NRL SuperCoach Round 16: Rolling coverage of weekend action
KEEP up to date with the weekend’s SuperCoach action in our Round 16 rolling coverage. Highlights, lowlights, injuries, judiciary dramas and talking points — it’s all here.
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KEEP up to date with the weekend’s SuperCoach action in our Round 16 rolling coverage.
Highlights, lowlights, injuries, judiciary dramas and talking points — it’s all here.
Bookmark this page and keep coming back throughout the weekend so you never miss a big SuperCoach moment.
COWBOYS V SEA EAGLES
Injuries/reports:
* Brayden Wiliame (concussion) went off late in the first half and didn’t return.
* Kane Linnett (calf) was carried off early in the second half with what appeared to be a serious injury. Could this open the door for popular cheapie Javid Bowen?
* Michael Morgan (knee, round 20) was ruled out pre-game following an injury suffered in Origin II.
Talking points:
* Over 5,000 SuperCoaches sold Johnathan Thurston (74) over the past few weeks. Thurston produced a strong score, but still didn’t hit his massive break even of 122.
Highlights:
* Jason Taumalolo (112) produced his best game of the season, notching two tries in an inspired performance. His game time improved due to the injury to Linnett, which pushed Gavin Cooper to centre.
* Manly coach Trent Barrett sent a scare through SuperCoach Land this week when he admitted Tom Trbojevic (69) was playing on one leg and will be forced to go for off-season surgery. If the kid can produce performances like this when injured, imagine what he can do while fit.
* The immensely-talented Addin Fonua-Blake (82) crossed for two tries in by far the best performance of his six-game career.
Lowlights:
* Popular keeper Jake Trbojevic (44) produced well below his five game average of 70 and three game average of 83.
Final teams:
Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 14. Rory Kostjaysn 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matt Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. James Tamou 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 15. John Asiata 16. Scott Bolton 17. Ben Hannant 18. Patrick Kaufusi
Sea Eagles: 1. Brett Stewart 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Tom Trbojevic 6. Dylan Walker 4. Brayden Williame 20. Jamie Lyon 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Darcy Lussick 9. Api Koroisau 10 Martin Taupau 11. Nathan Green 12. Jamie Buhrer 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lewis Brown 15. Josh Starling 16. Addin Fonua-Blake 17. Siosia Vave
STORM V TIGERS
Injuries/reports:
* Dene Halatau (concussion) failed a test
* Nelson Asofa-Solomona (knee) had work done but was cleared to return.
* There were fears for Jesse Bromwich (calf) but he returned once the Tigers mounted a comeback.
* Cameron Munster (ankle) - pre-game
* Blake Green (calf) pre-game
Talking points:
* The pre-game withdrawal of Cameron Munster (ankle) had a huge effect on the SuperCoach weekend. Some SuperCoaches were forced to play short, many of them after VC loopholing too early. Others took advantage of the Munster injury by using him as a non-playing captain when loopholing.
* Hearts sunk for a quarter of SuperCoaches when Tohu Harris (91) was named in the halves in place of Blake Green (calf). But Harris defied the odds with a try, linebreak, try assist and linebreak assist.
* James Tedesco (58) was the second most purchased player this week and produced a freakish try (with linebreak). SuperCoaches have their fingers crossed he misses Origin selection and is available for round 18.
Highlights:
* Cameron Smith (86) keeps on keeping on, playing 80 minutes backing up from Origin. He is now the highest-scoring hooker in SuperCoach by a massive 170 points.
* Luke Brooks (80) had a blinder on the stats sheet but was taught a lesson in game management by Cooper Cronk in the dying stages.
* Young gun Felise Kaufisi (87) had a day out with two early tries, both involving linebreaks.
Lowlights:
* Popular cheapie Suliasi Vunivalu (31) failed to score a try – a very rare occasion - and has now peaked at a price rise of almost $200,000. Sell before the round 18 bye.
* Jesse Bromwich (48) battled on with a calf issue. He was the best prop in SuperCoach after eight rounds, but has averaged 58 since then and is predicted to be available for about $350,000 in round 19 … bargain.
Storm: 22 Young Tonumaipea 2 Suliasi Vunivalu 3 Cheyse Blair 4 Ryan Morgan 5 Marika Koriobete 12 Tohu Harris 7 Cooper Cronk 8 Jesse Bromwich 9 Cameron Smith (c) 10 Jordan McLean 11 Kevin Proctor 15 Felise Kaufusi 13 Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14 Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16 Kenny Bromwich 17 Ben Hampton 21 Christian Welch
It’s a double disaster for SuperCoaches, with Cameron Munster (ankle) out and Tohu Harris moving into the halves. Young Tonumaipea replaces Munster at fullback. Harris replaces Blake Green (calf) at five-eighth, with Felise Kaufusi to start in the back row and Christian Welch added to the bench.
Tigers: 1 James Tedesco 2 David Nofoaluma 3 Tim Simona 4 Kevin Naiqama 5 Jordan Rankin 6 Mitchell Moses 7 Luke Brooks 8 Aaron Woods (capt.) 13 Elijah Taylor 14 Tim Grant 11 Josh Aloiai 12 Chris Lawrence 10 Sauaso Sue. Interchange: 9 Dene Halatau 15 Ava Seumanufagai 17 Kyle Lovett 20 JJ Felise
Robbie Farah (concussion) is out. Elijah Taylor switches to hooker, with Dene Halatau (hamstring) cleared but switching to the bench. Taylor is replaced at lock by Sauaso Sue, with Tim Grant added to the starting side at prop and JJ Felise coming onto the bench.
TITANS V RAIDERS
Injuries/reports:
* Josh Hodgson and Kurt Baptiste (both concussion) failed tests and didn’t return for the Raiders.
* Eddy Pettybourne (concussion) also failed to return for the Titans.
* Titans young gun Nathan Davis (suspected broken leg) was taken to hospital with a serious leg injury.
* Titans fullback Will Zillman was cleared of a concussion but succumbed to a foot injury pre-game.
Talking points:
* SuperCoach cheapie Nathan Davis (2) went off with what appeared to be a broken leg. Best wishes to a player who has made some handy cash for SuperCaoches this year.
* BJ Leulia (40) was well-contained and had to settle for base stats (although he will see some offload updates). He will now drop to around the $435,000 mark and is an absolute steal at that price.
Highlights:
* Jarrod Croker (94) proved why he has been the most consistent centre/wing in SuperCoach over the last three years with a two-try effort.
* Twelve per cent of SuperCoaches had hearts in their mouths when Ryan James (93) went for a concussion test. He came back and scored a late try to keep his five-game average just under the century mark.
Lowlights:
* No attacking stats for BJ Leilua generally means no attacking stats for partner in crime Jordan Rapana (25).
* Josh Hodgson (47) appeared set for a big one following an early try assist, but was forced from the field to due concussion.
Titans: 3 Josh Hoffman 2 Anthony Don 12 Chris McQueen 4 Nathan Davis 5 Nene Macdonald 6 Tyrone Roberts 7 Ash Taylor 8 Luke Douglas 9 Nathan Peats 10 Ryan James 11 Zeb Taia 15 Leivaha Pulu 13 Greg Bird. Interchange: 14 Eddy Pettybourne 16 Agnatius Paasi 17 Nathan Friend 18 Ryan Simpkins
William Zillman is out. He was cleared of a concussion but succumbed to a foot injury. Josh Hoffman switches to fullback, with Chris McQueen moving to centre, Leivaha Pulu promoted from the bench into the starting back row and Ryan Simpkins added to the interchange.
Raiders: 1 Jack Wighton 2 Brenko Lee 3 Jarrod Croker 4 Joey Leilua 5 Jordan Rapana 6 Blake Austin 7 Aidan Sezer 16 Paul Vaughan 9 Josh Hodgson 10 Shannon Boyd 11 Josh Papalii 12 Elliott Whitehead 15 Sia Soliola. Interchange: 8 Junior Paulo 13 Luke Bateman 14 Kurt Baptiste 17 Joe Tapine
Paul Vaughan comes into the starting side, with Junior Paulo shifting to the bench. Sia Soliola will start at lock, with Luke Bateman moving to the bench. 18th man Shaun Fensom drops off the bench.
BULLDOGS V BRONCOS
Injuries/reports:
* Broncos centre Tom Opacic had a debut he’d rather forget, sitting out much of the match after injuring his foot.
* Matt Gillett left the field midway through the second half with an eye injury.
Talking points:
* Brett Morris (87) made his long-awaited return to the NRL after knee surgery and made a big impact in his first match this year. Taking the place of his brother Josh, he scored a hat-trick and 21 points from hit-ups.
* Big Sam Kasiano (91) claimed Perfect 8 honours before the updates thanks to two barnstorming tries and the accompanying linebreaks. Who would’ve thought?
Highlights:
* Bulldogs halfback Moses Mbye’s (87) rollercoaster season continues and he hit another high against the Broncos for his 16,975 owners. He was back to his sure-footed best, scoring three try assists, 12 points from forced dropouts, 10 from linebreaks and eight from linebreak assists.
* After some ordinary (and injury-hit) SuperCoach scores, hulking Broncos winger Corey Oates (65) made a move back in the right direction for his 27,178 owners. Oates, who made his Queensland Origin debut this year, crossed for a try, made 20 points from linebreaks and eight from tackle busts against the Bulldogs.
* The 44,360 coaches who have picked up workhorse James Graham (67) as a keeper can rest easy in the knowledge he will be among the top SuperCoach forwards come the end of the year. The bulldozing Bulldog’s haul included 32 tackles, six points in tackles busts and 30 points in hit-ups. And you could also do worse that his front-row mate Aiden Tolman, whose 80-point match included 39 tackles and 39 points from hit-ups.
Lowlights:
* After a stunning start to the SuperCoach year, poor scores are becoming more prevalent than the good ones for Broncos pivot Anthony Milford (24 including a try). We know when he goes big, he can go very big, but his five-round average is now below 65. While it may be a POD option not to own him it would take a brave SuperCoach to sell and you would expect that when the Broncos form improves so will Milf’s scoring.
* After the announcement that the Buldogs wouldn’t play another Sunday in the regular season the 6,779 owners of classy Bulldogs fullback Will Hopoate (34) were thanking their lucky stars. However, he’ll need to do a bit more than eight points in tackle busts and 22 in hit-ups to keep his place in teams.
Final teams:
Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate 2 Curtis Rona 23 Brett Morris 4 Kerrod Holland 5 Sam Perrett 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Moses Mbye 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Michael Lichaa 10 James Graham (c) 11 Josh Jackson 20 Asipeli Fine 13 David Klemmer Interchange: 14 Sam Kasiano 15 Tony Williams 16 Danny Fualalo 17 Craig Garvey
Two late changes, with Brett Morris returning from injury, replacing brother Josh Morris in the backline. Asipeli Fine starts in the back row for Raymond Faitala-Mariner. Lloyd Perrett drops off the extended bench named on Tuesday.
Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd 2 Corey Oates 3 Tom Opacic 4 James Roberts 5. Greg Eden 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh McGuire 9. Travis Waddell 10. Jarrod Wallace 14. Jaydn Su’A 12. Matt Gillett 13. Corey Parker (c) Interchange: 15. Tevita Pangai Jnr 16. Adam Blair 17. Kodi Nikorima 18. Herman Ese’ese
SuperCoach cheapie Jaydn Su’A starts in the second row in place of suspended Queensland Origin player Sam Thaiday. Brisbane’s other Origin stars will all play while Herman Ese’ese takes the final bench spot.
SHARKS V WARRIORS
Injuries/reports:
* Andrew Fifita left the field early in the second half after hitting his head on the ground in a tackle. He passed the concussion test and came back on the field.
* Sharks winger Valentine Holmes left the field midway through the second half and did not return.
* There’s was some early concerns over Jack Bird’s right shoulder but he played on.
Talking points:
* Concern over Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson’s quad injury caused a major reshuffle to the Kiwi team. Popular recent trade-in target Tuimoala Lolohea was moved to the bench as possible cover for Johnson, replaced by winger David Fusitu’a at fullback. Jonathan Wright went to the wing. SuperCoaches face a tough call on Johnson, who played the full 80-odd minutes but was a little down on SuperCoach output, scoring 57 points, including a try assist. He was clearly restricted by his injury, with Issac Luke taking the goal kicking duties and a more prominent in-play kicking role.
* Cronulla’s Origin representatives Jack Bird, James Maloney, Andrew Fifita and Paul Gallen all took their place in the Sharks line-up.
Highlights:
* The forgotten man of SuperCoach, Warriors forward Bodene Thompson (76) continues to push for a spot in SuperCoach teams for the run home. Owned by only 3% of teams, Thompson built on his recent strong form (five-round average of 73) with another pearler. His haul included 43 tackles, 12 points in tackle busts and eight in linebreak assists.
* Those coaches who picked up SuperCoach stalwart Simon Mannering for his bargain basement price a couple of rounds ago should be patting themselves on the back. The Kiwi forward’s 76 points included a whopping 67 tackles and 14 points from hit-ups.
* Cronulla’s Origin forwards Paul Gallen (61) and Andrew Fifita (71) both had solid matches after backing up for their NRL club. Fifita in particular continued on his winning way, with 20 tackles, 8 points from tackles busts, 31 from hit-ups and 12 from offloads before the updates. And all this despite leaving the field for a concussion test.
* Sharks hooker Michael Ennis(87) posted his highest SC score this year on the back of a try, a try assist and 42 tackles.
Lowlights:
* Warriors livewire Tuimoala Lolohea (8) languished on the bench for much of the match as cover for Johnson. The Kiwis bought him onto the right wing with 17 minutes to play but he could only manage two tackles, an offload and four points from hit-ups. If he continues in that role he’s obviously a sell, despite his big-point potential.
* Ben Barba’s recent form is a concern for his 41,000 owners. The Sharks fullback had been flying but his 24-point effort against the Warriors was on the back of 28 points in Round 14, easily his two lowest scores of the year. Although he did have a try disallowed.
Final teams:
Sharks: 1 Ben Barba 14 Ricky Leutele 3 Jack Bird 4 Gerard Beale 5 Valentine Holmes 6 James Maloney 7 Chad Townsend 8 Andrew Fifita 9 Michael Ennis 16 Matt Prior 11 Luke Lewis 12 Wade Graham 13 Paul Gallen Interchange 10 Sam Tagataese 15 Chris Heighington 17 Jayson Bukuya 18 Joseph Paulo
Cronulla’s Origin representatives Jack Bird, James Maloney, Andrew Fifita and Paul Gallen will all take their place in the Sharks line-up. Injured winger Sosaia Feki has been replaced by Ricky Leutele from the team named on Tuesday. Matt Prior will start the match, pushing Sam Tagataese to the bench while Joseph Paulo will start from the bench.
Warriors: 2 David Fusitu’a 21 Jonathan Wright 3 Blake Ayshford 4 Solomone Kata 5 Ken Maumalo 6 Thomas Leuluai 7 Shaun Johnson 8 Jacob Lillyman 9 Issac Luke 10 Albert Vete 11 Bodene Thompson 12 Ryan Hoffman (c) 13 Simon Mannering Interchange 1 Tuimoala Lolohea 15 Sam Lisone 16 Ben Matulino 17 Charlie Gubb
In a blow for many SuperCoaches, Tui Lolohea has been named on the bench, replaced by David Fusitu’a at fullback. Jonathan Wright goes to the wing, with Nathaniel Roache, Ata Hingano and Toafofoa Sipley dropping out of the side named on Tuesday.
KNIGHTS V DRAGONS
Injuries/reports:
* Knight’s forward Mitch Barnett left the field for a concussion test but came back early in the second half.
* Jacob Host hurt his shoulder in a tackle midway through the first half but played on.
* Josh Dugan was slow to get up from a tackle late in the first half but played on.
* Nathan Ross was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul with a couple of minutes left in the match.
Talking points:
* SuperCoaches with a few Dragons in their squad had eyes as big as dinner plates at the thought of the points on offer against the Knights — and they weren’t disappointed, with seven Dragons scoring over 60.
* Dragon’s lock Tyson Frizell (34) backed up from a strong Origin debut and after a will he/won’t he week, Dragons fullback Josh Dugan (48) won the fitness race to take his place at fullback and lift the moods of 8212 SuperCoaches with a solid return.
* In contrast 17,358 were left scrambling for numbers during the tricky Round 16 after Pauli Pauli was left out of the Knights side.
Highlights:
* Benji Marshall (119) found the keys to the time machine, enjoying his best match of the season. Those 3265 SuperCoaches who inexplicably own the Dragons playmaker received an unexpected and significant boost to there scores. Marshall wound back the clock and defied his five-round average of 36 to score a try, two try assists, six points from tackle busts, and an incredible 32 points from linebreak assists.
* Those coaches who bought Euan Aitken (104) to cash in on the Dragons’ good bye coverage were licking their lips of the prospect of him attacking the Knights’ weak left edge this week. And he didn’t disappoint. The borderline CTW keeper added to his usual solid base stats with a try, a try assist, 12 points from tackle busts and 20 from line breaks. Many, however, were expecting something even better after he’d had hit 70 points by the 15-minute mark.
Lowlights:
* Those SuperCoaches who have rolled the dice on forward POD Tyson Frizell were fist-pumping after the news he would back up from a strong Origin debut to start at lock for the Dragons. Their joy was tempered at his 34 points from just 40 minutes of game time.
* Those looking at Dragons forward Jack De Belin (42) as a potential POD for the run home might be starting to shift their focus elsewhere. His minutes have been significantly lower since his return from injury and he again came off the bench to play just 49 minutes.
Final teams:
Knights: Dane Gagai 2 Nathan Ross 3 Sione Mata’utia 4 Peter Mata’utia 5 Brendan Elliot 6 Jack Cogger 7 Trent Hodkinson (c) 8 Sam Mataora 9 Danny Levi 10 Korbin Sims 11 Jacob Saifiti 12 Mitchell Barnett 13 Jeremy Smith (c). Interchange: 14 Tyler Randell 15 Robbie Rochow 16 Daniel Saifiti 17 Mickey Paea.
1-17 from Tuesday, Dane Gagai backing up after his Origin hat-trick and Robbie Rochow and Peter Matautia returning from injury. Pauli Pauli, Josh King and Chanel Mata’utia all dropping off an extended interchange.
Dragons: 19 Josh Dugan 2 Kalifa Faifai Loa 3 Euan Aitken 4 Tim Lafai 1 Jason Nightingale 6 Gareth Widdop (c) 7 Benji Marshall 8 Leeson Ah Mau 9 Mitch Rein 10 Russell Packer 11 Jacob Host 12 Joel Thompson 21 Tyson Frizell Interchange: 14 Jack de Belin 15 Will Matthews 16 Dunamis Lui 17 Jake Marketo
In a boost for SuperCoaches and the Dragons, Tyson Frizell will back up from State of Origin II starting at lock and Josh Dugan returns after elbow surgery to start at fullback. Jason Nightingale moves to the wing, with Kurt Mann and Mike Cooper dropping out of the 17.
PANTHERS V RABBITOHS
Injuries/reports:
* No major injuries
* John Sutton did cop another hit to the face after breaking his nose last week.
* Aaron Gray suffered a cut to the head.
Talking points:
* SuperCoaches who VC’d Bryce Cartwright or Sam Burgess are set to be handsomely rewarded.
* Burgess posted 99 points on the back of an inspired performance in the second half. He scored two tries, made 31 tackles and 28 points from hit-ups over eight metres.
* The CartyParty was in full swing (102 points) as the Bunnies struggled to contain him when he had the ball in hand. Cartwright orchestrated three tries, made a line break, two line break assists and five offloads.
* Cheapie of the week, Nathan Cleary(60 points) showed his pedigree as a future halves star. The youngster scored a try and made 16 points from goals.
Highlights:
* Trent Merrin is firming as even more of a priority as a final 17 player after he posted an impressive 90 points. Merrin played 80 minutes where he made 43 tackles, a tackle bust, three offloads an 36 points from hit-ups over eight metres.
* Early season cheapie Cody Walker (76 points) keeps on repaying the faith his owners have showed in him. Walker setup a try, made four tackle busts, one linebreak and 20 points from goals.
* Greg Inglis (75 points) showed glimpses of the brilliance he is capable of. He scored a try, made five tackle busts and a linebreak.
Lowlights:
* Potential POD, Tyrone Peachey had a quiet game and would have disappointed his owners with 33 points — considering he went into the match with a five-game average of 76. The only attacking stats registered were two tackle busts.
Aaron Gray was missing in action out on the edge for the Rabbitohs and finished with a low 15 points.
Final Teams:
Panthers: 1 Matt Moylan 2 Josh Mansour 3 Waqa Blake 4 Tyrone Peachey 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6 Bryce Cartwright 7 Nathan Cleary 8 Leilani Latu 9 Peter Wallace 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11 Isaah Yeo 12 Trent Merrin 13 Suaia Matagi. Interchange: 14 Sitaleki Akauola 15 Jeremy Latimore 16 Chris Grevsmuhl 20. James Fisher-Harris
James Fisher-Harris earned a spot on the bench with Moses Leota missing out.
Rabbitohs: 2. Alex Johnston 4. Aaron Gray 19. Ed Murphy 3. Greg Inglis 20. Joe Burgess
1. Cody Walker 7. Luke Keary 8 Thomas Burgess 9 Cameron McInnes 10 Nathan Brown 11 John Sutton 12. Kyle Turner 13. Sam Burgess Interchange: 5. Tautalatasi Tasi 14. Jason Clark 15. Patrice Siolo 17. David Tyrrell
Alex Johnston moves to fullback with Cody Walker partnering Luke Keary in the halves. Aaron Gray moves out to the wing with Ed Murphy and Greg Inglis in the centres. Tautalatasi Tasi drop to the bench with new signing Joe Burgess starting on the left wing ahead of him. Jack Gosiewski drop from the side.
Originally published as NRL SuperCoach Round 16: Rolling coverage of weekend action
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