NRL live round 13: SuperCoach winners and losers from Roosters v Cowboys
The 10,000 SuperCoaches who sold Terrell May in round nine are no doubt regretting it. TOM SANGSTER wraps Sunday’s NRL SuperCoach action.
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The day started in rather tense fashion with James Tedesco ruled out for the Roosters after being called into Origin camp.
But it ended with smiles on the faces of many SuperCoaches with a host of popular players going large at a soggy Allianz.
Tom Sangster wraps Sunday’s SuperCoach action.
WINNERS
* Terrell May (110) - The 10,000 SuperCoaches who sold in round nine are no doubt regretting it. May has scored two tons since then, today’s including a try and nine tackle busts. Got big game time following the injury to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (hamstring).
* Scott Drinkwater (107) - With six Origin players out, Drinky was the main man for the Cowboys and delivered for a quarter of SuperCoaches, for many as captain. Kicked goals with Valentine Holmes on Queensland duty.
* Sam Walker (91) - Typical Walker performance. Only 17 points in base stats but produced a few moments of brilliance including two try assists and three linebreak assists as one of the most popular purchases of the week.
* Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (81) - Early-season cheapie notched the matchwinning try.
* Naufahu Whyte (50) - Most popular buy of the week played big minutes and produced a huge work rate. Does he keep the lock spot when Origin players are back? It would be a big call to move him.
LOSERS
* Joey Manu (54) - SuperCoaches were hoping for more after Manu switched to fullback following the injury to Tedesco. Had a try disallowed (correctly) for a double movement.
* James Tedesco (DNP) - Called into Origin camp following the injury to Dylan Edwards. Hopefully you changed your trade.
FULL-TIME: COWBOYS 18 DEFEAT ROOSTERS 16
Well that was a thriller.
Even minus all the Origin stars, the Roosters and Cowboys put on a show.
In the end, the difference was a late try to barnstorming North Queensland backrower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Scott Drinkwater was the attacking mastermind for the Cowboys and, crucially for SuperCoaches, also kicked goals.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves suffered a hamstring injury and could miss “a few weeks” for a high shot.
62ND MIN: DRINKY SCORES, WALKER SCARE
Plenty of SuperCoach action here.
Scott Drinkwater has crossed to get the Cowboys back into it, trailing 16-12.
Then shortly after the most popular buy this week Sam Walker went down following a knock to the midriff.
Walker recovered well thankfully, but there were some tense moments.
43RD MINUTE: NERVOUS WAIT FOR JWH
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has copped a double blow - a hamstring injury and possible suspension.
JWH hit Thomas Mikaele high in the first half and general consensus from the Fox commentary team is that he’s in significant trouble with the match review committee.
“It was high and dangerous, Jared would be a little bit worried about that,” said Blocker Roach.
“That’s a few weeks,” said Braith Anasta.
JWH also came off with a hamstring injury in the first half.
He has been cleared of major damage and will stay warm, but will only be used again if the Roosters need him.
HALF-TIME: ROOSTERS 14 LEAD COWBOYS 4
Sam Walker has come to life in the final 16 minutes off the half, setting up two tries to get the Roosters to a strong lead against the Cowboys.
Walker was at his ball-playing best to set up Terrell May and then Dominic Young.
Top SuperCoach performers:
* Terrell May (78) - Congratulations to those who held. A try and SIX tackles busts in the first half.
* Sam Walker (72) - Including two try assists and, as per, bascially no base.
* Dominic Young (47) - Scored a late try off Sammy Walker magic.
* Scott Drinkwater (44) - Set up Cowboys’ only try.
38TH MIN: JWH SET TO RETURN
The Roosters say Jared Waerea-Hargreaves suffered only “hamstring tightness” and not any damage.
He’s on the sideline keeping warm on a bike and the Roosters hope he will return.
26TH MIN: SUPERCOACH DUO COMBINE FOR FIRST TRY
Terrell May with the try, Sam Walker with the try assist.
It’s music to the ears of SuperCoaches in a low-scoring affair at a soggy Allianz.
Walker was the most purchased player this week, while May is still popular from early in the season.
The Roosters lead 8-nil.
22ND MIN: JWH OFF INJURED
This could be a huge blow for the Roosters.
Already without five Origin stars, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has limped off with a hamstring injury.
JWH has a history of hamstring issues and we’ll bring you the latest news as it comes to hand.
20TH MIN: SUPERCOACH STUDS STRUGGLE EARLY
While the score is nil-all and no big attacking stats have been on offer yet, a host of SuperCoach studs are in the action early.
Terrell May (18) is the top scorer, the most purchased player of the week Naufahu Whyte (17) is next, while Joey Manu (14) is enjoying more action at fullback in place of James Tedesco.
Worryingly though, Sam Walker (2) and Scott Drinkwater (8) have barely troubled the scorers.
LATE MAIL: COWBOYS FORCED INTO LATE CHANGE
Late Mail is in and the Cowboys have been forced into a change.
Tomas Chester is a late out due to a hamstring injury with Jaxon Purdue coming into the side for his debut at centre.
The Roosters are exactly as we predicted.
James Tedesco (called into Origin camp) is replaced at fullback by Joey Manu with Michael Jennings coming into the centres and Blake Steep to debut from the bench.
ROOSTERS
4. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 17. Michael Jennings 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Nat Butcher 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte
Bench: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Siua Wong 16. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Blake Steep
Reserves: 18. Zach Dockar-Clay
Players cut: 1. James Tedesco 20. Ethan King 21. Jake Elliott 22. Delasalle Vaa
COWBOYS
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 22. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Jake Granville 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Thomas Mikaele
Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Jamal Shibasaki 17. Jason Taumalolo
Reserves: 19. Thomas Duffy
Players cut: 3. Tomas Chester 18. Kaiden Lahrs 20. Marly Bitungane 21. Jai Hansen
EARLIER ...
Hello and welcome to our rolling coverage of Sunday’s NRL clash between the Roosters and Cowboys.
The big news is that James Tedesco has been withdrawn for the Roosters. He has joined NSW Origin camp in place of the injured Dylan Edwards.
This means the fullback slot will be filled by Joey Manu, who has averaged close to a ton in the position over his career (removing injury-affected games).
It’s a horrid day in Sydney so expect wet weather football from two depleted sides.
Both teams are missing five Origin stars with the Roosters missing Tedesco, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Lindsay Collins
The Cowboys are missing Reece Robson, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai.
More SuperCoach players to watch:
* Sam Walker HFB $685,200 - Walker is the half to target this week. Walker has a 5RA of 90.4 and is clearly in great form. His recent pattern is a worry though with his last five scores reading 172, 40, 95, 45, 100.
If you follow that line Walker is due a sub-50 stinker this week. But see above re his opposition being severely weakened.
* Naufahu Whyte 2RF/FRF $379,300 - Third-most popular buy. Whyte started at lock last week and in his first game of over 40 minutes he returned a very impressive 73 points (51 in base and 14 in tackle breaks).
He has retained the starting spot this week even with Nat Butcher back, while Angus Crichton, Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu (Origin) and Egan Butcher (ACL) are out.
I’m prepared to wait and watch in round 13 then if Whyte is selected to start at lock again come round 15 he might move into the ‘buy’ list.
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