NRL SuperCoach Round 8: Rolling coverage of weekend action
CAMERON Smith and Cameron Munster have starred against a hapless Warriors side. Check out all the latest info in our rolling SuperCoach coverage
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STORM V WARRIORS
Injuries/reports:
Winger Marika Koroibete looked to have suffered a painful knee injury, only to remarkably shake-it off and play on.
Young Tonumaipea suffered a knee injury.
Simon Mannering could be in for a stint on the sideline after he suffered a serious cut in his mouth.
Roger Tuivasa-Shecks’s replacement at fullback Tuimoala Lolohea left the field in the first half have with a knee injury and didn’t return.
Talking points:
In bad news for Simon Mannering owners, the reliable forward suffered a serious cut to his mouth. Before the injury he spent 44 minutes on the field where he made 28 tackles and one line break to score 34 points.
Tohu Harris again proved his value from the backrow by backing up his strong performance from last week with a 90 point showing which included a try.
Highlights:
Prop Jesse Bromwich was influential yet again. The big man finished the game with 98 points, thanks to an unlikely try assist, a linebreak, a linebreak assist and 23 tackles.
Storm skipper Cameron Smith (123 points) was at his very best from dummy half and steered the ship in attack which earned him three try assists and two forced drop outs.
Lowlights:
Supercoaches who were keeping an eye out for Tuimoala Lolohea would have been bitterly disappointed, after the versatile back left the field injured and only managed 3 points before doing so.
Star halfback Shaun Johnson (40 points) was able to spark his side. He made 20 tackles and had two line break assists.
Final teams:
Storm: 1. Cameron Munster, 2. Young Tonumaipea 3. Richie Kennar 18. Suliasi Vunivalu 5. Marika Koroibete 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 15. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane Interchange: 4. Ben Hampton 10. Jordan McLean 14. Kenny Bromwich 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Warriors: 1. Tuimoala Lolohea 2. David Fusitua 3, Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 5. Manu Vtauvei 6. Thomas Leuluai 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Sam Lisone 9. Isaac Luke 10. Ben Matulino 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering Interchange: 14. Jonathan Wright 15. Jacob Lillyman 16. Charlie Gubb 17. Ligi Sao
ROOSTERS V DRAGONS
Injuries/reports:
*Sam Moa was put on report early for a late shot on Josh McCrone.
*Aidan Guerra left the field for a concussion test but returned.
*Mitchell Frei was put on report for a high tackle on Gareth Widdop.
*Mitchell Aubusson went off for a concussion test but returned.
*Jackson Hastings was put on report for a high tackle.
*Mitch Rein (shoulder) went off midway through the second half and did not return.
*Dylan Napa was controversially put on report for his tackle on Taane Milne inside the final few minutes.
Talking points:
*Jackson Hastings kept raking in those dollars with a strong 51 but it could have been even more had he not ignored a four on one overlap to go himself late in the match.
*After a rough start to the season Gareth Widdop dotted down for the second week in a row for a very respectable 62.
Highlights:
*Aidan Guerra had another strong performance after his return to form last week and churned out 70 despite going off for a concussion test.
*Jack de Belin was solid as a rock once again with an all-base 54.
Lowlights:
*Latrell Mitchell is the most selected player in SuperCoach but he had a day to forget, making a series of handling errors and poor passes. He scored a try in the second half to stem the damage but still scored just 32.
Final team:
Roosters: 1. Latrell Mitchell 21. Joe Burgess 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 3. Brendan Elliot 19. Ryan Matterson 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Sam Moa 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra. Interchange: 14. Kane Evans 15. Mitchell Frei 16. Eloni Vunakece 17. Connor Watson
Young gun Jayden Nikorima is out of the Roosters side after being named in the under-20s team to play earlier on Monday afternoon. He’s been replaced at five-eighth by debutant Ryan Matterson. Daniel Tupou has been dropped for Joe Burgess and Boyd Cordner returns from injury at the expense of Isaac Liu.
Dragons: 1. Josh Dugan 2, Kalifa Faifai Loa 15. Will Matthews 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Josh McCrone 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Mitch Rein 10. Mike Cooper 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin Interchange: 14. Russell Packer 15. Dunamis Lui 17. Siliva Havili 19. Taane Milne
Euan Aitken has failed to overcome a hamstring strain with Will Matthews to deputise in the centres early on. Rookie centre Taane Milne will make his NRL debut from the bench.
KNIGHTS V SEA EAGLES
Injuries/reports:
* Peter Mata’utia (knee) — his return to Newcastle ended midway through the first half
* Brett Stewart (hamstring) — came off early in the second half.
* Jarrod Mullen (hamstring) — went down with a hamstring problem after making a break in the second half.
* Tom Trbojevic (knee) — went off inside the final 10 minutes.
Talking points:
* Popular cheapie Brenton Lawrence saluted for his owners with a powerful stint from the bench that included a try late in the first half. He finished with a robust 70 points.
* The Saifiti brothers continued their indifferent form with Daniel scoring just 27 and Jacob not faring much better with 33.
Highlights:
* Jake Trbojevic top scored with 96 as a typical workman like performance was capped off by a late try.
* His younger brother Tom managed to cross the stripe as well and put up a nice 77. Trbojevic the younger would have come into consideration following the injury to Brett Stewart but a possible move to fullback is now off the cards after he suffered a knee injury late in the match.
Lowlights:
* Peter Mata’utia made his return to the Hunter after a few years with the Dragons and replaced his brother Pat at left centre. The match went poorly for the eldest of the Mata’utia clan and he scored just 16 before leaving the field.
* He’s been a SuperCoach stay away for a couple of years now, but Stewart managed a mighty 3 points before he left the field early in the second half.
Final teams:
Knights: 1. Dane Gagai, 2. Nathan Ross, 3. Sione Mata’utia, 20. Peter Mata’utia, 5. Akuila Uate, 6. Jarrod Mullen, 7. Trent Hodkinson, 8. Sam Mataora, 9. Danny Levi, 17. David Bhana, 11. Tariq Sims, 12. Korbin Sims, 13. Jeremy Smith. Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell, 15. Josh King, 16. Jacob Saifiti, 10. Daniel Saifiti.
Mid-week recruit Peter Mata’utia replaces brother Pat Mata’utia in the centres. David Bhana has been promoted to starting prop, replacing Daniel Saifiti who joins brother Jacob Saifiti on the bench.
Sea Eagles: 1 Brett Stewart, 2 Brayden Wiliame, 3 Jamie Lyon, 4 Steve Matai, 5 Tom Trbojevic, 6 Dylan Walker, 19 Daly Cherry-Evans, 8 Darcy Lussick, 7 Apisai Koroisau, 10 Nate Myles, 11 Tom Symonds, 12 Martin Taupau, 13 Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14 Lewis Brown, 15 Addin Fonua-Blake 16 Brenton Lawrence, 17 Siosia Vave
Star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans returns from a knee injury. His inclusion sees Apisai Koroisau shift to hooker and Matt Parcell drops out after failing to recover from a hamstring injury.
SHARKS V PANTHERS
Injuries/reports:
* Waqa Blake (hip pointer) — copped a knock and didn’t return
* Te Marie Martin (fractured shoulder) — didn’t return
* Jayson Bukuya (concussion, round nine) — didn’t return
Talking points:
* Young gun Te Marie Martin (18) fractured his shoulder and is now a sell after making $130,000 for owners.
* The very promising James Fisher-Harris (93) has been a slow burner this year, but produced the best performance of his young career in scoring two tries.
Highlights:
* Isaah Yeo (84) spent plenty of time in the centres due to injury and his attacking stats benefited. He notched a try and try assist.
* The score of Andrew Fifita (68) should surge above 70 when effective offloads are added in the stats recall.
* Paul Gallen (81) has averaged 82 in his last four games, showing why he is the best player in SuperCoach history.
Lowlights:
* Ben Barba (31) looked sharp but couldn’t quite notch the big attacking stats and may have peaked in price for now.
* The base stats of the usually reliable Josh Mansour (35) have fallen off the face of the earth. He produced his third straight score in the 30s and will see a huge price drop given his break even of 113.
Final teams:
Sharks: 1 Ben Barba 2 Sosaia Feki 3 Jack Bird 4 Ricky Leutele 5 Valentine Holmes 6 James Maloney 7 Chad Townsend 8 Andrew Fifita 9 Michael Ennis 16 Matt Prior 11 Jayson Bukuya 12 Wade Graham 13 Paul Gallen. Interchange: 10 Sam Tagataese 14 Gerard Beale 15 Chris Heighington 17 Luke Lewis
Just the usual change for the Sharks, with Sam Tagataese dropping to the bench and Matt Prior to start.
Panthers: 1 Matt Moylan (c) 2 Josh Mansour 3 Waqa Blake 4 Peta Hiku 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6 Te Maire Martin 7 Jamie Soward 8 Leilani Latu 9 Peter Wallace 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11 Bryce Cartwright 12 Isaah Yeo 13 Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14 Tyrone Peachey 16 Suaia Matagi 17 James Fisher-Harris 21 Jeremey Latimore
Jeremy Latimore replaces Sam McKendry (suspension) on the bench in the only change.
COWBOYS V EELS
Injuries/reports:
* Johnathan Thurston copped a hit to the knee in the last moments of the match but recovered quickly to kick for the final conversion — although he did miss it.
Talking points:
* Eels five-eighth Corey Norman spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for a professional foul on Michael Morgan over the Cowboys tryline, which stopped the Eels in their tracks.
* The Cowboys were challenged but found plenty against a determined Eels outfit in Townsville. Although captain Johnathan Thurston (79) didn’t have his best night he again showed why he is such a good NRL and SuperCoach player, stepping up when it mattered in the second half to guide the Cowboys and his coaches home.
Highlights:
* Semi Radrada (68) followed up his 81-point match last week with a two-try effort just in time to start looking very handy for the bye period.
* Gavin Cooper (84) has flown under the SuperCoach radar this season but continues to provide his 8% of owners with consistent output. His try against the Eels added to his 35 tackles against the Eels, he will now have a three-round average of about 80 points.
* The Michael Morgan (98) rollercoaster continued, hitting a high point against the Eels. Morgan backed up his 93 points from last week with two tries and one try-assist for his 6000 owners.
* Eels forward Manu Ma’u (57) continues to shape as a potential bye period goldmine with another solid performance.
Lowlights:
* Corey Norman (40, including a try assist) was on target for a good score before being hit with the sin bin penalty and the enforced time on the sideline.
* Coaches will be getting nervous about using Eels hooker Nathan Peats (39) as bye coverage after another below-par performance. And Cowboys hooker Jake Granville (22) had his worst score for the year for his 8.5% of SuperCoaches.
Final teams:
Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. James Tamou 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn 15. Patrick Kaufusi 16. Scott Bolton 17. Ben Hannant
Unchanged.
Eels: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Clinton Gutherson 6. Corey Norman 7. Kieran Foran 8. Junior Paulo 9. Nathan Peats 10. Daniel Alvaro 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Beau Scott 13. Tepai Moeroa. Interchange: 14. Isaac De Gois 15. Peni Terepo 16. Danny Wicks 17. Ken Edwards
Unchanged.
RAIDERS V TITANS
Reports/injuries:
* Tigers lock Dene Halatau injured his hand in the first couple of minutes and didn’t return to the field.
* Raider Joseph Tapine injured his ankle in the first half and didn’t return.
* Kevin Naiqama was hit hard trying to make a tackle and left the field for a concussion test late in the match and didn’t return.
Talking points:
* After a tough month the Green Machine hit back with a dominate performance. Four Canberra players cracked the SuperCoach ton, including Jordan Rapana, whose 162 points (before recounts) was one of the top-five all time SuperCoach scores.
* Popular captain option and one of the competition top points scorers James Tedesco (28) was held to his lowest score of the season.
Highlights:
* A quartet of tries and a try assist propelled Canberra winger Jordan Rapana (162) into the SuperCoach scoring hall of fame.
* Dally M leader and Raiders English hooker Josh Hodgson (106) was superb. He was in everything, particularly in the first half, and his haul included a staggering 48 points from try assists.
* Hard-running Canberra centre Joseph Leilua (124) continues to be a surprise POD heading into the bye period. Before this match he had a five-round average of over 50 without great attacking stats. The floodgates opened against the Tigers. His haul included two tries, a try assist, offloads, line breaks and line-break assists.
* Chris Lawrence (75) was one of the few shining lights for the Tigers on a dark, dark night.
Lowlights:
* Besides the low score from Teddy, popular Tigers centre Jordan Rankin could only manage 11, only just beating his break-even of 6.
Final teams:
Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Edrick Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Sam Williams 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Shannon Boyd 9. Josh Hodgson 16. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Shaun Fensom. Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Luke Bateman 17. Joseph Tapine 18. Clay Priest.
Frank-Paul Nuuausala has been left out of the team, with Paul Vaughan taking his spot at starting prop. As a result Clay Priest has been named on the Riaders bench to make his NRL debut.
Tigers: 1. James Tedesco 19. David Nofoaluma 3. Nathan Milone 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Jordan Rankin 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Ava Seumanufagai 9. Robbie Farah 10. Tim Grant 11. Curtis Sironen 12. Chris Lawrence 15. Dene Halatau. Interchange: 14. Josh Aloiai 13. Sauaso Sue 16. Kyle Lovett 17. JJ Felise
Winger David Nofoaluma returns, with potential cash cow Josh Addo-Carr dropping out of the side. Sauaso Sue returns but will start off the bench with Dene Halatau to start at lock.
BULLDOGS V TITANS
Injuries/reports:
* Titans lock Greg Bird left the field for a concussion test but returned soon after to help launch the Titans’ late surge.
* Bulldogs winger Sam Perrett was injured in a tackle but played on.
Talking points:
* Popular SuperCoach cash cow Ashley Taylor was ruled out the day before the match after spending time in hospital with stomach cramps. He was replaced at five-eighth by fellow rookie Cameron Cullen, who made a creditable 48 points, including a try assist, in his second game of NRL. With Taylor expected back next week and Tyrone Roberts fit, it’s unlikely Cullen has much to offer SuperCoaches, although his price will jump significantly the next time he pulls on the Titans strip.
* Bulldogs centre Kerrod Holland again proved himself one of the best buys of the SuperCoach season so far. While he didn’t reach the two-try heights of last week he was a solid contributor with 56 points, including 22 tackles and 20 points from line breaks. It could have been even better had he not missed two conversions.
Highlights:
* Bulldogs forward Josh Jackson (94) gave SuperCoaches some food for thought ahead of the bye rounds. Jackson had plenty of admirers last year on the back of his strong attacking play. Up until Round 6 this year Jackson’s attacking stats had been almost non-existent but he has upped the ante in the last couple of weeks, including a try, 10 points from line breaks and eight from line break assists to go with his 41 tackles against the Titans. The Bulldogs will play in the two tough bye rounds of 12 and 18. Jackson is currently in 4% of teams.
* Returning after missing last week through suspension, Greg Bird (88) added stability to the Titans forward pack and a smile to the faces of 5% of SuperCoaches. Historically Bird has scored well against the Bulldogs and he didn’t disappoint, notching a try assist, 28 tackles and 38 points from hit-ups. If you’ve got him, you’d be happy with those points but with Origin just around the corner, he won’t be finding his way into many more teams.
* Moses Mbye rewarded coaches who stuck by him despite some lean weeks with an improved 57 points. The exciting 22-year-old looked dangerous with the ball, including a great run and dummy to gift a try to Will Hopoate.
* Will Hopoate scored a try-inflated 66 for his 8% of owners, ruing the fact he’ll be missing from Sunday games, while Bulldogs captain James Graham (63) was at his at his usual consistent best.
Lowlights:
* Although most coaches ditched Craig Garvey (12) with the return of Bulldogs hooker Michael Lichaa, those who still have him on the bench would have been disappointed with his 5 minutes of play on his return.
Final teams:
Bulldogs: 1. William Hopoate 2. Curtis Rona 3. Josh Morris 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Sam Perrett 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Tony Williams 13. Greg Eastwood. Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Tim Browne 16. David Klemmer 21. Craig Garvey
Hooker Craig Garvey has been named on the bench, with Lloyd Perrett and Adam Elliot dropping out of the squad.
Titans: 1. William Zillman 2. Anthony Don 3. Josh Hoffman 4. Nene Macdonald 5. David Mead 6. Tyrone Roberts 19. Cameron Cullen 8. David Shillington 9. Nathan Friend 10. Ryan James 11. Zeb Taia 12. Chris McQueen 13. Greg Bird Interchange: 14. Luke Douglas 15. Leivaha Pulu 16. Agnatius Paasi 17. Kierran Moseley.
As expected, Cameron Cullen replaces fellow rookie Ashley Taylor at five-eighth, while Eddy Pettybourne misses out.
BRONCOS V RABBITOHS
Injuries/reports:
Rabbitohs —
Hymel Hunt’s night ended early after he suffered what looked like a serious pec injury.
Halfback Adam Reynolds left the field clutching his jaw at the 55th minute. Remarkably he demanded to return in the second half despite nursing a suspected fracture. Reynolds will undergo scans and know by Monday whether he has suffered a jaw fracture for the second time this season.
Paul Carter suffered a head knock but passed a concussion test and returned.
Broncos —
Andrew McCullough injured his left knee and didn’t return. Wayne Bennett said his rake had suffered a calf complaint with scans set to determine how long he would be sidelined. “There are is no medial or cruciate (knee) damage,” he said
Joe Ofahengaue and Adam Blair were placed on report.
Talking points:
Potential cheapie Herman Ese’ese scored 14 points and as expected he only saw limited game time playing off the bench.
Hulking winger Corey Oates dived over in the corner in one of the best put downs of the season. He also had another try disallowed in the first half. His 46 point display also included two tackle busts and a linebreak.
Anthony Milford wasn’t able to reach the dizzying heights that he did against the Knights (153 points) but he finished with a respectable 65 points — his kicking game a highlight, he forced three dropouts. The five-eighth also had a try assist.
Highlights:
SuperCoach ‘God’ Corey Parker bagged himself a try in the latter part of the second half, taking his score to 81 points. He also kicked four goals and made four tackle busts.
Ben Hunt was on fire again and in an impressive performance notched up 85 points. The halfback took control of Brisbane’s attack making two linebreaks, five tackle busts, a try assist and he even crossed for a try of his own.
Greg Inglis finally found some form after a below par start to the season for the superstar fullback. He finished the game with 63 points thanks to a try, six tackle busts and a linebreak.
Lowlights:
Andrew McCullough finished with only 11 points to his name thanks to his injury.
In a huge blow to Hymel Hunt (6 points) owners, the centre left the field after only six minutes. He looked to have suffered a serious pec injury which is likely to result in a lengthy spell on the sideline.
Final Teams:
Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd 2 Corey Oates 3 Jack Reed 4 James Roberts 5 Jordan Kahu 6 Anthony Milford 7 Ben Hunt 8 Josh McGuire 9 Andrew McCullough 10 Adam Blair 15 Sam Thaiday 12 Matt Gillett 13 Corey Parker (c). Interchange: 14 Jarrod Wallace 16 Joe Ofahengaue 17 Kodi Nikorima 18 Herman Ese’ese
Alex Glenn is out with a hip injury with Sam Thaiday coming into the starting side. Herman Ese’ese earns a call-up onto the bench to make his debut.
Rabbitohs: 1 Greg Inglis (c) 2 Bryson Goodwin 19 Dane Nielsen 4 Hymel Hunt 5 Aaron Gray 6 Luke Keary 7 Adam Reynolds 8 Thomas Burgess 18 Damien Cook 10 David Tyrrell 11 Chris Grevsmuhl 14 Paul Carter 13 Sam Burgess. Interchange: 3 Kirisome Auva’a 9 Cameron McInnes 15 Jason Clark 16 Nathan Brown
Forward George Burgess has been dropped. Damien Cook has been promoted into the starting side at hooker with Cameron McInnes dropping to the bench. Kirisome Auva’a also drops to the bench with Dane Nielsen to make his Rabbitohs debut at centre. Backrower Paul Carter starts with Kyle Turner omitted.
Originally published as NRL SuperCoach Round 8: Rolling coverage of weekend action
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