NRL SuperCoach round 16: Trent Copeland’s captaincy analysis
IT feels like an eternity since we were last having to ponder the captaincy selection for our SuperCoach franchises, but this week presents some incredibly high upside plays coming off rep weekend.
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IT feels like an eternity since we were last having to ponder the captaincy selection for our SuperCoach — presented by hipages — franchises, but this week presents some incredibly high upside plays, some safe gun options and some risky plays coming off the rep weekend.
Each week I will delve into the stats that stick out, the best match-ups, form and even sometimes a gut feel to find you the best skippers of the week.
Without further ado …
VC OPTIONS
Gareth Widdop 5/8 (Dragons) vs. Eels
Any attacking player coming up against the lowly ranked Eels is worth a shot with the VC, but particularly a goal kicking, attacking maestro such as Widdop who has shown proven 150+ point upside this season. Now the caveat here is that he is backing up from the Denver test against New Zealand and is no guarantee to actually play — so check up on late mail on the hipages LIVE Countdown show! No.1 option if he takes the field.
Shaun Johnson HFB (Warriors) vs. Sharks
The only reason SJ isn’t my number one option ahead of Widdop is the opposition. The superstar halfback from across the “Dutch” has been in stellar form all season, averaging 72.4PPG with incredible consistency — scoring over 74 points in SIX of eight matches played so far. The concern as I mentioned is the Sharks, who are equal with the Dragons as the hardest teams for HFB-eligible players to score against. If there’s anyone who can buck that trend though it’s SJ at Mt Smart.
Viliame Kikau 2RF (Panthers) vs. Sea Eagles
This is a bit of a speculative call given my #SuperCoachCrush since all the way back as early as the World Cup in Vili Kikau has been out with a knee injury for three weeks. But the upside of him starting on an edge against a Sea Eagles outfit that is not only down on troops, sitting just two points from last in the NRL, but also has four of its best players (Trbojevic x 2, Taupau and Fonua-Blake) backing up from rep round. Eighty-minute Kikau has sky-high upside, averaging in advance of 60PPG — exactly what you need when contemplating the VC choice.
Other options … Blake Ferguson, James Tedesco, Cameron Munster, Tohu Harris.
COPES’ CAPTAINS
Nathan Cleary HFB (Panthers) vs. Sea Eagles
Cleary is undoubtedly part of the elite group of SuperCoach players when he has the goal-kicking duties in tow, and that is exactly what is rumoured to be happening this weekend. Cleary is averaging 79.5PPG in the games he has kicked goals this year, and against the Sea Eagles (this week’s opponent) he has played four matches for an average of 75.3PPG with a high score of 105 points. Given the match-up, I would have very little hesitation in making the straight C choice on Cleary.
Kalyn Ponga FLB (Knights) v Bulldogs
If you weren’t aware, the No.1 overall pointscorer through 15 rounds of SuperCoach is … You guessed it, Kalyn Ponga! With 1081 points (an average of 72.1PPG), 117 points the last time he played and fresh off a super Origin debut there really is nothing this kid can’t do. The Bulldogs are without Aaron Woods, without Moses Mbye, without Kieran Foran — are you getting the gist? The match-up simply couldn’t be better and I’m fully expecting a monster score.
Cameron Smith HOK (Storm) v Roosters
The GOAT himself is always in the captaincy discussion, but this week in particular I went looking for players that were unaffected by any of the representative games and naturally it was hard to find many top-notch guns. Then I gave myself an uppercut and recalled the fact that Smith was no longer playing Origin and would be very well rested. Given he also carries a three-round average of, wait for it, 101PPG with scores of 123, 106 and 74 I would’ve thought he was a nice choice regardless!
Other options … Nathan Brown, Ryan James, Angus Crichton, Damien Cook.
Good luck everyone, may the Orange Armband fall on the right man this week!