NRL Round 21 Likes, Dislikes: ‘Need more from their captain’
Our rugby league writers reveal what caught their eye — good and bad — in Round 21 of the NRL, including a star player’s worrying form slide, a big-game masterclass and more.
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Our rugby league writers reveal what caught their eye — good and bad — in Round 21 of the NRL.
COWBOYS v BRONCOS
LIKE: This Queensland derby was as tasty as lentil soup but Broncos powerhouse Tevita Pangai Jr will give NRL rivals food for thought if Brisbane make the finals.
The one highlight of a drab derby was the dangerous second-phase created by Pangai Jr, who produced six offloads — three times as many as Cowboys hulk Jason Taumalolo (two).
Pangai Jr could be more selective at times but there’s no question his power, hard-running and ability to use the ball in traffic is the X-factor the Broncos desperately need to be a legitimate finals threat.
Pangai Jr’s showdown with Penrith powerhouse Viliame Kikau this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium will be a ripper.
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DISLIKE: What has happened to Michael Morgan?
The Cowboys playmaker lit up the code two years ago when he produced a sizzling form burst to inspire North Queensland’s fairytale surge to the 2017 grand final.
But ever since, ‘Morgo’ has lost his mojo. He simply hasn’t stepped up this year as the main man post-Johnathan Thurston and the pressure is building on Morgan to live-up to his five-year, $5 million deal.
Morgan failed to bust the line against the Broncos and one first-tackle grubber kick following a Brisbane turnover was the brain-snap expected of an NRL rookie. Even Cowboys coach Paul Green said after the match Morgan is “too nice”. He needs to get some Thurston-style mongrel and take control.
— Peter Badel
WARRIORS v SEA EAGLES
LIKE: We knew Chanel Harris-Tavita had every trick in the bag when it comes to attack.
This was evident when he produced a freak scorpion kick to score for New Zealand under-20s prior to his NRL debut.
We didn’t know how hard the featherweight could whack. He blindsided Tommy Trbojevic with a monster shot in the opening half, then not long after he successfully landed a blow on 118kg giant Addin Fonua-Blake.
CHT’s defence epitomised a rejuvenated Warriors outfit against the Sea Eagles. The line speed was exceptional, not at all reminiscent of the passive defence that was asking to be punished by Canberra the week before.
Tom Trbojevic was met with a defender within an inch of his face every time he touched the ball, and it forced the Manly halves into panic mode. Hopefully, hopefully, we see the men in black put in back-to-back performances in their unlikely run to the finals.
DISLIKE: All season Manly have played like they’ve been underdogs, regardless of their opposition.
There’s been no arrogance, no complacency, and against all odds it’s lifted them within reach of the NRL’s top four.
On Friday night against the Warriors in Auckland this wasn’t the case.
They’ve penetrated the middle third of the field all season through Marty Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake, earning the right to use their strike power of Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic on the edges.
But in wet conditions that didn’t suit flamboyant football to begin with, the Sea Eagles thought the points would flow as they have throughout the year.
It was the down game Manly had to have, somewhat of a reality check for a side punching above their weight. For this reason, they’ll be stronger for the outing, standing them in good stead come September.
— Tim Williams
PANTHERS v SHARKS
LIKE: Baby Panthers. Of the 17 Penrith players who took the field against Cronulla, only one made his top grade debut at another club — skipper James Tamou. Then of the rest, three were making their NRL debuts — Matt Burton, Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu — while, all up, seven were rookies for 2019. Which means that apart from keeping alive their finals hopes with a thrilling upset win over Cronulla, this Friday Night Football match represented a proud moment for the Penrith club and suggests the future will be full of homegrown talent.
DISLIKE: Cronulla’s goalkicking. Okay so it didn’t officially cost them this game, but still you have to wonder where the Sharks would sit if they had an NRL sharpshooter. Despite once again scoring as many tries as their opposition, the Shire boys got beat by six points — with Shaun Johnson missing two conversions. Johnson has converted at just 70 per cent this year, with Kyle Flanagan (67%) and Chad Townsend (58%) worse. In comparison Panthers halves Nathan Cleary and James Maloney kick at 86 per cent and 85 per cent respectively. From Round 14, Cronulla lost four of five games by a grand total of seven points.
— Nick Walshaw
DRAGONS v TITANS
LIKE: He’s had to play second fiddle to the Dragons’ representative big men, but Luciano Leilua showed why he must get more minutes in 2020.
He has the size to match it with the best forwards in the NRL, but it’s his silky skills that set him apart from the big fellas in the middle.
Things tend to happen when Leilua has the ball — most of them good — and he showed that against the Titans with a deft kick that would have made most halves proud, while he also broke through and popped a soft pass for Ben Hunt to score.
If he can work on his engine then he can become a real trump card in the Red V pack.
DISLIKE: The stage was set for a big Dragons win — the problem was there was almost no one there to enjoy it. Only 6532 braved windy conditions in what was St George Illawarra’s final day game at Kogarah this season. Those who did rock up were treated to an attacking masterclass led by the departing Gareth Widdop, while 3000 lucky fans also received commemorative James Graham playing cards to mark his 400th first grade game. It’s been a rough year for the Red V, but hopefully their supporters can turn up in two weeks when they take on the Roosters at the same venue.
— Martin Gabor
EELS v KNIGHTS
LIKE: The quality of the game. A desperate Newcastle side played like their season was on the line.
The Knights repelled Parramatta’s onslaught in the opening half to trail by just six. But the Eels were keen too to cement their top eight spot and keep the top four ambition alive.
It was a high-quality game of football and set the standard for the back end of the year
DISLIKE: The form of Mitchell Pearce post-Origin.
Sure he has played behind a badly beaten forward pack in recent weeks but when Newcastle went on their winning streak midway through the year it was off the back of their No.7.
With the game — and their season on the line — Pearce struggled to build any pressure or kick his side out of trouble.
If Newcastle are any hope of securing a finals spot they need more from their captain.
— Michael Carayannis
BULLDOGS v TIGERS
LIKE: Dean Pay has been knocked from pillar to post by critics over the past two years for a salary cap debacle he inherited, for a largely reserve grade quality side he inherited and for a growing finals drought that he inherited.
He’s been given minimal credit for getting this squad to continually produce their all for their diehard supporters.
Three weeks back they held their own against a star-studded Sydney Roosters outfit in an eight-point loss.
Now they’ve strung together back-to-back victories against top eight sides. It was the same story in 2018.
Entering Round 20 against the Tigers with just two wins to their name — and marquee players Aaron Woods and Moses Mbye a distant memory — Canterbury would go on to win four of their final six matches to finish 12th.
Again playing for nothing, Pay has his side firing against all odds and widening the gap from the dreaded wooden spoon.
If Saturday’s reports are accurate and the club can lure Jesse Ramien, Api Koroisau and Herman Ese’ese in 2020, we’ll get a far truer indication of what Pay is capable of as an NRL coach.
DISLIKE: Bryce Cartwright and Darius Boyd have had infamous moments in the past two seasons where they forgot they had anything between their neck and chest.
On numerous occasions they conceded tries when failing to even attempt a tackle.
Sadly for Luke Brooks he’s now joined the honour roll.
The Tigers halfback has improved his defence remarkably in recent seasons, but an old habit reared its head on Saturday night.
Canterbury’s opening try through Josh Jackson was an absolute gift courtesy of Brooks who failed to inject himself into the tackle to any degree.
Michael Chee-Kam was also responsible for a horrendous effort on the Dogs skipper, but at least he had a crack … sort of.
Just minutes later Brooks was again found guilty of an embarrassing defensive play with a lazy read on Jeremy Marshall-King that led to another try.
— Tim Williams
RAIDERS v ROOSTERS
LIKE: Canberra’s right edge v the Roosters’ left. Tackle busts, offloads, fends, hits, niggle, line breaks and tries — this battle had it all. The match itself was a ripper — a worthy contender for game of the season — and there were highlights everywhere. James Tedesco was James Tedesco, Josh Hodgson was in everything, Josh Papalii and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves led from the front … but that one side of the field seemed to see so much action. The Raiders trio of John Bateman, Nick Cotric and Jordan Rapana got off to a good start, with Bateman and Rapana combining for Canberra’s opening try, and the Englishman continuing his super season with another great performance. But Angus Crichton, Latrell Mitchell and Daniel Tupou won the day in the end. The latter pair picked up three tries between them and Crichton was particularly strong, finishing with 152 running metres from 14 carries, seven tackle busts and a linebreak as he continues his late-season form surge.
DISLIKE: A missed opportunity for Canberra. The Raiders surely lost few — if any — admirers for playing their part in what was an enthralling battle between two contenders for this year’s title. But they also let slip a chance to lock down a top four spot and prove they can match it with the genuine heavyweights. Canberra had more ball (55 per cent possession) and territory (58 per cent) than a Roosters side that was missing Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and Siosiua Taukeiaho and lost hooker Sam Verrills to injury. Still, they found themselves chasing the game for much of the encounter and needed a last-minute Hail Mary to dig themselves out: it didn’t eventuate. They get the chance to set the record straight when facing table-topping Melbourne on Saturday night.
— Dominic Burke
RABBITOHS v STORM
LIKE: Love him or hate him, there is no disputing Cameron Smith remains the NRL’s most influential player.
At Central Coast Stadium the 36-year-old was up against the current Australian No. 9 in Damien Cook and it was Smith who put on the masterclass.
It again confirmed just how far ahead of the field Smith remains.
His composure at dummy half, passing precision and attention to detail is second to none — on top of that his relentless energy and effort in defence is the driving force behind the most ruthless team in the business.
Hate Smith all you want — plenty do — but what can’t be argued is that he is the ultimate professional and it is going to take a mighty effort to stop the Storm claiming another title.
DISLIKE: Melbourne’s constant pushing and bending of the rules has become so second nature it almost gets forgotten these days.
They gave up nine straight penalties at one point as well as losing Felise Kaufusi to the sin bin. So the talk post match naturally was it was the Storm who copped the short straw from the refs.
The reality is the penalty count could have been double and the Storm still would have got away with too much by continually standing off side and jumping the gun, even when they are standing right beside the referee.
But what I really struggle to accept is this tackling technique where the defender will grab hold of their opponent’s head at first contact to gain control of the tackle.
There was only one penalty against the Storm for it on Sunday but there were so many times you could see attacking players squirming under the pressure of having their heads pulled and yanked in every direction.
It is a nasty tactic that should be outlawed.
— Paul Crawley
Originally published as NRL Round 21 Likes, Dislikes: ‘Need more from their captain’
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