NRL round 4: Queensland team of the week, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui a future Origin captain
Queensland has unearthed a future State of Origin captain, a “follow me lads’’ leader the Maroons must consider when Daly Cherry-Evans’ retires.
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Far away from the spotlight of the Broncos-Dolphins derby lies the heartening news that Queensland may have unearthed a future State of Origin captain.
Great captains stand out in adversity and Gold Coast’s Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, though just 23, is becoming a shining example of the type of “follow me lads’’ leader the Maroons must consider when Daly Cherry-Evans’ career ends.
Maroon captains don’t have to deliver Churchillian speeches. They just have to get stuck in as the likes of Tino and fellow leadership candidate Cameron Munster do in style.
In a Titans team beaten 24-12 by the Cowboys Fa’asuamaleaui made 174 metres from 21 runs as he tried to carry his team across the line.
It included 63 post contact metres as he ploughed through the line like a four wheel drive stuck in first gear.
Despite the loss, fellow Titans David Fifita and Alofiana Khan-Pereira join Fa’asuamaleaui in our team of the week after another dazzling effort on the wing from Khan-Pereira featured exceptional footwork, occasionally from standing starts.
Bronco Kotoni Staggs, whose dramatic match winning try stole the show in the derby, is back in the form that made him a State of Origin player and he will be watched closely by Blues coach Brad Fittler.
He was an easy choice as our centre partner for Valentine Holmes who scored a runaway try of his own.
Despite their win over the Titans, the Cowboys still don’t look like the team they were last season though halves Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend have won selection after solid games.
In form fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has won selection with another rousing performance for the Dolphins. For four rounds he has been as bankable as a bet on the sun rising each morning.
After just one sighting, Dolphins legend Chris Close said The Hammer’s reliability reminded him of Redcliffe legend Ian “Bunny’’ Pearce and nothing has challenged that view in the three games since.
The Hammer, recruited from the Cowboys, is one of the competition’s best buys, showing poised and precision in defence as well as his remarkable attacking gifts.
Kurt Capewell (Broncos) had some trying moments in the derby but his runaway try enabled him to slip into the backrow while metre-eating prop Payne Haas was an automatic selection on the back of his sustained excellence.
BRISBANE BRONCOS PLAYER RATINGS
1. REECE WALSH - Dangerous as dynamite. Showcased equal measures of grit and glamour, setting up two tries. His crunching trysaver on Tesi Niu was magnificent, but his late error was a blemish. 8
2. JESSE ARTHARS - Corey Oates’ replacement is more than holding his own. Scored the opening try and ran fearlessly at the Dolphins for 148 metres, but bombed a four-pointer when he failed to draw the fullback. 7
3. KOTONI STAGGS - The Battle of Brisbane hero. Recaptured his tackle-busting best, played physical and capped his best game in two years with a matchwinning try on his way to 217 metres. 8.5
4. HERBIE FARNWORTH - Three handling errors but still threatened the Dolphins with his rangy frame, amassing 141 metres and two tackle busts. Worked hard in defence with 19 tackles. 7
5. SELWYN COBBO - A hot-and-cold display from Cobbo who scored a try and produced a Broncos-best six tackle busts, but also switched off at critical moments. 6.5
6. EZRA MAM - Came into the derby with a knee injury and struggled to deliver his razor-sharp runs. Just one run for four metres in a bash-and-barge forward battle. 5
7. ADAM REYNOLDS - Made three errors, including one early pass which sailed into touch, but made amends when it mattered with a superb ball for Kurt Capewell’s crucial 45-metre solo try. 7
8. TOM FLEGLER - Largely well contained by the Dolphins forwards with the Tully tearaway managing just 70 metres from eight runs with no offloads. Struggled to get into the game. 5.5
9. BILLY WALTERS - Absorbed the early heat and almost burrowed over for a try in the opening exchanges. Just one missed tackle in a sound display. 6
10. PAYNE HAAS - Brisbane’s front-row banker was a deserved winner of the inaugural Battle Medal with 151 metres, four tackle busts and three offloads. Made some huge runs late with the game in the balance. 8.5
11. KURT CAPEWELL - Missed six tackles and dropped one ball cold on the Dolphins tryline, but made amends after the break with 35 tackles and the solo try that edged Brisbane home. 7
12. JORDAN RIKI - Always busy in defence with 31 tackles but his three runs for 27 metres underlines why he needs more punch in attack. His workrate can never be questioned. 6.5
13. PAT CARRIGAN - Brisbane’s ironman waged a thrilling battle with Tom Gilbert and almost split the Dolphins open in the first half. Midfield mainstay who held Brisbane tight with 31 tackles. 7
14. CORY PAIX - Played 37 minutes off the bench and tried to lift Brisbane’s energy with his pace, but lacked the dummy-half thrust he showed a week earlier against the Dragons. 5
15. KEENAN PALASIA - No dam-busting moments in a 22-minute shift but was mistake free and provided able support for Brisbane’s big guns. 4
16. COREY JENSEN - The perfect bench performance with ‘Mudcrab’ punching out 123 metres and 18 tackles in just 38 minutes of action. Some of his second-half charges were inspirational. 7
17. MARTIN TAUPAU - His decade of experience and hulking size were vital in a rough-and-tumble derby. Every bench needs a big bopper and Taupau has become a handy member of Brisbane’s top 17. 6.5
TOTAL: 112
DOLPHINS PLAYER RATINGS
1. HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW - Another sensational performance from the Dolphins’ constantly improving fullback who was their most threatening player. Has scored in all four games this season and racked up 182m from 18 runs to go with four tackle busts. 8
2. JAMAYNE ISAAKO - Has turned around his career this year and was one of the Dolphins’ top performers. Made 160m from 18 runs, busted five tackles and kicked two goals. 7.5
3. EUAN AITKEN - Mr Reliable hasn’t put a foot wrong and did a good job on Kotoni Staggs until the final minutes. Made 18 tackles, the most of any Dolphins back, and 100m. 6
4. BRENKO LEE - Had a mostly solid game with 13 runs for 105m before a defensive brain snap allowed Adam Reynolds to put Kurt Capewell over for a crucial try. 5
5. TESI NIU - Produced a cracking try-saver on Selwyn Cobbo in the opening minutes but injured his knee in the process. Scores extra points for bravely battling on for the rest of the game despite being clearly restricted. 6
21. ANTHONY MILFORD - Brought into the team for injured five-eighth Isaiya Katoa and took his time warming into the contest. Kicked well and a sublime grubber for Tabuai-Fidow to score was shades of the old Milford, but he has lost his zip and spark. His bullet grubber which Staggs pounced on for the winning try was a questionable play. 6
7. SEAN O’SULLIVAN - Was controlling the Dolphins’ attack well and made 17 tackles without missing one before suffering a pec injury in the second half which could sideline him long-term. His absence hurt the Dolphins. 7
8. JESSE BROMWICH - Fantastic captain’s knock in the middle from the Kiwi great who led the way for the Dolphins with 14 runs for 133m in his 299th NRL game. 7
17. MASON TEAGUE - Thrust into starting hooker in just his third NRL game, Teague did his best. Finished with 24 tackles and made three runs (23m). He’s a star of the future. 5.5
18. POASA FAAMAUSILI - Made his first appearance for the Dolphins as Felise Kaufusi’s replacement. Pulled off a couple of solid tackles, but his five runs for 36m was a poor return. 5
10. KENNY BROMWICH - Showed up younger rival Jordan Riki with a beautiful shimmy and made two offloads. Was busy all night, making 12 runs for 74m, but couldn’t find the killer blow. 6
12. CONNELLY LEMUELU - Has been one of the finds of the year for the Dolphins. The Cowboys recruit has the ability to break the line and should have backed himself on the stroke of half-time. Finished with 12 runs for 94m and 24 tackles. 7
13. TOM GILBERT - The hard-hitting lock got stuck into the Broncos. Worked hard all night and even chased Kotoni Staggs for 100m at the death. Made a team-high 33 tackles and 110m, but his poor handling continues to let him down. 8
9. KODI NIKORIMA - Was only on the field a few minutes before a heavy head clash with Gilbert saw him needing multiple stitches. No Rating.
14. JARROD WALLACE - Produced one of his trademark barge over tries from close range and racked up the most runs (15), and offloads (four) of any forward for 121m. Excellent impact from the bench. 8
15. MARK NICHOLLS - The reliable prop was once again solid off the bench with 14 runs for 113m and his “Phin of God” to stop Selwyn Cobbo from scoring was a stunning play. 7
16. RAY STONE - Plugged gaps all over the field for the undermanned Dolphins, made 21 tackles and helped Wallace get over the line. 6
TOTAL 105
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