Cooper Cronk rips Eels for ‘trying to hide’ Waqa Blake
A four-time premiership winner has pinpointed a key coaching blunder that contributed to Parramatta’s demise in the decider.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Four-time premiership winner Cooper Cronk has declared Eels coach Brad Arthur was “trying to hide” winger Waqa Blake in a major blunder during Sunday night’s grand final loss to the Panthers.
Speaking on Fox League’s post-game coverage, the former Storm and Roosters halfback identified how the Eels were using fullback Clint Gutherson to cover kicks downfield that Blake would normally have handled.
Watch every match of the Rugby League World Cup LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“I think Waqa Blake had some nervous times in week one of Nathan Cleary’s bombs,” Cronk said.
“I sensed at the start of that game, they were trying to hide Waqa Blake, Gutherson was covering for a lot of their kicks, this is me picking it apart.”
After weeks of struggles with his hands, most notably four dropped bombs against Nathan Cleary and the Panthers in week one of the finals, it was a decision Arthur felt compelled to make.
However Cronk saw it as a coaching mistake.
“In a grand final you can’t carry anyone, you need to throw him in and say ‘catch the ball Waqa,’” Cronk said.
“And I think that was maybe a coaching mistake there, trying to hide him in terms of what Nathan did because once players sense there is a bit of fear in the opposition, that can be opened up in any way shape or form.
“I think that is where it was lost, but tough year, it is difficult to come back from but don’t underestimate the motivation of losing.”
In fairness to Blake, he was safe with his hands during the 28-12 loss to Penrith, however he managed just 73 metres from 13 runs against a bruising defence that suffocated Parramatta all night long at Accor Stadium.
“They’re a very good team, they just played too fast for us,” Arthur said after his Eels missed an opportunity to end their 36-year premiership drought.
“We’re disappointed but I just said to the boys now is not the time to try and review or dissect that game — we were just beaten by a better team.
“I’m extremely proud of the team, the staff, the club. It’s a tough road to get here and maybe the tough road took its toll on us.
“It’s a big achievement, we’re not just putting the cue in the rack and saying we’re content with that, but I just want to focus on how proud I am of the guys as individuals and as men.”
Meanwhile, captain Clint Gutherson said Parramatta now had added motivation to go one better next season, despite losing a host of stars including Reed Mahoney and Isaiah Papali’i.
“You’d like to think this feeling gives you a lot of motivation. None of us have felt this, so it makes you want to get back here,” Gutherson said.
“Even a few of the Penrith boys said that was a lot of motivation for them when they lost a couple of years ago.
“We’re losing a couple of great players but whoever steps up is going to do a job for us next year.
“We’re not going to think about that now, we’re going to get in there, enjoy each other’s company and probably sit back and enjoy what we’ve achieved as a team, as a club and as people this year.
“Not many people gave us a chance to get here four, five six weeks ago and to prove them wrong (it’s) pretty good.”
Luai called out over ugly act
Meanwhile, Panthers star Jarome Luai has come under fire after eagle-eyed fans spotted him seemingly kicking out at an opponent during Penrith’s victory in the NRL decider.
With the Panthers up 12-0 after a dominant start to the match, the five-eighth was sighted producing what looked like a stomp on Isaiah Papali’i.
After one of his blistering first half runs, Panthers winger Brian To’o was brought to the ground by Papali’i and Will Penisini.
It was as they hit the turf that Luai strolled in and appeared to either kick or stomp on Papali’i while he was on the deck.
Fans watching on were quick to point out the act with many labelling it a grubby move by the Panthers star.
Did Luai just give a little kick into a parra player there #NRLGF
— Harmonious Murmur (@Harmoniousmurm) October 2, 2022
Luai just laid a boot into a Parramatta defender on the ground #NRLPanthersEels
— NRL.CON.AU (@NrlConspiracies) October 2, 2022
The incident wasn’t shown again on the Channel 9 broadcast, making it impossible to determine if Luai’s right foot had indeed made contact with Papali’i.
It’s not the first time this year Luai has come under fire from NRL fans over suspect on field acts.
Luai drew severe backlash for standing over Queensland’s Selwyn Cobbo after he was knocked out in the opening stages of the State of Origin decider.
Cobbo’s head knock was the most brutal of the lot and he was left dazed, lying on his back as Luai stood over the top of him and yelled at the Maroons young gun.
The act sparked an all-in melee as several Queensland players didn’t take kindly to Luai’s taunt.
Originally published as Cooper Cronk rips Eels for ‘trying to hide’ Waqa Blake
Test your knowledge with our ultimate NRL 2024 quiz
Think you know your rugby league? Were you paying attention throughout the 2024 NRL season? Take our quiz and put your knowledge to the test.
Teams locked in for Pacific Championships
Mal Meninga has stuck with the same spine that got the job done against Tonga, with the Kangaroos coach hoping for more attacking cohesion in New Zealand.