NRL finals player ratings: Who starred and who stunk in the clash between South Sydney and Newcastle
David Klemmer was one of Newcastle’s best players in their elimination final loss to the Rabbitohs – yet by late afternoon he was axed from the Origin squad. Check out all the ratings here.
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Newcastle fell apart as South Sydney went from strength to strength in a stunning performance that will have the rest of the NRL finalists very worried about the dark horse Rabbits.
Fatima Kdouh rates every player from the Sunday afternoon finals clash.
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SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
1. COREY ALLAN - 7.5
A handling error put his side on the back foot in the first half but rebounded with a strong showing. Scored a try, made 140 metres and five tackle busts.
2. ALEX JOHNSTON - 6.5
Added two more tries to his season 2020 tally.
3. CAMPBELL GRAHAM - 5
Quiet by his standards, missed two tackles, one tackle which led to a Knights try.
4. DANE GAGAI - 6
Busy all game long. His decoy running will leave Newcastle’s Enari Tuala with nightmares.
5. JAXSON PAULO - 6
Ran for just over 100 metres and was heavily involved. Did his job with little fanfare.
6. CODY WALKER - 8
Put early frustrations aside to single handedly turn momentum in favour of his side. Dangerous close to the line, every time.
7. ADAM REYNOLDS - 7
In sync with his five-eighth with ball in hand but made uncharacteristic errors with the boot.
8. TEVITA TATOLA - 7.5
Wrestled his way through four defenders on the try line to extend his side’s lead in the second half. Finished two two tries.
9. DAMIEN COOK - 8
At his dangerous best when given space around the ruck. Set up Murray for a try that gave Bunnies first lead of the game.
10. THOMAS BURGESS - 7
Led from the front. Finished with 150 run metres and a game high of 55 post contact metres.
15. LIAM KNIGHT - 6
Had a number of strong carries and got through plenty of work.
12. BAYLEY SIRONEN - 5
A loose carry put his side under pressure early.
13. CAMERON MURRAY - 7
Great support play. Another workhorse performance making 36 tackles, zero misses.
INTERCHANGE
11. JAYDN SU’A - 6
Returned from suspension off the bench and played with impact and put on a huge hit on Fitzgibbon.
14. MARK NICHOLLS - 5
25 post contact metres from six runs in limited game time was a solid effort.
16. JED CARTWRIGHT - 4
Did little with the limited game time off the bench.
17. KEAON KOLOAMATANGI - 5.5
Like Su’A imposed himself from the bench
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
1. KALYN PONGA - 5.5
Rainbow ball over the top to Hunt in the first attacking raid delivered a try. Threatened early but otherwise well contained.
2. EDRICK LEE - 5.5
Under utilised in the air but tried hard all game long. Finished with 122 metres.
3. ENARI TUALA - 4
Rattled. Defensive lapses, missed two one on one tackles, that allowed the Rabbitohs back into the game.
4. BRADMAN BEST - 6
Ran hard with his 136 metres causing some headaches and was rewarded with a try in the first half.
5. HYMEL HUNT - 6
Beat the touchline and two defenders to open the scoring after just two minutes. Scored a consolation try at the death.
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9. KURT MANN - 6
Hasn’t played at five-eighth since round 13 and it showed. Coughed up the ball, costing his side a crucial two points in the second half.
7. MITCHELL PEARCE - 6
Nailed a captain’s call that led to his side dominating early but couldn’t do it all himself in attack.
8. DAVID KLEMMER - 7
Solid first stint, chewed up plenty of metres with important runs early but stood back and watched Tatola crash over for a try. Unbelievably has been axed from the Origin squad after debuting in 2015. Latest details here.
14. CHRIS RANDALL - 6
Did his job well and without being a standout. Made a stack of tackles, 52 in total.
10. DANIEL SAIFITI - 7.5
One of Newcastle’s best. Played with impact and carried his side, led for post contact metres. Made three tackle busts.
11. LACHLAN FITZGIBBON - 6
Influential in the first half but faded into the background.
13. MITCHELL BARNETT - 5.5
Mixed game. Poor miss on South Sydney’s Cook that led to a try which broke Newcastle’s back in the first half but ran hard.
16. HERMAN ESE’ESE - 5
Didn’t miss a tackle but didn’t play with enough impact through the middle.
INTERCHANGE
12. AIDEN GUERRA - 3
Tried hard in his last ever game of NRL.
15. JACOB SAIFITI - 4
Was solid and had some impact when he first came on.
17. SIONE MATA’UTIA - 4
Tried to provide a point in attack but couldn’t create the spark needed.
20. TEX HOY - 3
Injected into the game with 28 minutes to go but couldn’t spark his side.
Originally published as NRL finals player ratings: Who starred and who stunk in the clash between South Sydney and Newcastle