Macarthur Rugby League: Massive headache, round three wrap, talking points

An ex-NRL star has a headache, a winger can’t get enough of Jets, and there’s a new T-Rex in town. Here’s what’s making news after another round of the Macarthur Rugby League. TALKING POINTS

Raymond Mu scored form a bomb in the Collies win at Thirlmere in round three. Picture: Steve Montgomery

There were only three matches last weekend, but there was no shortage of talking points in a bizarre round of Macarthur Rugby League.

One international hard-head met his match, and the big waves rolled in at Thirlmere.

With those and more, here’s what’s making news.

SOUND THE ALARM

Picton used to have Origin wrecking ball Tony ‘T-Rex’ Williams, but Collies wouldn’t swap Salesi Funaki for anyone.

An absolute beast on the right edge, Funaki bossed Thirlmere on Sunday. In 22 minutes either side of halftime, the No.12 was at his destructive best, scattering defenders at will in a three-try rampage to spearhead a major upset.

If he fires again this week, The Oaks are in for a torrid afternoon.

BIG WAVES

Funaki wasn’t alone, the big fella had plenty of support as Collies’ big men rolled in waves.

Prop Tifa Iuta steamrolled over for the matching clinching try. In an incredible start to the season, it was the No.10’s fifth time across the stripe.

Jaycob Oloaga scored one of six tries for Collies in the win over Thirlmere. Picture: Steve Montgomery

JETS EDGE CLOSER

Narellan can’t take a trick at the moment. After a slow start, the Jets have held their own against quality opposition over the last three rounds.

They stumbled after building a healthy 12-point buffer against the Tigers, but with committed goal line defence a win can’t be far away.

On a couple of occasions against The Oaks last Saturday, they repelled the best of Mitchell Brasington and Daniel Payne across multiple sets.

TICKET BOOKED

He’s the flying Tigers winger who can’t get enough of the Jets.

After filling his boots with four tries in round 16 last season at Narellan, Casey Timmer was at it again on Saturday, bobbing up to bag another two on the left edge.

Known for his forward thinking, you can bet the No.2 has noted the round 14 return clash in his diary.

PICK YOUR TARGETS

In a career featuring more than 200 NRL appearances and 28 Tests for the Kiwis, Greg Eastwood rarely came off second best.

Mind you, none of those matches featured the hard head of Eagles utility Brett Lahey. On Saturday night at Waminda Oval, both their melons collided in an ugly clash and it was the prized Goanna who failed to finish.

Set to face City on Sunday, doubts remain on Eastwood’s availability.

Greg Eastwood (right) muscles up against Narellan in round one. Photo: Warren Gannon Photography

PAY BACK

East Campbelltown struck late to snatch a draw over the Goannas, and while there was a touch of luck in the stunning try scored by winger Zakariya Agbere, it wasn’t all one-way traffic.

Eight minutes earlier, Tyler Ah-Chong used the golden touch to bring South West level at 18-all. The No.9 grubbered from dummy-half, then pouched a fortuitous ricochet to assist Dayshawn Lyden over the line.

RAMS OR LIONS

Camden remain the only unbeaten side after five rounds, but they face another tough contest when they host Mittagong on Sunday.

Both sides will be fresh after the break, but the Lions will have their hands full. The Oaks and Oakdale are the only sides to finish within 18 points of Camden this season.

TOSS OF THE COIN

Good luck trying to pick a winner in round six. On paper all five games shape as even match-ups.

The Oaks and Collies will be an intriguing clash of styles, while one of Picton or Narellan should open their season account.

East Campbelltown welcome back several key names for the trip to Oakdale. Then there’s City and the Goannas – heads or tails?

ROUND SIX (4-5 MAY)

MEN’S FIRST GRADE

Oakdale v East Campbelltown, Sid Sharpe Memorial Oval

The Oaks v Campbelltown Collegians, Dudley Chesham Sports Ground

Campbelltown City v South West, Fullwood Reserve

Camden v Mittagong, Kirkham Park

Narellan v Picton, Narellan Sports Ground

WOMEN’S OPEN AGE: FIRST GRADE

Warragamba v Thirlmere, Warragamba Sports Ground

The Oaks v Campbelltown Collegians, Dudley Chesham Sports Ground

Campbelltown City v Glenquarie, Fullwood Reserve

Camden v Minto Cobras, Kirkham Park

Ella Fielding and the Camden Rams take on Minto in round six. Photo: Warren Gannon Photography

ROUND THREE WRAP

Originally scheduled as a break, last weekend saw the three postponed matches from round three played out in the Macarthur Rugby League.

The Oaks hosted Narellan on Saturday night, while South West headed to Waminda to face East Campbelltown.

The action didn’t let up on Sunday, as Collies headed to Thirlmere in pursuit of a major upset.

COLLIES UNLEASHED

Those in the know say it has been brewing, but only the brave predicted Campbelltown Collegians to down Thirlmere on home turf.

But that’s exactly what happened on Sunday as Collies extended their unbeaten run to three with a season defining 36-32 victory.

Thirlmere fielded a star-studded backline, but Collies enforcer Salesi Funaki stole the show. The former Q Cup prop arrived in a menacing mood and put the competition on notice, crashing over for three tries.

Curtis Scott crossed for the Roosters and Ken Sio bagged a double as the sides traded tries for the majority of the contest. Raymond Mu broke the contest open midway through the second half, the winger’s try put Collies ahead by 12 and seemingly in control.

But with Collies, it’s never over until the final whistle. Following a long list of fade outs, Thirlmere sensed an opportunity and hit back through Corey Norman and winger Marika Tuilau.

Needing a win to remain within touching distance of the top five sides, Collies saluted the parochial Roosters crowd when Tifa Iuta powered across to secure the boilover of the season.

Raymond Mu scored an import try for Collies. Picture: Steve Montgomery

“I said last week the boys would cause some upsets, I just didn’t think it would happen so soon,” said Collegians team manager Mitch Hoffman.

“Funaki was devastating in a strong pack that paved the way for the win. It was a great day for Collies, the women’s and reserve grade won too, so to get a clean sweep at Thirlmere is very satisfying for the club.”

Known for switching off over the course of the first five rounds, Collies delivered what shapes as a season defining moment.

“Thirlmere kept coming, but the boys defended their own line for most of the final five minutes,” said Hoffman.

“They proved to themselves that they can do it, hopefully it’s a line in the sand moment.”

YOUNG GUN’S EPIC TRY

With a handful of minutes still on the clock, South West held a six-point advantage over East Campbelltown and looked headed for a major upset.

It all changed in the blink of an eye when rookie Zakariya Agbere put boot to ball, twice.

After towing a questionable pass, the winger regathered and then with the fullback to beat he kicked again, before winning the race to the in-goal to score an extraordinary solo try.

With the ball teed up out wide, Eagles veteran Sean Connor did the rest, landing the conversion for a 24-all draw.

In a game that featured five lead changes, both teams had their chances. Goannas skipper Eddie Faalua barged over twice in the opening 30 minutes before Eagles playmaker Bailey Rye put Salesa Tavui across to make it 12-all at halftime.

Eddie Faalua scored a double for the South West. Photo: Warren Gannon Photography

With South West halfback Calvin Faapito in the sin bin, Alex Mataia powered across for the Eagles in the next set. But the points dried up, and with 10 minutes to play the Goannas clicked into gear.

Dayshawn Lyden scored the Goannas’ third, and it was all South West when Brad Takairangi combined with fullback Wyll Baker to make it 24-18.

“Given the context of the game, we were happy to walk away with a draw,” said Eagles coach Jake Tonitto.

“We were missing seven regulars, but that’s no excuse. The Goannas are getting better every week and are certainly no easybeats this season.”

One of four Eagles on debut, Agbere is a name fans may hear more about.

“Zakariya is 21, he started the season in Jersey Flegg for Wests Tigers,” said Tonitto.

“He’s on the comeback trail from a broken toe, so we were fortunate to have him in the side.”

FAST FINISHING TIGERS

With upsets on the menu, Narellan boiled one of their own for 70 minutes until The Oaks struck late to win 34-20 at Dudley Chesham Sports Ground.

Jets backrower Gordon Toomalatai showed Narellan’s intentions from the outset, slicing through to open a 6-0 lead.

From then on, the Jets continued to direct traffic towards The Oaks’ brittle right edge defence.

Isaiah Tuiaki added another in the 10th minute, and the winger found himself on the end of another overlap to make it 14-8 at halftime.

It was all Narellan after the break when halfback Tyrone Harding raced an intercept 50m to score under the posts.

Gordon Toomalatai scored the opening try against The Oaks. Photo: Warren Gannon Photography

Tigers prop Joseph Ualesi crashed over reducing the margin to six. Then when halfback Daniel Payne was levelled without the ball, it gave the home side a one-man advantage for 10 minutes and they never looked back.

Ben Scambary barged over in the next set, and it wasn’t long until Casey Timmer crossed out wide to put his side four points clear. With all the running, The Oaks closed out the night in style with tries to Ben and Daniel Payne.

With three wins from four starts, The Oaks now sit in second place. Narellan remain winless, but after several strong performances they will fancy their chances next week when they host Picton.