The NRL Tackle: Wests Tigers’ great hope shines for Fiji against the Cook Islands
Wests Tigers star Jahream Bula showed again why he’s one of the brightest talents in rugby league, playing a key part in Fiji’s win over the Cook Islands.
NRL
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New Zealand’s whopping victory over Samoa in the Pacific Championship sets up a blockbuster trans-Tasman clash with Australia on Saturday night.
It’s been almost a year since the two sides met in the semi finals of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, and it’s a shame the International calendar has made fans wait this long for a replay.
If you include Saturday’s game, the juggernauts of International rugby league have played just four times in the past six years, which is well below the frequency we used to expect from the Kangaroos and Kiwis.
Covid affected seasons played their part, but in the six years prior to 2018 they played 11 times, including a Four Nations tournament, a World Cup, and mid-year and end-of-season Tests.
The Pacific nations deserve to play more games and that should be addressed, but the Kangaroos and Kiwis also need to be on our screens more or they risk losing relevance to fans.
DISLIKES
If Michael Maguire is to take over the NSW Origin job as expected, he’s just learned a valuable lesson about the importance of team sheets and interchanges.
The New Zealand coach attempted to make a late change to his line up for Saturday’s Test against Samoa, well after the one hour cut-off time prior to kick off.
Kieran Foran was initially named on the bench with Fa’amanu Brown to start at hooker, but the pair switched to start the game.
Because Maguire missed the deadline, it counted as an interchange and the Kiwis started one down.
Fox Sports commentator Michael Ennis noted Maguire was in a heated conversation with an official in the sheds ahead of the team running onto the field, and once the mix up was revealed it made sense.
The bungled teamsheet didn’t have an impact in the end given the Kiwis’ incredible 50-0 thrashing, but it was a brush with danger that he’d rather avoid come Origin time.
Former NSW coach Brad Fittler was heavily criticised for his handling of interchange rotations during his time in the role, and Saturday‘s error is a timely scare for Maguire to avoid disaster in the future.
MORE HIP DROP DRAMA
Sydney Roosters and Kiwis forward Amelia Pasikala was taken from the field in a medicab with a nasty broken leg in Saturday’s Pacific Championships in Auckland after another horror tackle.
Tongan forward Ilaisaane Taufa was sent off for the dangerous action, which has been referred directly to the NRL Judiciary.
While there’s no intention in the nasty tackle, the issue within the women’s game is the ongoing development of tackle techniques with emerging athletes as they gather game experience.
However, it needs to be coached out of the game to eradicate it.
The NRL is actively working on the issue, which saw 14 players charged and a further five hit with concerning act charges across the nine rounds of the NRLW season this year.
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BRIGHTER DAYS FOR COWBOYS
After a disappointing season in 2023, North Queensland coach Todd Payten will have plenty of decisions to make about his forward pack next year.
But he’ll have no shortage of options.
The quality of rising talent at the Cowboys is the envy of several NRL clubs, and some of it was on show across the weekend.
The club’s rookie of the year, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, made his debut for Tonga A on Saturday and was one of the standouts in a 36-26 loss to the Kiwis A side.
The 19-year-old scored a try and had plenty of energy on his edge for Tonga, showing signs he’s ready for another big season with the Cowboys after playing 12 games this season.
Despite the huge scoreline, fellow Cowboys second-rower Helium Luki was just as impressive for Samoa.
The 22-year-old made 40 tackles against a rampaging Kiwis team. Expect the pair to ramp up the pressure on first choice duo Luciano Leilua and Jeremiah Nanai for a starting spot again in the pre-season.
With 22-year-old prop Griffin Neame also making his debut for New Zealand, the club has the makings of a young and powerful pack in years to come.
STILL GOT IT
There’s still a fire burning within Esan Marsters to come back to the NRL.
On Sunday he took his shot to prove he still has it.
The former Titans, Cowboys and Tigers centre was a surprise standout for Cook Islands in their 22-18 loss to Fiji in Port Moresby while playing the unfamiliar position of halfback.
It’s not overstating it to say he stunned.
He scored a try and set up two others, to go with eight tackle-breaks, three linebreak assists, three offloads and a linebreak to get his team dangerously close to an upset.
The 27-year-old only played a handful of games in his last few seasons in the NRL before joining Huddersfield in the Super League this year.
Earlier this week he said he wanted to use his platform in the Pacific Championships to show he’s still got it, and judging on Sunday’s performance, he might be right.
ROOKIE STARS AGAIN
The RLPA’s rookie of the year, Wests Tigers star Jahream Bula, showed again why he’s one of the brightest talents in the NRL on Sunday.
He pulled Fiji out of danger against the Cook Islands with another impressive performance at fullback with a clever solo try, 186 running metres, six tackle breaks and two line-breaks in a 22-18 win.
It’s scary to think he can still get better.
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