The Tackle: Likes, dislikes from Round 1 of the NRL
Our rugby league writers reveal what caught their eye — good and bad — in Round 1 of the NRL, plus check out the Dally M votes from every game and full leaderboard.
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The coronavirus crisis has taken its toll on the NRL but there was still plenty of action on the field to kick off the 2020 season.
Welcome to The Tackle, where our rugby league writers reveal what caught their eye — good and bad — in Round 1 of the NRL.
EELS V BULLDOGS
Dally M votes: 3 Josh Jackson, 2 Clint Gutherson, 1 Reed Mahoney. Judge: Brett Kimmorley
Like: There was a lot to like about Parramatta’s attitude in defence. The Eels scrambled under pressure and finished with a clean sheet. Parramatta missed 21 tackles but stats do not allow for attitude and commitment. Canterbury’s courage under adversity was typical of this gnarly and hardened club. An 8-2 loss to a premiership heavyweight clearly showed the 17 Bulldogs players from Thursday night wanted to play under coach Dean Pay.
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Dislike: The Eels’ attack was “clunky” and they appeared impatient through the first half. It was only round one but more was expected from them. Parramatta didn’t make one line break. Canterbury’s attack was also limp. The Bulldogs enjoyed 52 per cent of possession but couldn’t post a try. And they didn’t look like it. Canterbury only made two clean line breaks. Both teams failed to complete 20 sets.
— Dean Ritchie
RAIDERS V TITANS
Dally M votes: 3 Jack Wighton, 2 Elliott Whitehead, 1 Josh Papalii. Judge: James Smith
Like: In his early years Jack Wighton’s biggest problem was that he just didn’t believe in himself enough and would punish himself, sometimes for weeks, when he came up with a simple error.
Right now he plays like he honestly believes he is the best player in the world and as a result has rightly earned his place among the game’s absolute elite.
Ricky Stuart revealed after Friday night’s win that Wighton now has challenged himself to play five-eighth at rep level.
Even though he debuted for NSW last year in the centres, the performance he produced against Gold Coast suggests he is going to make the battle for the Blues halves spots this year very interesting.
Dislike: Justin Holbrook got a taste of the challenge that awaits him with Ash Taylor.
Some of Taylor’s defensive efforts that led directly to three Canberra tries, including Wighton’s double, were embarrassing.
To his credit Holbrook never attempted to invent an excuse, confirming post match that Taylor was fine to play on despite appearing to be carrying a shoulder injury which might result in his arm falling off at any moment.
At one point Taylor clearly came off second best after a tackle on Elliott Whitehead, but that was after Wighton had strolled past him twice.
— Paul Crawley
COWBOYS V BRONCOS
Dally M votes: 3 Payne Haas, 2 Brodie Croft, 1 Jason Taumalolo. Judge: Darren Lockyer
Like: The Broncos’ new halves combination.
The yin-yang combination of Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft could finally be the scrumbase mix that makes Brisbane a genuine premiership force.
We all know the Broncos have gun forwards but until they get their nerve centre right they will never fulfil their potential. Now, there’s hope.
For too long Milford has been forced to shoulder too much responsibility.
Yes, he is a gifted attacking dynamo who can win games in a flash. But it’s not in his nature to be a game manager responsible for marshalling Brisbane’s attack.
In Croft, the Broncos have a genuine organiser. There was nothing flash about the former Storm No.7 but Croft was vocal, confident and, most importantly, looks like he wants to take charge.
That freed-up Milford to roam and play what he sees. It’s a good mix.
Dislike: Michael Morgan should sit down today, get the popcorn out, and watch his 2017 finals series. Over and over.
The Cowboys looked pedestrian at their magnificent new stadium and their biggest problem relates to their most important player — captain Morgan.
The Cowboys No.7 was ordinary on Friday night. In 2017, Morgan was the star of the finals but against the Broncos he looked a shadow of the player who helped the Cowboys to two grand finals in three years. There was too much sideways running and hesitation and not enough direct play straightening the attack.
Morgan is a special talent but he looks down on confidence and needs to back himself again. If he doesn’t, the Cowboys’ new Fortress will turn into a feeding ground for rival teams.
— Peter Badel
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KNIGHTS V WARRIORS
Dally M votes: 3 David Klemmer, 2 Mitch Barnett, 1 Mitchell Pearce. Judge: Andrew Ryan
Like: In the lead-up to the match, Knights skipper Mitchell Pearce spoke about the responsibility the Newcastle players feel to repay the faith of their long-suffering fans.
The Novocastrians are in the midst of the second-longest finals drought in the competition, and the supporters are desperate for something to believe in. There will be stiffer tests than the Warriors along the way, but if the defensive attitude was anything to go by there will be plenty of good times in the Hunter in 2020 for everyone who’s been waiting for the Knights to find their way back.
Dislike: It’s only Round 1, but this was an insipid display by the Warriors. In previous years they have struggled but were able to lift themselves slightly above wooden spoon level on sheer talent, but that is not possible this season. The New Zealanders have one of the thinnest rosters in the league, and the prospect of playing much of the season on the road following the travel ban will only add to their troubles.
— Nick Campton
RABBITOHS v SHARKS
Dally M votes: 3 Liam Knight, 2 Shaun Johnson, 1 Cameron Murray. Judge: Greg Alexander
Like: Adam Reynolds seems to be relishing the bunnies captaincy, as he guided his side to victory with a near perfect first half. He opened the try scoring with a great run, and controlled the game well with his kicking game. His side did drop off late in the second half to give the Sharks a chance, but did enough to get the two points.
Sione Katoa. He wasn’t heavily involved for the Sharks, but was absolutely brilliant in patches and is fast proving himself as one of the best finishers in the competition.
Dislike: Latrell Mitchell’s utilisation. He only played 55 minutes, coming off in a planned interchange from Wayne Bennett, with Alex Johnston playing fullback from the bench. I understand they must be trying to ease Latrell into the new role, but how is he supposed to manage the new workload if he isn’t getting the minutes? The positional switch for Cameron Murray also looked questionable in this game, as he struggled to get involved on an edge, before being moved back to lock when Knight left the field. Andrew Fifita’s injury woes must be worse than we initially thought, as he was limited to just 39 minutes in this game.
— Wilson Smith
PANTHERS v ROOSTERS
Dally M votes: 3 Api Koroisau, 2 Isaah Yeo, 1 James Fisher-Harris. Judge: Corey Parker
Like: The performance of Api Koroisau playing his first game for Penrith since 2015.
He started poorly after firing the opening kick-off out on the full, but that was the only blemish as he played out the full 80 minutes and looked Penrith’s most likely with the ball.
Once he forms a combination with his teammates Koroisau is going to be very hard to contain.
He’s such an X-factor with the ball and will take plenty of pressure off Nathan Cleary. Penrith’s big men were dominated early but as soon as he got some space in the second half he looked dangerous.
Dislike: The timing of the Roosters. The Roosters have been so clinical in recent years and their trademark has been icing big plays. They failed to do this on Saturday night. The easy option is to blame the lack of cohesion on a massively disrupted roster. But there was enough class in the field to produce a better performance. Fullback James Tedesco failed to nail to long passes to winger Matt Ikuvalu and got caught short on a 40/20. He wasn’t alone. Halves Kyle Flanagan and Luke Keary failed to take control when needed and produced poor last tackle options.
— Michael Carayannis
SEA EAGLES V STORM
Dally M votes: 3 Cameron Smith, 2 Tui Kamikamica, 1 Jahrome Hughes
Like: Melbourne stayed patient, held strong and were rewarded with three second half tries, albeit all came from kicks. Expertly marshalled by Cameron Smith, Melbourne kicked nicely for the corners and built pressure. Manly did well considering possession in the second half was two-to-one in favour of Melbourne. The Sea Eagles’ try-line defence during the first half was stellar. The Storm did seem to target Manly winger Jorge Taufua in the air with kicks.
Dislike: Manly offered up an excessive amount of possession to Melbourne in the second half – all in good field position. The Sea Eagles’ execution was modest at best. In the end, it killed them. Some could argue Melbourne should have scored more points through the amount of ball they enjoyed in the second half. The Storm’s completion rate was down over the final 20 minutes of the first half.
— Dean Ritchie
DRAGONS v WESTS TIGERS
Dally M votes: 3 Benji Marshall, 2 David Nofoaluma, 1 Paul Vaughan
Like: Benji Marshall might be 35 years of age but his performance against the Dragons was simply stunning.
He took on a bigger and more dominating role without Luke Brooks and was just outstanding.
No player produced a better kicking game in the eight matches of the first round. He forced four line drop-outs and set up two tries from kicks.
It’s hard to believe this is his 18th season. Seriously, he’s getting better and better.
Amazingly, Benji is on a quarter of the salary of Ben Hunt but gave the $1.2 million man a footy lesson.
In fairness Hunt almost got Saints home at the end with a sneaky break but front-rower Paul Vaughan spilt the ball with the line open.
Dislike: Maybe Paul McGregor needs the competition to be suspended to save his job because not a lot has changed at St George-Illawarra from last season.
They had a genuine dig but bombed two chances at the end that good sides would have converted into points. Vaughan dropped the Hunt pass and Tyson Frizell threw a horrible ball to unmarked teammates that went forward near the Wests Tigers line.
Vaughan had shocking hands. He even lost the ball in a strip to a winger … David Nofoaluma.
If the season goes ahead, Saints won’t be troubling to many sides.
— Phil Rothfield
DALLY M ROUND 1 LEADERBOARD
Payne Haas 3
Liam Knight 3
Josh Jackson 3
Jack Wighton 3
David Klemmer 3
Cameron Smith 3
Benji Marshall 3
Apisai Koroisau 3
Tui Kamikamica 2
Shaun Johnson 2
Mitchell Barnett 2
Isaah Yeo 2
Elliott Whitehead 2
David Nofoaluma 2
Clinton Gutherson 2
Brodie Croft 2
Reed Mahoney 1
Paul Vaughan 1
Mitchell Pearce 1
Josh Papalii 1
Jason Taumalolo 1
James Fisher-Harris 1
Jahrome Hughes 1
Cameron Murray 1
Originally published as The Tackle: Likes, dislikes from Round 1 of the NRL
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