saw him post a monster score. His breakeven was 149 coming into tonight and he went awfully close to hitting it.

* Brian To’o (101): Game 100 was one to remember for the Penrith winger who was the only player on Super Saturday to score more than 100 points. He scored a try and also had an incredible 17 tackle busts.

* Payne Haas (78): His highest score of the season and his second half was a good sign he might be heading towards his best in SuperCoach. Scored 53 points in the second half. Haas might not be worth the price tag just yet but another solid week could see him become an option, pending your goals over the byes.

* Dylan Edwards (90): Continues to be one of the leading players in SuperCoach. His score of 90 was his fourth on or over that mark this year. Those who backed out due to pre-game “hamstring tightness” will no doubt be disappointed.

LOSERS

* Terrell May (24): After starring early in the season, it is officially time for SuperCoaches to move on from the fifth most owned player, after playing just 30 minutes. With Spencer Leniu’s return on the horizon his minutes look set to remain low for the foreseeable future.

* Tom Trbojevic (55): Has Turbo lost his zip? It’s a serious question after scoring 55 points including a try. It’s not a disaster, but we’ve come to expect more, especially at Brookie.

* Nathan Cleary (50): It might be his first game back but Cleary was rusty and it impacted his SuperCoach score. He lost 10 points with missed tackles, penalties and errors.

* Luke Brooks (37): After a hot start to the season his SC scores have started to bottom out. Time to sell if you didn’t already go to Cleary last week.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach wrap round 8: David Armstrong could be a must-have cheapie but don’t rush in