The Tigers may have set a record in their thrilling last-gasp 21-20 win over the Eels at CommBank Stadium yesterday.
On a weekend dominated by set restarts, the Tigers didn’t get a single ‘six again’ call from referee Chris Butler.
The set restart is a game changer – the Eels got four to the Tigers’ nil yet the Tigers held on for an epic victory.
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It’s unusual for a team not to get a single set re-start in 80 minutes – and unheard of for that team to go on and win.
The lop-sided count adds weight to claims by Cowboys coach Todd Payten and his Titans counterpart Justin Holbrook in recent weeks that the ‘big’ clubs get the rub of the green from referees.
Full marks to the Tigers on a courageous win – they also lost the penalty count 6-4, went into the game as rank outsiders but refused to toss in the towel.
Veteran winding back the clock
He may be 29 and in the twilight of his career, but Scott Sorensen is one of the NRL’s big improvers in 2022.
The former Sharks forward was on the bench in last year’s grand final and has taken his game to a new level at Penrith this year.
Despite starting on the bench, he ran for more metres than any player on the field in the 40-12 win over the Broncos on Friday night and scored a slashing solo try to break a 6-all deadlock and put Penrith on track for a big win.
His career gives all ‘battlers’ hope – Sorensen debuted for Cronulla in 2014 but in his first four years, played just five NRL games.
Since switching to Penrith, he has become a fine all-round forward and is one of the reasons the Panthers have won 20 straight games at home.
All is not well in the nation’s capital
Ricky Stuart didn’t hold back after the Raiders once again blew a double-digit lead against the Cowboys on Thursday night, describing several players’ efforts as “pathetic” and “not NRL standard”.
Ricky didn’t name names – but a quick analysis of the Raiders’ stats shows the blokes mainly responsible for turning a 12-0 halftime lead into an 18-12 loss.
Skipper Elliott Whitehead made eight runs for 52 metres, winger Semi Valamei also eight runs for 45 metres, back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera five runs for 43 metres and prop Emre Guler three runs for just 21 metres is a good starting point to the Raiders’ demise.
Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a horror night before being injured with seven errors, while Whitehead added to his poor outing with four errors.
It was the seventh time the Raiders have thrown away a double-digit lead in the past two seasons – the most in the NRL – and clearly all is not well in the nation’s capital.
Taumalolo wins battle of the bigs
Thursday night’s Raiders v Cowboys clash in Canberra was billed as the battle of the big men – and Jason Taumalolo scored a clear point victory over his arch-rival Josh Papalii.
JT made an impressive 235 run metres, 114 post-contact and 29 tackles to lead the Cowboys to their fine comeback win.
Papalii was one of the better players in a poor Canberra side, but his 159 run metres, 77 post-contact and 26 tackles were well behind the Cowboy colossus.
Cook won’t give up Kangaroos jersey without a fight
Damien Cook knows his Kangaroos number nine jumper is under siege.
Harry Grant has started the season sensationally for the Storm – but Cook rose to the challenge in the Rabbitohs’ Good Friday clash with the Bulldogs.
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Cook bagged the first hat trick of his career in Souths’ 36-16 win, running from dummy-half with speed and great evasive skills.
What’s more – all three of his tries were under the posts – when was the last time anyone did that?
It was as if he was saying to Grant ‘The spot is mine – do your best if you want it’.
The two hookers play a similar style of footy and their battle in the Origin arena in a few weeks should be enthralling.
Taupau’s withdrawal gives Manly a glimpse of the future
Manly fans may have got a glimpse of the future in Saturday night’s 26-18 win over the Titans.
Marty Taupau was a late withdrawal due to COVID protocols – and the big forward is unlikely to be at Brookvale in 2023 so this was a test for the Eagles pack.
Up stepped Taniela Paseka, a youngster whose form tends to be up and down over a long season.
But handed the responsibility of leading the Manly forwards against the strong Titans pack, Paseka was superb, running for 180 metres with four tackle breaks.
The sky is the limit for the tall forward – he just needs to produce more consistency and maybe Taupau’s departure in 2023 will be the making of him.
Munster’s resurgence a good sign for Maroons
Cameron Munster’s dazzling display for the Storm against the Sharks on Saturday night will serve as a massive boost for Queensland leading into the State of Origin series.
In one of the best solo displays of the season to date, Munster cut the Sharks’ defence to shreds to lead his side to a 34-18 win.
The Maroons will start the Origin series as rank outsiders against the Blues, but if Munster can re-produce that form at Origin level, Queensland will be in with a huge chance.
Manu fails to fire as Roosters edge Warriors
Joey Manu has made a fine return from THAT injury late last season in recent weeks – but mystery surrounds his performance against the Warriors last Sunday.
On a dry track at the SCG, the scene was set for another Manu masterclass but the classy centre was barely sighted.
Manu made just six runs in the 80 minutes for 6 runs for 46 metres in the Roosters’ scrappy 22-14 win.
Only one player in the Roosters’ starting side – hooker Sam Verrills – ran for less metres and it was if Manu decided to go easy against the team from his homeland.
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