NRL 2022: Jake Trbojevic stars in NSW return, Bunker fails Cameron Murray | The Tackle
Unfairly dropped for Game I, Jake Trbojevic was the best forward on the park for NSW in Game II and Brad Fittler owes him an apology, writes PAUL CRAWLEY.
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Welcome to a special representative round version of The Tackle — State of Origin is just the start.
Young guns have given coaches across the NRL plenty of food for thought following glittering displays.
Meanwhile, we’ve had a genuine try of the year contender that lit up NSW’s victory in the women’s State of Origin, and countless reminders of why we can’t sacrifice the mid-season representative round in future years.
Stream the FOX LEAGUE State of Origin Game 2 REPLAY on Kayo with no ads during-play. Both full and condensed replays available from 10:45PM AEST Sunday. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
DISLIKES
WHERE IS THE BUNKER WHEN YOU NEED IT?
It’s madness that the independent doctor can come in and make the call to send Cameron Murray off for a concussion test.
But the bunker totally ignores the high tackle from Murray Taulagi that did the damage.
The moment it happened it was as clear as crystal it was a high shot and worthy of a penalty. And the blood that immediately flowed from the side of Murray’s face was a dead giveaway.
Thank goodness Murray passed his HIA test and was allowed to return.
WHY IT’S TIME TO HIT PAUSE ON NRL COMP
It’s time to hit pause on the entire NRL competition during the season and fast track a proper rep window to incorporate a tournament for the Pacific Nations that reflects State of Origin.
The development of the international game deserves more than the token gesture it is currently getting.
And the biggest negative coming out of the weekend is that these mid-season Pacific Nations Tests are all one-off.
It is just not fair that we can fit three men’s Origins into the middle of an NRL season, but not do the same for the growing core of NRL players to celebrate their heritage.
When Origin first kicked off in 1980 there were not nearly as many players with Pasifika nation heritage in the competition as today.
Now they make up close to 50 per cent of the entire NRL population.
To put the domestic comp on hold would be a massive decision by the governing body, and it might mean reducing the amount of rounds in the NRL competition.
But as it is the NRL draw is not fair because teams don’t play each other twice, so surely there is a way to make it better for everyone concerned.
However it is done the NRL needs to find a way to treat the development of the Pacific nations more fairly.
Back when Origin was born it came out of the need to reignite the relevance of interstate rugby league.
At the time the big Sydney clubs didn’t want a bar of it, but from a one off game it has grown to be what it is today.
Well, times have changed, and today we have hit another fork in the road.
You just have to look at the power and emotion of what the Pacific nations bring to rugby league.
It is just so infectious, and that is where the future now lies.
From the war cries, to the singing in the crowd, unashamed tears from these mighty warriors and the general passion that all the players and the fans have for their nations.
The NRL needs to build on it, not reduce it next year, start giving it priority treatment.
I know we have the World Cup every four years, but Origin happens every year — for three games during the season.
Why don’t Pacific nations get the same respect?
WOMEN’S ORIGIN NEEDS THREE GAMES, NOT TWO
How could anyone possibly think a two-game Women’s State of Origin series next year is the way to go?
It would just be a farce if they finish one-all and NSW retain the trophy because the Blues won the previous year.
Just make it three games and get on with it.
Surely the quality of Friday night’s match proved they are worth it.
What another wonderful spectacle it was, right down to the thrilling final minutes when a late try to Isabelle Kelly secured the win.
JUDICIARY FARCE MARS KUMULS’ WIN
Papua New Guinea’s win over Fiji was just about the highlight of the weekend, but let’s be fair dinkum about one thing.
How did McKenzie Yei escape the sin bin for his dangerous throw on Mikaele Ravalawa, and to top it off the match review panel then determines a warning is sufficient punishment?
If that happened in NRL imagine the blow up.
Seriously, this wasn’t intentional but it was incredibly dangerous and it was pure luck Ravalawa didn’t suffer a terrible injury. The fact a penalty is deemed sufficient just makes a mockery of the entire process.
LIKES
UNSUNG BLUES HERO FREDDY OWES AN APOLOGY
He was the unsung hero of NSW’s stunning Origin II victory, and the player Blues coach Brad Fittler owes an apology.
The biggest selection blunder Fittler made going into game one was overlooking Jake Trbojevic.
But instead of whinge, the tough Manly lock took it on the chin and when he got his recall he went out and showed everyone why he should have been there in the first place.
It was a performance that encapsulated everything that Origin stands for, and just highlighted why the Blues should never take this bloke for granted again.
Trbojevic’s inspirational effort has been largely overlooked in the wake of Nathan Cleary’s masterclass in Perth.
But make no mistake, what he did for the Blues with his tireless work in the middle was like turning back the clock to when Trevor “The Axe” Gillmeister played a similar style role for Queensland.
Jake made the most metres of any forward with 17 runs for 135m, while clocking up 28 tackles with no misses (second only to Cam Murray’s 29).
While Cleary’s performance was rightfully rated up with the greatest ever seen be a playmaker at Origin level, Trbojevic’s was equally as important as you will see from a forward.
KAUFUSI SIN BIN THE RIGHT CALL
Good on referee Ashley Klein for making the tough call to sin bin Felise Kaufusi after repeated ruck infringements just before the break.
And it’s no use Queensland blowing up about it.
It came after three quick-fire set restarts left Klein with no option.
If you don’t want to be sin binned for repeated ruck infringements, don’t repeatedly infringe the ruck.
PASSION AND PRIDE FROM ALL PACIFIC NATIONS
If you ever need proof why international rugby league must be the pinnacle of our sport just go back and watch the pure emotion on display during all the pre-match ceremonies.
You could search the world over and you won’t find anything more inspiring than the look in Peta Hiku’s eyes as he led the Haka.
If that doesn’t make kids want to grow up dreaming of playing international rugby league nothing will.
The overall performance of New Zealand was sensational.
Cooper Cronk said before the match he wasn’t sure which pack he’d rather play behind, but it was the Kiwis’ spine of Joey Manu, Dylan Brown, Jahrome Hughes and Brandon Smith that was the biggest difference.
All had tremendous games but what about Manu at fullback with 27 runs for 302m. No wonder the Warriors wanted to pay him $1m a season to replace Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Just imagine if fullback was Manu’s fulltime job.
STORM YOUNG GUN ADDS TO KNIGHTS’ MISERY
Imagine what loyal Newcastle Knights fans must have been thinking watching Melbourne Storm young gun Jonah Pezet led the way in NSW’s win in the male under 19s match.
Pezet was born on the Central Coast and in the Knights’ system before the Storm came knocking.
At the start of the year Melbourne tipped he might get an NRL game about now during Origin.
But instead Pezet used this match to announce his arrival, setting up four tries that has now made him the hottest young player yet to play NRL.
Pezet is signed at the Storm until the end of 2023 but you’d imagine he won’t want to spend too many more years waiting behind Jahrome Hughes.
You can only imagine what the Knights would have to pay to get him back.
ANOTHER FIJIAN FLYER ANNOUNCES HIS ARRIVAL
It’s just about impossible trying to put a limit on the standout performances we saw over the weekend.
Justin Olam and Lachie Lam were absolutely outstanding for the Kumuls, but on a losing team young Fijian fullback Sunia Turuva was arguably the best on ground.
The young Panther had 24 runs for 229m and finished with two tries, pulled an amazing try saving tackle, while his runs out of his own end just highlighted what a courageous player this 19-year-old is.
It also again highlights the astonishing talent that is out there just looking for an opportunity at NRL level.
YOU HAD TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT
What about Jada Taylor’s phenomenal 110m try in the women’s under 19 match.
From her own in goal the young Roosters fullback raced straight past four Queensland defenders and into the highlights reels for years to come.
Our mate Buzz Rothfield reckons more than 1.3 million people have already viewed it online from around the world.
Again, it just goes to show how much rugby league talent is out there. All these kids ever need is a chance to showcase their incredible skills.
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Originally published as NRL 2022: Jake Trbojevic stars in NSW return, Bunker fails Cameron Murray | The Tackle
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