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NRL Live Round four Warriors v Knights, Sharks v Raiders: Scores and SuperCoach NRL analysis

The Iro name is steeped in rugby league folklore, and the latest in the line has proven he belongs in the top grade. Find out all the SuperCoach winners and losers from Easter Sunday.

Matthew ElkertonMatthew Elkerton
@m_elkerton
13 min read
March 31, 2024 - 12:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
SuperCoach NRL: Waiver Watch Round 4

The SuperCoach guns have flexed their muscle on an Easter Sunday where the home crowd faithful sung the loudest.

Despite going down 20-12 to the Warriors, Knights fullback and SuperCoach gun Kalyn Ponga produced his best performance of the season so far with 113 points including two try assists.

Sharks gun Nicho Hynes also bounced back to his best as the Cronulla side fought its way back from an 18-0 deficit, to defeat Canberra 34-22 at Shark Park.

But the man of the moment in that game was Sharks popular cheapie Kayal Iro, who made an immediate mark on the NRL.

Read on to find out our SuperCoach studs and duds from a Super Easter Sunday, and scroll down to see how it unfolded on the day.

SUPERCOACH STUDS

Kalyn Ponga (FLB): 113 points - Was involved in everything good that the Knights did, and he asked plenty of questions in a brillian tfirst half. He just lacks any help in a side devoid of creative spark.

Jackson Ford (2RF): 107 points - He is the perfect foil for Shaun Johnson, a hard-running edge forward. Ford’s workrate was incredible, and he added to it with a try and two brilliant line breaks.

Kayal Iro (CTW): 91 points - The Sharks centre had an afternoon out with a try and try-assist, but it was his desire to get in and do the hard yards that will make him must-pick for Sharks coach Crtaig Fitzgibbon next week. He is a cheapie on the rise.

Nicho Hynes (HFB): 90 points - This spot belonged to Cam McInnes until the final minute of the game when Hynes set up the Sharks final try of the game. Nothing like Nicho scoring some late junk points. Expect him to fare well in the updates.

Tyson Frizell (2RF): 78 points - The Knights veteran was excellent on the right side. He scored a good try off a grubber, and nearly had a second off a kick late in the first half. He added 37 tackles and 19 points in hit-ups in a great 80 minute effort.

SUPERCOACH DUDS

Zac Hosking (2RF): 25 points - The Raiders popular backrower was given a midweek boost when promoted to the starting side. But he failed to make big in-roads and was then taken off with a HIA. He won’t play next week.

Sifa Talakai (CTW): 17 points - His single-handed destruction of Manly two years ago lives on as a fond memory for owners. But if you still have the Beast from the Shire, it’;s time to let him go. Moving closer to the ball did not help his scoring.

Jack Cogger (HFB): 19 points - While he isn’t overly SuperCoach relevant, this is more an indictment on the Knights halves stocks. Hastings was dropped two weeks ago, but his replacement is hardly setting the world on fire.

Will Kennedy (FLB) 29 points - The Sharks fullback has been out of sorts this season, struggling to keep pace with his teammates in attack. He was exposed in defence as well, and could find himself in NSW Cup soon if he is not careful.

Luke Metcalf (5/8): 2 points - The dynamic Warriors five-eighth will appears to have broken a bone in his leg off a cracking tackle from Tyson Frizell. Owned by more than 10 per cent of SuperCoaches, who will need to find a replacement ASAP. Luckily there are some kids who look the goods.

FULL-TIME: MULITALO, KATOA FINISH OFF BIG WIN IN SHIRE

The Sharks have bounced back from a demoralising loss to the Tigers last weekend, with a desparate, fighting win in front of a sold out Shark Park.

They trailed by as many as 18 points in the opening 20 minutes, but a resurgent effort from Nicho Hynes (90 SC points) and Brayden Trindall (66) helped the Sharks score five-straight tries on their way to a 34-22 win.

But it was a night that belonged to young gun Kayal Iro, with the popular CTW cheapie rewarding brave SuperCoach owners who played him this week with a sensational 91 points.

Iro scored one and set up another, but also didn’t shirk the tough stuff when the Sharks were getting into the grind.

Hynes rewarded owners who stuck with him after a shocking start to the season, while winger James Schiller was the Raiders best with 73 points.

60TH MIN: SHARKS CHEAPIE STRIKES

The Sharks have gone back-to-back to pull ahead in this one for the first time.

The Cronulla left-edge is on song with Kayal Iro and Ronaldo Mulitalo scoring back-to-back, to make it five straight tries for the home side.

It was a special moment for Iro, who now leads all SuperCoach scorers in this one with 86 points, to break the deadlock in his first game back in the top grade.

The former NSW Cup player of the year has finally been given his shot, among a host of injuries in the forward pack, and he has made every post a winner.

Brayden Trindall set up the straight-running centre with a crafty run across field. It continues a strong game for the five-eighth who has scored 60 points.

Sharks fullback Will Kennedy set up the try for Mulitalo, who has now hit 59 points.

50TH MIN: HOSKING OFF FIELD AS STRANGE STANDS UP

Popular SuperCoach forward Zac Hosking has left the field early in the second half after copping a serious head knock in defence.

Hosking, who is in 16 per cent of SuperCoach sides, was immediately ruled out of the rest of the game as a Category 1 HIA, which means he will be out of next week’s clash with the Eels.

The Raiders have been under assault to start the second half, with Sharks bullocking forward Tuku Hau Taupua showing plenty of power and punch in the front line.

The Green machine earned back-to-back sets on the Sharks line, but struggled to make an impact.

Both sides have been plagued by ill-discipline in this game with a combined 16 errors and four penalties so far.

HALF-TIME: SHARKS HIT BACK AS ERRORS HAUNT RAIDERS

The Sharks have hit back in the shadows of halftime to give the home crowd hope.

Cronulla levelled the scores with three tries in 10 minutes to level the scores at the break.

Hynes was involved in the first two tries, but failed to get the credit for the final pass in both much to the disappointment of his owners.

Trindall scored the first, before Ronaldo Mulitalo (37 points) found himself in open air carrying James Schiller across the line in the corner.

But the best was saved for last with Sione Katoa streaming through to collect a kick, before throwing the ball back on the inside in hope finding Blayke Brailey to score.

Brailey is now the highest-scoring Sharks player in SuperCoach with 41 points

The Green Machine only have themselves to blame after shocking errors coming out of their own end from Schiller and Corey Horsburgh opened the door for the Sharks.

Popular pre-season cheapie Danny Levi still leads allcomers in SuperCoach with 56 points, while Jamal Fogarty sits right on his tail on 52 points.

The most popular man in SuperCoach, Ethan Strange, who is owned by more than 60 per cent of SuperCoaches, is languishing on 17 points, but has made some crucial stops in defence.

25TH MIN: KENNEDY WOES SOUND ALARMS FOR SHARKS

Nicho Hynes has copped a beating this season for the Sharks woes, but Will Kennedy should shoulder his fair share of the blame.

The fullback has looked out of sorts to start the game against the Raiders.

He is out of step in attack, and had a shocker attempting to stop the Jamal Fogarty 40-20 attempt.

But he saved his worst for last with Danny Levi rolling over the top of the fullback to score a soft try from dummy-half.

The Raiders are out to an 18-0 lead, and the Sharks have more than just the scoreboard to worry about.

Will Kennedy has struggled to find his best form this season.
Will Kennedy has struggled to find his best form this season.

20TH MIN: SAVAGE WITH ALL THE CHOCCIES

Raiders X-Factor Xavier Savage is making the most of his Easter Sunday night with a sparkling try down the shortside.

Savage (44 SC points) has scored three tries in four games, and looks in sensational form after being shifted out to the wing by Ricky Stuart.

The Raiders have now scored two on the bounce and are looking all over the Sharks.

Jamal Fogarty (32 points) has been wheeling and dealing in the middle of the park, while Joe Tapine (28 points) is making the most of his match up with an understrength Sharks pack.

KICK-OFF: CAN NICHO SPARK THE SHARKS

All eyes will be on Nicho Hynes as we prepare for kick-off in Easter Sunday’s main event.

The halfback has been well below his best to start the season, but he will be the key if the wounded Sharks can turn their season around against the Raiders.

It has become a rivalry that produces, with the Sharks and the Raiders always turning it on when they go head-to-head.

Both sides are coming off poor performances in Round 3 and will need to find another gear at Shark Park.

LATE MAIL: SHARKS v RAIDERS

Ricky Stuart and Craig Fitzgibbon have ruled out any further changes to their squads ahead of Easter Sunday’s main event between the Sharks and Raiders.

Raiders Zac Hosking will come into the starting side for Elliott Whitehead.
Raiders Zac Hosking will come into the starting side for Elliott Whitehead.

The Raiders had Elliott Whitehead ruled out earlier in the week, with Zac Hosking promoted to the starting side, while Corey Horsburgh has been recalled to the bench for his first game of the season.

The injury crisis in the Sharks forwards has opened the door for plenty of exciting cheapie options including Tom Hazelton, Tuku Hau Tapuha and bench forward Daniel Atkinson, who plays his first game of the year.

popular pre-season cheapie Kayal Iro (13.8 per cent ownership) will also make his long-awaited return to first grade in the centres for the Sharks.

FULL TIME: PONGA GOES BERSERK BUT KNIGHTS FALL SHORT

It goes down as an error, but Roger Tuivasa-Sheck porved he should be the Warriors no. 1 fullback in one play.

With Ponga, Tuala and Best all bearing down on him, RTS played the ball and not the man knocking down a pass to stop a sure try.

He backed it up in the next set, putting himself in the right place to clean up a kick from Ponga.

They were two match-winning plays crucial in the Warriors 20-12 win at Mount Smart Stadium.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was the best player on the park, but it didn’t translate to SuperCoach points.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was the best player on the park, but it didn’t translate to SuperCoach points.

Ponga was key to the Knights making it a thrilling finish - setting up a try for Best and then sending Tuala cruising down the sideline.

The two plays sent Ponga well beyond triple figures in SuperCoach to reward the people who captained him this week.

Ponga might have won the battle with Tuivasa-Sheck, but with the two points in his back pocket, the Warriors fullback will reckon he has won the war.

Kalyn Ponga had a sensational bounce back game against the Warriors.
Kalyn Ponga had a sensational bounce back game against the Warriors.

SUPERCOACH WINNERS

Kalyn Ponga (FLB): 113 points - Was involved in everything good that the Knights did, and he asked plenty of questions in a brillian tfirst half. He just lacks any help in a side devoid of creative spark.

Jackson Ford (2RF): 107 points - He is the perfect foil for Shaun Johnson, a hard-running edge forward. Ford’s workrate was incredible, and he added to it with a try and two brilliant line breaks.

Tyson Frizell (2RF): 78 points - The Knights veteran was excellent on the right side. He scored a good try off a grubber, and nearly had a second off a kick late in the first half. He added 37 tackles and 19 points in hit-ups in a great 80 minute effort.

65 MIN: FORD LEADS THE WAY FORWARD

The Warriors defended back-to-back sets on their line to maintain a 12-point lead and fittingly it was Jackson Ford to shutdown the latest raid.

The Warriors backrower, who leads the way in SuperCoach, got himself in between the Saifit brothers to snag an intercept and get the ball back for his side.

Ford is now on 94 points for the game, and threatens to be the only three-figure scorer in SuperCoach, elevated by a try and two line breaks.

The backrower also has more than 50 points in straight base stats including more than 30 tackles.

Kurt Capewell fights to break free of a Jack Cogger tackle.
Kurt Capewell fights to break free of a Jack Cogger tackle.

Also news from around the grounds, the Rabbitohs have been dealt a cruel injury blow with try-scoring machine Alex Johnston ruled out for up to 4-6 weeks.

55 MIN: MONTOYA TRY A THING OF BEAUTY

Forget SuperCoach for a second, because it was a play that wasn’t necessarily relevant.

But Marcelo Montoya just scored a beautiful NRL try.

Montoya climbed his above Thomas Jenkins to take a clean catch with his arms outstretched above his head before planting down.

Montoya is only owned by 1.2 per cent of coaches, while the man who set up the try, Chanel Harris-Tavita, is owned by 3.9 per cent.

Another man with extremely low ownership for his calibre, Tohu Harris (2.5 per cent ownership), has shown increased invovlement after the break and is up to 40 SC points.

HALFTIME: KNIGHTS HIT BACK, PONGA GOING OFF

Phew. We can take a breath after that final set before the break.

The Knights have hit back in the shadows of halftime with Tyson Frizell landing on the end of a grubber through the line.

The game really shifted in the final 10 minutes before the break with the Knights relishing more time on the ball.

Kalyne Ponga is absolutely flying with 75 points on the board at the break after two clean line breaks.

The Knights fullback is far and away the best player on the field, but his rival No. 1 is not far behind although it hasn’t been reflected in the SuperCoach scores just yet.

Warriors five-eighth Luke Metcalf left the field early in the first half and was spotted in the sheds with his foot in a moon boot and crutches in his arms. His day is done, but it could be a lot longer on the sidelines.

TOP PERFORMERS

Kalyn Ponga (FLB): 75 points

Jackson Ford (2RF): 64 points

Tyson Frizell (2RF): 48 points

Wayde Egan (HOK): 44 points

Enari Tuala (CTW): 38 points

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

30TH MIN: PONGA ON FIRE, WARRIORS KEEP IT SIMPLE

The Knights might be trailing by two tries on the scoreboard, but it is not for a lack of trying from their fullback.

Ponga is rewarding the 3.8 per cent of SuperCoaches who made the choice to captain him this week, with two line breaks and two line-break assists. He is on 62 points with 10 minutes to go before halftime.

Every time he finds even half a break, Ponga looks dangerous. Could you imagine being in the almost 500 who sold him this week?

The Knights lead all the important numbers for this game, apart from the most-important one, the scoreboard.

Warriors have kept to a simple plan, trucking through the middle and completing their sets. The home side has yet to make and error and it shows.

15TH MIN: SJ PULLS STRINGS, FULLBACKS BATTLE SIMMERING

The Warriors have scored two quick tries to get the party started in Mount Smart.

Shaun Johnson has played a massive hand in the home-side’s fast start alongside partner-in-crime Wayde Egan.

The crafty halfback fooled everyone in back-to-back plays sending his strong forwards through the line with slick short balls. The second one, which landed on Jackson Ford’s chest, was enough to send him crashing across the stripe.

Kalyn Ponga has already shown dangerous signs in the early stages, threatening to break the Warriors right open on the kick return.

The clean line break means Ponga is already on 31 points after 15 minutes.

On the other side of the field, Tuivasa-Sheck has also shown early glimpses of his intentions getting his hands on the ball plenty of times.

The intensity of this game, feels very much reminiscent of their semi-final battle from last year and the crowd is reacting accordingly.

The 10.8 per cent of SuperCoaches who own Luke Metcalf will hold grave concerns after the young five-eighth had to be carried from the field.

Metcalf was hit low by Tyson Frizell in a - literal - bone rattler.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is getting his hands on the ball early in the game.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is getting his hands on the ball early in the game.

LATE MAIL: LUCAS MOVES TO CENTRES, LUSSICK TO RESERVES

Newscastle coach Adam O’Brien has confirmed the worst kept secret in the Steel City with Dane Gagai out of action, and Dylan Lucas shifted to the centres.

Phoenix Crossland will start at dummy-half with Jayden Brailey still working his way back off the bench. Popular SuperCoach cheapie Jed Cartwright is the 18th man.

The Warriors have made one late switch to their side for the clash at a sold out Mount Smart stadium, with Jazz Tevaga and Chanel Harris-Tavita both late inclusions on the bench while Freddy Lussick drops back to 18th man and Dylan Walker out of the side.

Marata Niukore will play his first game of the season off the bench.

Also if you missed it, and I don’t know how you did, Tim Tzsyu’s Vegas debut didn’t quite go the way we were hoping.

Also in news that will be music to the ears of the brave few who held onto Nathan Cleary, the Panthers halfback confirmed when he will be back on the field.

EARLIER

Put away the chocolate and break out the remote, it’s time for your Easter Sunday double delight of rugby league.

It’s a cracking afternoon of rugby league in store, with the Warriors hosting the Knights at another sold out Mount Smart Stadium before the Sharks and Raiders reignite one of the more exciting rivalries in recent years.

But it’s not just in reality where the excitement lies, with both of these Easter Sunday clashes possibly having huge ramifications in SuperCoach land.

With Nathan Cleary’s injury and James Tedesco playing on Thursday, every coach’s captaincy questions will be answered on Sunday.

Can the Sharks and, more importantly, Nicho Hynes bounce back after last week?
Can the Sharks and, more importantly, Nicho Hynes bounce back after last week?

Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes, who is strangely languishing with a three-round average of 51.3 to start the season - is the second-highest captained player this weekend behind Tom Trbojevic with almost 10 per cent of all SuperCoaches trusting in the Shark.

SuperCoaches have been willing to overlook Hynes lower involvements this season, tipping the halfback to break his slump against a Raiders side - who are only averaging 33 to halfbacks. Yikes.

If there is one saving grace for Hynes, the last time he played the Raiders in Round 27 last year he finished with four try assists, three line break assists and won plenty of coaches their SC grand finals.

Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga, who is coming off a well-made 86 points against Melbourne last round, is also a popular captain choice up against the Warriors.

But interestingly his opposite No. 1 on Sunday, Kiwi great Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has slightly got the edge over Ponga in those stakes - sitting at 4.3 and 4.1 per cent respectively.

Kalyn Ponga is a top choice for SuperCoach captaincy.
Kalyn Ponga is a top choice for SuperCoach captaincy.
But does Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have him covered this week?
But does Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have him covered this week?

But captaincy isn’t the only SuperCoach talking point going into Sunday’s action.

* One of this season’s best cash cows, Kai Pearce-Paul, was among the top 10 trade in targets this week and rightfully so after averaging 51 over the first three weeks. The injury to Dane Gagai midweek will see Dylan Lucas move to the centres only firming up KPP’s job security and likely 80-minute output. At 14.4 per cent ownership, it is still criminally low.

* He has been an early-season favourite, and despite not quite getting as much of a price rise as he deserved, Zac Hosking owners will rejoice this week following the late mail on Elliot Whitehead’s injury. Hosking has been promoted to the starting side and has scores of 92 and 109 when starting this season.

* Another popular SuperCoach cash cow Morgan Smithies (36.5 per cent ownership) was brought crashing back to Earth last week with a score of 38 against the Warriors. With a break-even of 24 he is still expected to make cash, but more pressing for owners is the likelihood he sits in the subs this week due to the sheer number of injuries.

* Addin Fonua-Blake has been a big mover and shaker this week, with more than 14,000 SuperCoaches opting to bring the Warriors big man into the front row. With the loss of big name forwards Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, the latter to a season-ending knee injury, Fonua-Blake firms as the top dog at FRF.

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Originally published as NRL Live Round four Warriors v Knights, Sharks v Raiders: Scores and SuperCoach NRL analysis

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