NRL SuperCoach: 10 things we learned from round 13

JASON Taumalolo goes large, the most popular player flops spectacularly and a shock cheapie does the business.

Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys.

JASON Taumalolo goes large, the most popular player flops spectacularly and a shock cheapie does the business.

Here are the 10 things we learned from round 13 of SuperCoach NRL — presented by hipages.

1 Matt Moylan flops as most purchased player

The Cronulla recruit went into the round as the hottest player in SuperCoach after last week producing one of the great NRL performances, equalling the NRL record of six try assists. However, the purchase of the notoriously inconsistent Moylan came with a serious warning after he scored just nine points a fortnight before. He managed to beat that mark — just — against the Rabbitohs in a 12 point shocker. A sin bin, two missed tackles and error didn’t help.

2 If you didn’t loop Lolo, you bombed

It was a week of the have and have nots. If you vice captained or captained Jason Taumalolo on Thursday night, you likely surged through the rankings. If you took a punt on a POD, you likely plummeted. Taumalolo (116) produced his best game of the year so far, playing the full 80 minutes, busting a massive 10 tackles, offloading three times and making 25 runs in a man of the match performance.

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Jason Taumalolo produced his best game of the year.

3 Shock cheapie goes large

Enari Tuala surged through the most-purchased list in the pre-game following his unexpected selection as starting centre for the Cowboys, ending the week as the second most purchased player. He produced on the hype. The try was a cherry on top, but the most impressive part of Tuala’s display was the 50 points in pure base stats — almost unheard of for a centre. Tuala will be the most purchased player this week, albeit $43,500 more expensive. John Olive also looms as strong cheapie, but has only played one week and is therefore more of a purchase for next round.

Enari Tuala (4) scored his first NRL try.

4 Sione Katoa finally gets a start

The early season cheapie remains the most popular centre/wing in SuperCoach and those who held through the broken jaw and run in NSW Cup were handsomely rewarded. Katoa was a shock late inclusion for the Sharks following the injury to Josh Dugan (stress fractures in the leg) and he went on to display the SuperCoach potential that made him such a popular buy early in the year, notching 55 points (including a try). Katoa will likely lose his spot this week to Valentine Holmes, who returns from Origin duty.

5 Ryan Matterson was a late withdrawal … again

Matto’s withdrawal due to concussion — for the second week in a row — was a huge blow for SuperCoaches given he is the second most-owned CTW and 10th most-owned player overall. And all this from a falcon two weeks ago. Matterson is expected to be right for the coming round.

6 Jack Gosiewski out for 6 weeks

It’s time to sell early-season cheapie Jack Gosiewski, who has been ruled out for six weeks with a broken arm. The Gos provided a crucial 23 points on the weekend but can now be turned into a keeper, or Enari Tuala or John Olive for those with dual flexibility between the back row and centre/wing.

Jack Gosiewski taken from the field with a broken arm.

7 Is JT back???

Johnathan Thurston is in the midst of his worst SuperCoach season ever but he showed a glimpse of his past powers with 67 against the Sea Eagles. He also had a try disallowed, which would have pushed his score above the 80 mark. Despite Thurston and the Cowboys’ horror show this year, JT has still managed to score the third most points of any halfback and his Origin retirement makes him a valuable asset over the next month.

8 Farah’s blast from the past

Remember that time when Robbie Farah rivalled Cameron Smith as the best hooker in SuperCoach? When Farah was actually the best hooker at his club? Well, Farah showed a glimpse of his former SuperCoach studdery with 84 points against the Sharks, including a massive 56 tackles and try assist.

9 Murray goes large at lock

Cameron Murray was one of the buzz buys of the pre and early season. But a succession of hamstring injuries ruined the party and he sat with a five-game average in the mid-40s prior to this game. However, with Angus Crichton on Origin duty and Sam Burgess switched to the edge, Murray started at lock and immediately produced the kind of performance we knew he was capable of. Murray played 62 minutes (his second highest total of the season) for 69 points (also his second highest total of the year).

10 Who will actually back up from Origin???

It’s almost impossible to speculate given teams are yet to be named and the Origin opener hasn’t been played, but here’s what we know. Tom and Jake Trbojevic are confirmed to back up provided they make it though Origin. They will fly to New Zealand immediately following Origin to take the field for the Sea Eagles in Christchurch. Of the 36 players aiming to back up, the Friday night players appear the most unlikely given the tight turnaround. This includes SuperCoach stars Jai Arrow, Damien Cook, Nathan Cleary and Angus Crichton as well as Josh Papalii, James Maloney, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Tyrone Peachey, Jarrod Wallace, Greg Inglis and Dane Gagai. Ben Hunt (cork), Jack De Belin (hip), James Roberts (achilles) and Josh McGuire (ankle) carried injuries into camp, while Billy Slater (hamstring) is no chance after being ruled out of Origin.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach: 10 things we learned from round 13