NRL scores 2020: Canberra Raiders best Wests Tigers 14-6
Wests Tigers coach Michael McGuire wanted his team to be better and his side stood up early on, but they then fell into bad habits with the Raiders racing away 14-6 winners.
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*Rabbitohs 32 - 12 Titans: Read the Full Report
*Knights 12 - 26 Storm: Read the Full Report
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire wanted a response. And for 40 minutes his team delivered but they then fell into bad habits in the second half with the Raiders racing away 14-6 winners.
For 49 minutes the Tigers held the Raiders scoreless and looked like souring Canberra coach Ricky Stuart’s 400th game. But two tries in five minutes turned the tide the Raiders way less than seven days since the Tigers were humiliated by the Titans.
Maguire reacted to that loss by making five changes, including axing club stalwart Benji Marshall. Marshall, who oddly had to warm up with the team before kick-off, watched on as the Tigers led 4-0 at half-time.
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Maguire said was happy with his team’s efforts but failed to rule out making more changes.
“We just have to learn how to do that for 80,” Maguire said.
“We played the style of what I asked for the in the first half. We went away from what we were doing really well. I’ll have a look at the game. Decide which adjustments I may need and go with .
“If I need to make adjustments I will.”
Strangely it was Russell Packer’s entry into the match which helped sway the game in the Raiders favour. Packer waited 14 months since he last played in the top grade but just six minutes back into his return he was sin-binned for a brain snap when he tried to stop the Raiders from taking a quick penalty tap.
A few tackles later the Raiders scored through winger Nick Cotric off a George Williams cross-field kick in the 54th minute after Jack Wighton scored earlier. Packer was later placed on report for a high tackle on Joe Tapine and then quickly replaced to end an eventful 12 minute stint.
Maguire said he will “have a look” at Packer’s stint.
REYNOLDS INVOLVEMENT
Wests Tigers five-eighth Josh Reynolds brushed aside his drama plagued year to lay on the only first half try. His cross-field kick led to a Curtis Scott fumble with Luke Brooks pouncing to score after 17 minutes. The Tigers loss was compounded by a possible ankle injury to Luciano Leilua who limped from the field in the dying moments.
WIGHTON SLICES THROUGH
A terrible defensive lapse cost the Tigers to help Wighton slice through for the Raiders first try. Just moments after throwing a terrible pass over the sideline, Wighton, who battled a bad cut, showed no intent of passing the next time. He dummied just six metres from the Tigers line and easily beat four defenders including Packer and Reynolds who were flat-footed to allow Wighton to score and give the Raiders the lead for the first time.
Coach Ricky Stuart said it was a “really physical game”.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game after both teams were embarrassed by their last performance,” Stuart said. “I don’t think anybody watching at home would appreciate the difficult circumstances playing. It was tough, greasy and slippery.
“Over the next four or five weeks, if I can I’ll start rotating players to keep the energy high.”
Fulltime CANBERRA 14 (N Cotric J Wighton tries J Croker 3 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 6 (L Brooks try M Mbye goal) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Chris Sutton.
SMITH MASTERCLASS: CLASSY STORM END KNIGHTS UNBEATEN RUN
Just when we thought the Melbourne Storm machine was on a slide, the men from Victoria flexed their proven premiership-winning muscle to bury the unbeaten Newcastle Knights.
Inspired by a masterclass from skipper Cameron Smith, the Storm continued their domination over the Knights with a hard fought 26-12 victory.
Melbourne haven’t lost to Newcastle in five years – a statistic that doesn’t look like changing while Smith is playing.
The NRL’s most influential player seamlessly shifted between hooker and halfback in a scintillating solo performance.
The former Australian and Test captain expertly controlled proceedings with his smarts while he set up three tries, including a first half four pointer for winger Suliasi Vunivalu with a perfect cut-out pass.
Smith wasn’t alone in the standout stakes with five-eighth Cameron Munster also at his brilliant best.
Munster looked like he had spiders on him at stages, such was the inefficiency of Newcastle’s defence.
Melbourne’s triumph helped the master mentor Craig Bellamy win the battle of the coaches against his former apprentice, Adam O’Brien.
O’Brien spent 11 seasons at Melbourne in various roles from an Under 20s assistant, a development coach and the team’s on-field runner.
He also had four seasons as an NRL assistant working alongside the man affectionately known as ‘Bellyache’.
But on the big NRL stage, O’Brien proved no match for Bellamy, who devised the perfect game plan to topple Newcastle.
The Storm mixed up their attack, especially coming out of trouble, with quick passes on the edges and speed around the ruck.
Melbourne were fantastic, but Newcastle failed to produce an 80-minute performance to maintain their winning run.
The loss denied the Knights their best start to a season since 2002 when the likes of Andrew Johns and current football manager Danny Buderus won their first six games as defending premiers.
In fairness to Newcastle, they have been strong all season but simply couldn’t stop the mighty Melbourne on the night.
The Storm led 18-2 at halftime, and while the Knights showed commendable fight in the second half with two tries, Bellamy’s boys proved too good.
Coach O’Brien was bitterly disappointed with Newcastle’s poor first-half performance.
He issued the Knights with a stern warning to improve ahead of Thursday’s round 6 clash against Brisbane at Central Coast Stadium.
“We haven’t had lapses like that at the start of games this season,” O’Brien lamented.
“We have been a hungry footy side when we get off the bus and we need to get that back quickly.
“We are here against the Broncos in five days’ time and we need to be a hungry footy team again.
“It is hard to be too critical, but we can’t rest on that.”
PAPENHUYZEN EDGES PONGA:
In the much-hyped match-up between the two star fullbacks, Melbourne’s Ryan Papenhuyzen edged out Newcastle rival Kalyn Ponga.
Papenhuyzen was the energiser bunny for the Storm.
He also denied a certain Ponga try in the first half with a classic tackle on his own line.
Papenhuyzen is the perfect foil for Cameron Smith and Cameron Munster around the ruck.
He constantly pushes up on the ball while his speed is equally as potent as his smarts.
Ponga was still dangerous, especially in the second half with plenty of run metres and a try assist.
WILL SMITH EVER STOP PLAYING?
Is there an athlete in Australian sport that continues to get better with age like Storm skipper Cameron Smith?
Smith, 36, is off contract at season’s end, but he looks like he could keep playing until his 40s.
In fact, Fox League commentator Andrew Voss certainly believes the boy from Logan in Brisbane can extend his stellar career.
“Can he go another five seasons, Cameron?,” Voss declared.
Based on Smith’s current form, he can play for as long as his ageing body will allow him.
The NRL’s Tom Brady leads the league in try-assists while he continues to thrive physically for a bloke built like an accountant.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy believes Smith has earnt the right to hang up the boots when he is ready.
“If he asks for advice I’ll give him some, but he has done enough for our club and the game to go out when he thinks it is time to go out,” Bellamy said.
Fulltime MELBOURNE 26 (T Faasuamaleaui R Jacks B Smith S Vunivalu tries C Smith 5 goals) bt NEWCASTLE 12 (B Best E Lee tries K Ponga 2 goals) at Central Coast Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins.
LATRELL FIRES AS SOUTHS FINALLY CLICK INTO GEAR
—James Phelps
Wayne Bennett last night declared Latrell Mitchell would go on to become a fullback great after the star signing finally produced a Roosters like performance for Rabbitohs.
Scoring a try and setting up another three as the Rabbitohs thumped the Titans, Mitchell put on four big plays to show he can be a match winner at Redfern.
Beginning his first five-star performance for the Rabbitohs by scoring a try in the fourth minute, Mitchell fended and stepped his way past the Titans to set up the match finishing try and announce his Redfern arrival.
Having been criticised for turning the world’s best centre into a fullback, Bennett last night claimed that Mitchell would surpass his feats as a centre following his controversial switch to the back.
“The position suits him,” Bennett said.
“I am not going to put him in the front line because everyone can mark up on him pretty well. He did a great job as a centre but will do a better job as a fullback.
With a full-strength Rabbitohs side going on a first half blitz that buried the Titans, Mitchell showed enough to suggest he could follow in the footsteps of Greg Inglis and make the No.1 jersey his own.
Bennett declared that jersey already belonged to Mitchell with the supercoach taking swipe at those that had been critical of the positional switch.
“The only opinion thaht matters aft this stage of is life is mine,”, Bennett said.
ONLY A TASTE
Mitchell declared his best was still to come after re-finding his form to finally star for the Rabbitohs.
Scoring his first try since defecting from the Roosters in the off-season’s most controversial move, Mitchell crashed over the line in the 4th minute to bag his first four-pointer for the Rabbitohs before going on to set-up another three.
“It wasn’t my best,’’ Mitchell said.
“I’m still getting used to it. The boys are enjoying training and we’re building combinations. The last two weeks we’ve gone up against top-end teams, and we’re getting a bit of confidence out of our game.”
Mitchell was beaming after finally delivering for his new club.
“I’m happy,” Mitchell said.
“Not too many things have gone my way the last four or five months. It’s only on me. I’ve seen everyone in the media have an opinion on me. It’s up to me to change that. I’m enjoying myself. I’ve changed my attitude towards being at home, being around my kids and being a dad, and growing up in those areas makes me perform and happy.’
FULL STRENGTH
Keeping his kicking restricted to the football field, Walker provided the Rabbitohs with the class they have been missing since the COVID resumption. Returning from a two-week suspension for street fighting, the star No.6 was solid if not spectacular in his first game since a video featuring him kicking a man emerged. Taking the heat of Adam Reynolds and providing a foil for Mitchell, Walker’s mere presence makes South a far more formidable force.
THE UNWANTED
The two players the Titans didn’t want had a field day at Bankwest with both Alex Johnston and Dane Gagai scoring as the Rabbitohs ran riot. Both offered separately to the Titans as part of a swap deal for Arrow, both wingers impressed as the real Rabbitohs finally clawed their way from the burrow. Reportedly shopped to almost every club in the NRL, Johnston scored his 86th try for Souths to continue a resurgence in form. Gagai killed off the Titans and sealed the win when he scored in the 75th minute to bad his double.
BURGESS’ HAIR APPARENT
Wayne Bennett won’t want Jai Arrow to change too much – other than is haircut. Facing the club he will be playing for next year with what looked like a dead animal super-glued to his head, Arrow was one of the Titans few shining lights. A tough as teak backrower with balls skills to boot, Arrow will join the Rabbitohs next year as Sam Burgess long term replacement. Arrow cost his future club at least two tries yesterday with the Queensland backrower’s goal-line defence stopping South’s twice.
NO CHOCOLATES FOR JUSTIN
Justin Holbrook’s first NRL win celebration was cut short when the NRL’s slumbering giant South Sydney awoke for a first 40 blitz. Having celebrated last week’s win over the Tigers with a glass of wine and chocolate, Holbrook would have instead been looking for the punching bag after the Gold Coast conceded over 20 points for the 16th game in a row. And despite a second half comeback, all the damage was done in the first half with South Sydney racing in 26 points to punish an error riddle start.
BIG WHACK
It might have looked spectacular but Jaydn Su’A faces a nervous wait after being placed on report for a shoulder charge. Colliding with Titans forward Sam Lisone in the 72nd minute as the Titans threatened the line, Su’A rocked Bankwest Stadium with a hit that was deemed to be illegal.
Fulltime SOUTH SYDNEY 32 (D Gagai 2 B Burns A Johnston L Mitchell tries A Reynolds 6 goals) bt GOLD COAST 12 (B Cartwright P Sami tries A Taylor 2 goals) at Bankwest Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin.