NRL Agenda: Stefano Utoikamanu try reveals dangerous new double movement interpretation
It appears we have a new rule in the NRL, with a headscratching interpretation of the double movement on full display in Round 2, with this Stefano Utoikamanu ‘try’.
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From a side that promised the world but has failed to deliver, to concussion controversies and NRL expansion, we run the rule over the big talking points in rugby league.
DOUBLE MOVEMENT CONFUSION
It appears we have a new rule in the NRL, at least a new, head scratching, interpretation of one - the double movement.
The bunker ruled that even though Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu had promoted the ball forward, momentum took him over the line.
It’s always been known, at least to pundits, that as soon as the ball is promoted forward, it’s a no try. Not anymore.
The NRL really has two options here, to admit to was the wrong call by the bunker or use the interpretation in Sunday’s game moving forward.
Thankfully for the Knights, the head scratching decision, did not rob them of a hard fought win over the Tigers.
FAMILIAR FACES TO TAKE ON BRONCOS
Veteran No.7 Adam Reynolds has already claimed the scalps of Nathan Cleary and Chad Townsend, and will be gunning for Ben Hunt’s this weekend.
If the Dragons want their man Hunt to come out on top, they better turn up to Suncorp Stadium prepared to bash the Broncos into submission.
St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin and Hunt take on former side Brisbane in what will be a true test for the Dragons’ remarkable turnaround since the Charity Shield.
Both Griffin and Broncos coach Kevin Walters were handed pre-season salvage jobs, and so far, both men, and their sides, have exceeded expectations.
Everyone scoffed at Griffin when he labelled the side’s hapless Mudgee against South Sydney showing as easy fix ‘system errors’. Maybe he was right.
Or maybe, finally, the Red V big men stood up to be counted and dominated the middle through sheer hard running against the Titans.
Now they face a tougher test in a Broncos pack led by Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan.
The Broncos have been a defensive powerhouse to start the season, while the Dragons, orchestrated by Hunt, have found their mojo in attack.
The result will come down to which of the wily halfbacks can orchestrate victory.
ALL THE GEAR, NO IDEA
There‘s no way Wests Tigers fans went into the season thinking their first competition points could, realistically, come from a bye in round 7.
Frustrated fans can’t let the headlines from the aftermath of David Klemmer‘s clash with former player Jackson Hastings distract from this side’s harsh reality — their attack is no better than it was as wooden spooners.
Even with all their big name recruiting, and three-time premiership winner Api Koroisau at the ruck, the Tigers’ attack doesn’t look to have improved on their measly two-try average per game last season.
If they can’t find any improvements against Canterbury on Sunday, the new-era Tigers are facing a familiar predicament, anchored at the bottom of the ladder.
It doesn‘t get any easier, they then face Melbourne, Brisbane and the Eels.
They scored two tries last week, and were lucky to clock two on the scoreboard against Newcastle, even though they were tackled 46 tackles in the Knights’ red zone.
We were promised an attacking brand of football, with shades of title-winning 2005 season.
Instead the Tigers’ attack has only spluttered and struggled in the first two rounds of 2023.
At times, their attack appeared to have no shape or direction. The ball was finding flat-footed or players that weren’t pushing on the ball on a shift.
Even Koroisau looked out of his depth. He pushed an offload giving away possession and fluffed a last-kick play with a poor kick.
FAIR DINKUM EXPANSION
If the NRL is fair dinkum about expanding into the Pacific, then it must give players from that region a proper shot at playing for the mooted team.
There must be a quota in the top-30 rosters for players local to either Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
Having a Pasifika team, based in Cairns, made purely of Australian or New Zealand born and developed players is a cynical approach to expansion into that region.
And one that doesn’t do enough to leave a genuine footprint in the Islands, even if the Australian government is promising funding to help grow the game in the region.
If the NRL is going to profit from the rise of the influence, and participation of Pacific Islander players, through having a Pasifika team then the game should also be putting money back into the pockets of local players by ensuring they get a fair shot at an NRL contract.
Yes, NRL money already makes its way back to the Pacific with scores of players sending money to family members in their motherland.
And yes, a player like Jason Taumalolo is revered in his native home of Tonga despite being born and raised in New Zealand.
But this Pasifika team must showcase home grown talent.
The fans in the region deserve that, especially if the team isn’t going to be based in either the Islands or PNG.
And if there isn’t local talent good enough to be on an NRL contract, then now might not be the right time to have a Pasifika franchise.
TIME TO RETHINK HIAs
The NRL should rethink the mandatory 15 minutes a player must stay off the field, and how to treat foul play that forces a player for the field.
Tommy Talau copped a blow to his nose from a head-high tackle by Jackson Hastings, the Wests Tigers centre was forced from the field for a 15-minute HIA but Hastings stayed on. No penalty, no sin-bin but Talau, on the other hand, failed to return to the field.
Then there’s the matter of players cleared to return by doctors but being forced to sit out the entire 15 minutes.
An argument can be made to allow a player to return as soon as they are given the green light.
It’s one way that can help ensure a side isn’t disadvantaged by foul play that leads to an HIA, especially if the culprit can stay on the field.
The idea was originally floated by South Sydney centre Campbell Graham, and it has merit.
Let me be clear, this columnist would never advocate for less protection for players, in fact, the NRL is letting players down by not having a mandatory stand down when a player is ruled to have been concussed, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improving the process.
SUPERCOACH MUST HAVE: J’MAINE HOPGOOD
If you‘re one of the 40 per cent of Supercoaches who decided not to go with J’maine Hopgood, it’s time to reconsider that decision.
The new Parramatta lock forward has backed up a 101-point round one showing against Melbourne with 124 points against Cronulla, helped by two try assists, 43 tackles, one linebreak and a linebreak assist.
Hopgood also has a negative break even and is poised to become a cash cow for owners once price rises are activated after round three.
Ryan Matterson is set to return from suspension in round four, but Hopgood has shown Brad Arthur enough to keep his place in the starting side.
MARKET MOVER: WILL KENNEDY
Will Kennedy might not have a contract for season 2024, but with each game he has played his stocks are rising, helped by a hat-trick performance against Parramatta.
Cronulla is quietly confident he will re-sign, but the longer it takes, the greater the chance that a rival will snare the fullback, who has no doubt caught the attention of other suitors.
The Sharks have high hopes for the injured Kade Dykes, who is viewed as their long-term fullback, but that stance could cost them Kennedy.
IN THE FIRING LINE
Wayne Bennett already knew what Kalyn Ponga didn’t, that the Knights superstar isn’t a five-eighth.
But as it turns out, not for the fact that Bennett didn’t believe he’s a half but from what was witnessed on Sunday, Ponga’s propensity for head injuries.
Ponga’s switch from fullback into the halves might be the right move for the Knights in the long run, but it’s looking like the wrong, and potentially dangerous, one for Ponga.
Ponga was knocked out in his first attempt on a tackle, trying to take down Tigers forward Asu Kepaoa.
Playing at fullback Ponga suffered four concussions in 10 months, three of which happened in a six-week period and prematurely ended his 2022 season.
Moving Ponga into the halves has only put him in the line of fire, where he is expected to do more tackling and defensive work.
While the head knock that led to his latest concussion was purely an accident, it raised questions about Ponga playing in a position where he will face plenty of traffic.
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