NRL SuperCoach Round 22: Rolling coverage of weekend action
KEEP up to date with the weekend’s SuperCoach action. Highlights, lowlights, injuries, judiciary dramas and talking points — it’s all here.
KEEP up to date with the weekend’s SuperCoach action in our weekend 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.
TIGERS V COWBOYS
Injuries:
* Ben Hannant (leg) came off with what appeared to be a serious injury.
* Elijah Taylor (concussion) failed a test.
Talking points:
* Johnathan Thurston (58) was a late inclusion from a hamstring injury and was heavily marked by the inspired Tigers defence. He saved his score with a 77th minute try assist (with linebreak assist) to set up Ethan Lowe.
* James Tedesco (71) produced 41 points in one play on the buzzer to notch a very respectable score. The Tigers fullback made the Cowboys defence look like an under 8s side as he carved through numerous tackles before touching down.
Highlights:
* Auto emergency nightmare? No chance. Javid Bowen (68) didn’t score a try but notched a great score courtesy of two linebreaks and a massive nine tackle busts.
* Ethan Lowe (82) is noted by SuperCoaches for his late season fade-outs, but he bucked the trend by scoring a late try (with linebreak) to take Perfect 8 honours.
* Former SuperCoach stud Aaron Woods (74) returned to his form of old, with the help of a try assist (with linebreak assist) where he looked every part a seasoned halfback.
Lowlights:
* Once a POD, Jake Granville (31) has averaged just 35 in the last five rounds.
* Elijah Taylor (12) went off early and didn’t return due to concussion.
Tigers: 1 James Tedesco 2 David Nofoaluma 3 Tim Simona 4 Kevin Naiqama 5 Jordan Rankin 6 Mitchell Moses 7 Jack Littlejohn 8 Aaron Woods 9 Dene Halatau 10 Sauaso Sue 11 Josh Aloiai 12 Chris Lawrence 13 Elijah Taylor. Interchange: 14 Kyle Lovett 15 Ava Seumanufagai 16 Tim Grant 17 Joel Edwards
No changes.
Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote 2 Javid Bowen 3 Justin O’Neill 4 Kane Linnett 5 Antonio Winterstein 6 Michael Morgan 7 Ray Thompson 8 Matt Scott 9 Jake Granville 10 James Tamou 11 Gavin Cooper 12 Ethan Lowe 13 Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14 Rory Kostjasyn 15 John Asiata 16 Scott Bolton 17 Ben Hannant
Johnathan Thurston (hamstring) is back, replacing Ray Thompson.
TITANS V WARRIORS
Injuries:
* Issac Luke (knee, round 26) - pre-game
* Tyrone Roberts (PCL) - pre-game
Talking points:
* Shaun Johnson (62) produced his worst game in 12 rounds, which sounds a ridiculous thing to say when he notched 62 points.
Highlights:
* POD of the year Bodene Thompson (99) had a blinder, notching a try, linebreak and seven tackle busts to add to his fantastic base of 40 tackles. And he would have nudged 130 points if not for an incredible trysaver by Jarryd Hayne.
* Ryan James was once the highest scoring player in SuperCoach this year and he showed why in a powerhouse display. James notched a try (with linebreak) on top of his base of 47 tackles and 14 runs.
* Simon Mannering (86) added a try to his customary workrate.
* Tuimoala Lolohea (63) was the ninth most purchased player this week — and he didn’t disappoint with a try assist (with linebreak assist) and two forced drop outs.
Lowlights:
* Jarryd Hayne (24) had a cracker of a game in actual NRL, but it wasn’t reflected in the SuperCoach scoring. Hayne pulled off a trysaver with his first involvement, saved another try with a knock down and could easily have had three try assists if things went his way.
Final teams:
Titans: 1 David Mead 2 Anthony Don 3 Josh Hoffman 4 Konrad Hurrell 5 Nene Macdonald 17- Cameron Cullen 6 Tyrone Roberts 7 Ash Taylor 8 Luke Douglas 9 Nathan Peats 10 Ryan James 11 Zeb Taia 12 Chris McQueen 13 Greg Bird. Interchange: 15 Leivaha Pulu 16 Agnatius Paasi 19 David Shillington 21 Jarryd Hayne
Jarryd Hayne will make his Titans debut from the bench. Elsewhere Cameron Cullen replaces the injured Tyrone Roberts at five-eighth, while David Shillington comes on to the bench for Eddy Pettybourne
Warriors: 1 Tuimoala Lolohea 2 Ken Maumalo 3 David Fusitua 4 Solomone Kata 5 Manu Vatuvei 6 Thomas Leuluai 7 Shaun Johnson 8 Jacob Lillyman 21 Jazz Tevaga 10 Albert Vete 11 Bodene Thompson 12 Ryan Hoffman 13 Simon Mannering. Interchange: 14 Nathaniel Roache 15 Sam Lisone 16 Ben Matulino 17 Bunty Afoa 18 Blake Ayshford
Jazz Tevaga replaces the injured Issac Luke at hooker. Blake Ayshford comes on to the bench with Bunty Afoa dropped.
STORM V RABBITOHS
Talking point:
* Those who captained a Melbourne player expecting a SC points bloodbath over the struggling Rabbitohs were left seething after the reborn Bunnies kept Melbourne scoreless in the first half for the first time this year.
Highlights:
* While Sam Burgess (86) didn’t get to the mammoth scores he is capable of, in a low SuperCoach points scoring match he was more than serviceable. He took Perfect 8 honours pre updates on the back of 48 tackles, a linebreak assist and 28 points from hit-ups.
* Despite a slow start Cameron Smith (69) came alive for Melbourne in the second half, including kicking the penalty to force the match to golden point and the field goal to win it. Smith again justified his high ownership, making 42 tackles, 12 points from goals and a forced line dropout.
Lowlight:
* While not too many players would be rolling the dice on electric Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu (10) this far into the season, those who did take the punt or were forced to wear his score as an auto-emergency would have been bitterly disappointed.
Final teams:
Storm: 1 Cameron Munster 2 Suliasi Vunivalu 3 Will Chambers 4 Cheyse Blair 5 Marika Koroibete 6 Blake Green 7 Cooper Cronk 8 Jesse Bromwich 9 Cameron Smith 10 Tim Glasby 11 Kevin Proctor 12 Tohu Harris 13 Dale Finucane Interchange: 14 Kenneath Bromwich 15 Christian Welch 16 Felise Kaufusi 19 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has returned from an ankle injury to replace Ben Hampton on the bench.
Rabbitohs: 1 Cody Walker 2 Alex Johnston 3 Hymel Hunt 4 Aaron Gray 5 Joe Burgess 6 Greg Inglis 7 Adam Reynolds 8 George Burgess 9 Damien Cook 10 Zane Musgrove 11 John Sutton 12 Angus Crichton 13 Sam Burgess Interchange: 14 Jason Clark 16 Kyle Turner 17 Tom Burgess 20 Jack Gosiewski
Just one change, with Jack Gosiewski replacing Nathan Brown on the bench.
SHARKS V RAIDERS
Injuries/reports
* Sharks hooker Michael Ennis was a late withdrawal due to illness.
* Canberra’s Blake Austin (34) came from the field with a shoulder injury after scoring a try midway through the second half. He didn’t return.
Talking point:
* The biggest match of the round for SuperCoaches, with both the Sharks and Raiders overflowing with SC talent. While a couple of favourites fired, others failed.
Highlights:
* Canberra’s English hooker Josh Hodgson (111) was in everything early, causing some major headaches for the Sharks and sparking some major celebrations for his 15,000 owners. The early season Dally M Medal leader’s score included two try assists, 36 tackles and 20 points from linebreaks.
* Sharks forwards Paul Gallen (65) and Andrew Fifita (82) again proved their SuperCoach worth with solid displays in a losing outfit. Gallen’s score included a try and Fifita’s a try assist.
* While he didn’t reach the SuperCoach heights of last week, Canberra winger and CTW POD Jordan Rapana managed a healthy 64 points thanks to two tries, and six points from tackle busts.
Lowlights:
* Sharks fullback Ben Barba’s scintillating SC form came to a screaming halt against the Raiders. Barba, who was on four points at halftime, increased his workrate in the second half but still struggled to just 23 points, including a linebreak.
* Canberra base stats beast Joseph Leilua (22) couldn’t get into the match, posting his lowest score this season.
* The 19,000 owners of Shark Valentine Holmes were left shaking their heads after the usually livewire winger could only manage a measly eight points.
Final teams:
Sharks 1 Ben Barba 2 Sosaia Feki 3 Jack Bird 4 Gerard Beale 5 Valentine Holmes 6 James Maloney 7 Chad Townsend 8 Andrew Fifita 20 Matt McIlwrick 16 Matt Prior 11 Luke Lewis 12 Wade Graham 13 Paul Gallen Interchange: 10 Sam Tagataese 15 Chris Heighington 17 Jayson Bukuya 19 Fa’amanu Brown
The Sharks are without Michael Ennis, with Matt McIlwrick starting at hooker and Fa’amanu Brown replacing Joseph Paulo on the interchange. Matt Prior will start at prop, with Sam Tagataese moving to the bench.
Raiders 1 Jack Wighton 2 Brenko Lee 3 Jarrod Croker 4 Joseph Leilua 5 Jordan Rapana 6 Blake Austin 7 Aidan Sezer 8 Junior Paulo 9 Josh Hodgson 10 Shannon Boyd 11 Josh Papalii 12 Elliott Whitehead 13 Iosia Soliola Interchange: 14 Adam Clydsdale 15 Luke Bateman 16 Clay Priest 17 Joseph Tapine
Canberra are 1-17 from the team named on Tuesday.
KNIGHTS V BULLDOGS
Injuries/reports
* Newcastle winger Nathan Ross left the ground midway through the first half with a calf injury and did not return.
Talking points:
* A low scoring match in terms of SuperCoach points, with few SC-relevant players giving their coaches any reason for celebration.
* Few would have picked the Knights to take it up to a Bulldogs team pushing hard for a finals spot. However, the return of Jarrod Mullen gave Newcastle some increased on-field structure and a strong kicking option while Trent Hodkinson was especially impressive against his old team.
* The Morris twins combined on a number of occasions for strong attacks on the Newcastle tryline in the first half. However, high risk, high reward POD option Brett (52) faded out of the match in the second half and couldn’t greatly improve on his recent moderate scores.
Highlight:
* Early season SuperCoach darling Moses Mbye continued his rich vein of recent form, knocking out an even ton before updates against the Knights. Mybe, who could prove a valuable POD for H2H finals, scored a try, a try assist, 12 points from forced line dropouts and 24 from goals.
Lowlight:
* Canterbury captain James Graham (46) had his lowest score this year from 58 minutes on the field. One of the most consistent SuperCoach forward options this season, you could almost hear the groans of disappointment from his 45,000 owners across the country.
Final teams
Knights: 1 Jake Mamo 2 Nathan Ross 3 Dane Gagai 4 Peter Mata’utia 5 Brendan Elliot 6 Jarrod Mullen 7 Trent Hodkinson 8 Sam Mataora 14 Chris Adams 10 Daniel Saifiti 11 Korbin Sims 12 Pauli Pauli 13 Jeremy Smith Interchange: 9 Danny Levi 16 Jacob Saifiti 17 Mickey Paea 19 Josh King
Jarrod Mullen returns from a hamstring injury. Chris Adams starts at hooker, relegating Danny Levi to the bench. Josh King joins the bench, with Pat Mata’utia and David Bhana dropping out of the team.
Bulldogs 1 William Hopoate 2 Brett Morris 3 Josh Morris 4 Curtis Rona 5 Sam Perrett 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Moses Mbye 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Michael Lichaa 10 James Graham 11 Joshua Jackson 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13 David Klemmer Interchange: 14 Sam Kasiano 15 Danny Fualalo 16 Tony Williams 17 Tim Browne
Bulldogs are 1-17 from the team named on Tuesday, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner promoted to the back row to replace the injured Greg Eastwood (hamstring).
EELS V SEA EAGLES
Injuries/Reports:
* Danny Wicks passed a concussion test after being hit high in a tackle by Darcy Lussick.
* Brad Takairangi received some attention to his eye in the first half.
* Beau Scott limped off the field in the final 10 minutes after hurting his left ankle.
* Tepai Moeroa failed a concussion test in the second half.
Talking points:
* A low scoring affair put a dent in points across the board. In the end a 10-9 victory to the Eels delt a huge blow to Manly’s finals aspirations.
* Tom Trbojevic’s run of impressive scores stalled on Friday night. Starved of the ball he only managed 24 points. He made one tackle bust and 16 points from hit-ups over eight metres.
* Jake Trbojevic scored at almost one point a minute. He spent 59 minutes on the field for 57 points, which included 33 tackles, a tackle bust and two offloads.
* POD option Jamie Buhrer produced well below his four-game average and finished with 46 points mostly from tackles (37). He also made one offload.
Highlights:
* Hooker Api Koroisau (87 points) was best on ground despite throwing a wayward pass in the final minute with his side one point behind on the scoreboard. He scored a try, made 41 tackles, five tackle busts and two linebreaks
Lowlights:
* Potential POD Clint Gutherson struggled to find the attacking stats. He made one tackle bust, one offload and 13 tackles for 23 points.
Final teams:
Eels: 1 Michael Gordon 2 Vai Toutai 3 Michael Jennings 4 Brad Takairangi 5 Bevan French 6 Clint Gutherson 7 Jeff Robson 17 Daniel Alvaro 9 Isaac De Gois 10 Tim Mannah 11 Manu Ma’u 12 Tepai Moeroa 13 Beau Scott. Interchange: 14 Kaysa Pritchard 15 Peni Terepo 16 Kenny Edwards 8 Danny Wicks
Daniel Alvaro starts ahead of Danny Wicks, who moves to the bench.
Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic 2 Jorge Taufua 3 Lewis Brown 4 Brayden Williame 5 Matthew Wright 6 Dylan Walker 7 Daly Cherry-Evans 8 Darcy Lussick 9 Apisai Koroisau 10 Martin Taupau 11 Nathan Green 12 Jamie Buhrer 13 Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14 Blake Leary 15 Josh Starling 16 Addin Fonua-Blake 17 Siosaia Vave
Sea Eagles are 1-17
DRAGONS V BRONCOS
Injuries/reports:
* Adam Blair was placed on report for a tackle on Will Matthews — who needed a concussion test as a result.
Talking points:
* Jack De Belin (72 points) backed up his performance against the Bulldogs last week with another strong effort. The POD lock forward did plenty of work in defence, making 45 tackle. He also made 16 points from hit-ups over eight metres.
* Cheapie Dragons centre Taane Milne delivered once again even without crossing the line for a try. He made 24 tackles, made one linebreak and two tackle busts for an impressive 63 points.
* Corey Parker minutes were down on last week as expected. He played for 66 minutes and made 57 points thanks to 32 tackles, 14 points from hit-ups over eight metres and he kicked two goals.
Highlights:
* Broncos forwards Josh McGuire and Sam Thaiday were both influential. Thaiday registered 88 points from 28 tackles, four tackle busts, 32 points from hit-ups over eight metres and a try. McGuire (77 points) made 41 tackle and 28 points from hit-ups.
Lowlights:
* Anthony Milford’s slump continues with the five-eighth only managing 35 points. He had a hand in a try and made 8 tackles.
* Cheapie Tevita Pangai Jnr didn’t see any game, leaving him with a big zero.
* Without a try to his name, winger Kurt Mann finished with a low 14 points which is significantly below his average.
Final teams:
Dragons: 1 Adam Quinlan 2 Kurt Mann 3 Euan Aitken 4 Taane Milne 5 Jason Nightingale 6 Gareth Widdop 7 Benji Marshall 8 Russell Packer 17 Jake Marketo 10 Mike Cooper 19 Tyrone McCarthy 12 Will Matthews 13 Jack de Belin. Interchange: 9 Mitch Rein 14 Tariq Sims 16 Jacob Host 21 Luciano Leilua
Jake Marketo starts at hooker ahead of Mitch Rein. Tyson Frizell is out suspended and Tyrone McCarthy comes into the side for him. Luciano Leilua will make his NRL debut from the bench.
Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd 2 Corey Oates 3 Tom Opacic 4 James Roberts 5 Lachlan Maranta 6 Anthony Milford 7 Ben Hunt 8 Josh McGuire 9 Andrew McCullough 10 Adam Blair 11 Sam Thaiday 12 Matt Gillett 13 Corey Parker. Interchange: 14 Jarrod Wallace 15 Tevita Pangai Jr 16 Jai Arrow 17 Alex Glenn 18 Jaydn Su’A
Broncos are 1-17
Originally published as NRL SuperCoach Round 22: Rolling coverage of weekend action
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