NRL SuperCoach wrap round 25: Injuries, suspensions hit for grand finals

It’s NRL SuperCoach grand final week and a host of injuries and suspensions have hit just at the wrong time. Check our full wrap of round 25.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 23: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the Warriors reacts during the round 25 NRL match between New Zealand Warriors and Brisbane Broncos at Shaun Johnson Stadium, on August 23, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

It’s SuperCoach grand final week and a host of injuries and suspensions have hit just at the wrong time.

We wrap preliminary finals action, which included some enormous tons from popular players including Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco and a host of Storm stars.

But there were also plenty of stinkers including the two most popular trades of the week barely firing a shot in Jarome Luai and Daly Cherry-Evans.

KEY INJURIES

* Kai Pearce-Paul (18) - Still owned by 13 per cent of teams, KPP was taken to taken to hospital with a severe leg laceration from a stray stud. Plenty of SuperCoaches may need him this week if there are mass restings.

* Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (13) - Season over. Still in 17,000 teams, RTS copped a concussion against the Bulldogs and will miss the upcoming round before the bye in the final week.

* Rumours continue to swirl that the Storm will rest a large contingent for their trip to Townsville this coming weekend. That could mean no Eliesa Katoa, Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and co.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck comes from the field concussed.

KEY JUDICIARY NEWS

* Cameron Murray (73) - Season is likely over for the star Rabbitoh. He is facing a 2-3 week ban for a high tackle.

* Stephen Crichton (67) - Might not play again before the finals following a high tackle charge.

* Addin Fonua-Blake (77) - Sigh of relief with the most popular prop in SuperCoach copping just a fine for dangerous contact.

* Haumole Olakau’atu (58) - Also copped only a fine for a careless high tackle.

WINNERS

* Kayal Iro (110) - Continued his brilliant recent form. Took his 5RA well above the 80 mark with a try, try assist and nine tackle busts.

* Briton Nikora (96) - Scored a trademark try and also produced some nice ball-play with two linebreak assists.

* Jesse Ramien (90) - Spiders on him all game with a try and two try assists. Great score considering he missed 10 minutes and was docked eight points for a sin bin.

* Daniel Tupou (123) - The Roosters’ left wing is a nice spot to be and Tupou cashed in with two tries and a try assist.

* Angus Crichton (121) - Scored a hat-trick on top of his usual work as the Roosters ran rampant.

Angus Crichton scored three tries. Picture: NRL Photos

* James Tedesco (117) - SuperCoaches predicted plenty of points with Tedesco the most popular captain, and so it unfolded. Teddy was in everything and did his absolute best to chase down the 158 of captaincy rival Tom Trbojevic, but fell short.

* Alofiana Khan-Pereira (118) - Yet another hat-trick and he is now set for the Ken Irvine medal. Got the better of his battle of the speedsters against Dominic Young.

* Isaah Yeo (93) - The Panthers workhorse offloaded at will and almost carried his side over the line with a very strong showing.

* Joseph Tapine (88) - Canberra’s talismanic prop created a fantastic try in the first half with a late offload and played big minutes in the second half to hold Penrith out.

* Jahrome Hughes (132) – The playmaker may have lost his pants at one stage but he was everywhere, scoring a try and setting up two others.

* Harry Grant (129) – Two line breaks to go with two try assists and a four-pointer of his own.

* Ryan Papenhuyzen (114) – Another fruitful night for the fullback who set up three tries and had three line break assists.

* Dane Gagai (137) – The experienced player got two tries, two line breaks and a try assist in a strong showing for the Knights that also included 150m of running.

* Kalyn Ponga (102) – He had a try assist and two line breaks and while 102 points is good, he looked like he was worth a lot more out there.

* Adam Reynolds (122) – The skipper set the tone with a good first half from an SC view with 69 points on the back of two line break assists and a try assist. Should’ve had a 40-20 to his name as well if not for a missed call. Finished with a try and three try assists. What a night.

* Matt Burton (103) – You just knew when the wind came into play that the biggest boot in the competition would come into his own. Finished with two try assists, a 40-20 kick and raised the bat once again.

* Tom Trbojevic (158) – Who else but Turbo. It’s no understatement to suggest that the Sea Eagles would’ve been beaten by 20 if it wasn’t for the fullback. He was superb and rewarded those brave enough to put the captain tag on him.

* Samuela Fainu (81) – Those who owned him were jumping out of their seats after he scored with the very last play of the game. Added a nice little boost to his score on a great night for the family.

* Api Koroisau (75) – It felt like he deserved a much bigger score for the impact he had. Was the reason for the turnaround in the first half and he came up with some very nice moments to lift his side.

Top SuperCoach scores from weekend round.

LOSERS

* Ben Hunt (18) - Talked up as a POD replacement for Nathan Cleary but the Dragons only got 37 per cent of possession in the first half. Had a potential try assist denied after his final pass hit the referee.

* Sam Walker (62) - The score is nothing to be sneezed at but SuperCoaches were hoping for more given the dominance of the Roosters.

* Joey Manu (37) - The popular POD just couldn’t notch a big attacking stat as teammates starred around him.

* Dom Young (33) - Could cut-and-paste from Manu above. The left saw most of the action, meaning limited opportunities for Young.

* David Fifita (43) - Struggled in the heat and had to take a 20 minute break. Couldn’t get involved against the club he backflipped on earlier this season.

* Terrell May (24) - Only 30 minutes for the popular SuperCoach prop.

* Casey McLean (20) - Couldn’t find a way to get involved in the game and barely made an impact on either side of the ball.

* Jarome Luai (20) - Luai barely saw any action in defence and didn’t impact the scoresheet in attack. Struggled to take control of the game despite plenty of opportunity in great territory.

Jarome Luai didn’t have his best game against the Raiders. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

* Jaymayne Isaako (21) – He was lucky not to be sent off for taking out Sua Faalogo in the first half and his night didn’t improve.

* Dylan Brown (38) – After scoring 90 in round 22, those who have stuck with Brown have been punished with scores of 54, 36 and now 38. A far cry from the attacking weapon he has been.

* Mitch Barnett (39) – For the second week in a row the popular SuperCoach buy has been below his best score. Maybe expectations have been too high.

* Blaize Talagi (32) – Expectations have certainly increased for the Penrith-bound young gun. Was in hot tryscoring form but has now gone two weeks without crossing the line and his scores have suffered.

* Ben Trbojevic (23) – If you haven’t already marked Burbo as a sell, now is the time. Got the nod to start and played 59 minutes in the second row, but again he let SuperCoaches down.

* Daly Cherry-Evans (36) – When the game was there to be taken, it has to be said that DCE was found wanting. Didn’t have the impact the Sea Eagles needed at crucial times.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach wrap round 25: Injuries, suspensions hit for grand finals