Take The Two: Round 5
NRL Round 5 in Review
Whether you’re a footy fanatic who analyses their team under the microscope, or you just love seeing the highlights on repeat — this one’s for you.
Join me as we take a closer look at the key plays and players from your team each week.
Brisbane Broncos v Manly Sea Eagles
Looking to bounce back after a horror run of form and injuries, the Broncos started strongly against Manly on Thursday night, targeting freakish aerial threat Xavier Coates to great effect early in the game.
The rookie winger batted one back for Kotoni Staggs early, before doing it all himself to take his team 12 points ahead inside 20 minutes.
But that’s about as good as it got for the Broncos.
Darius Boyd would’ve been over for a double had winger-turned-backrower Corey Oates got his lead line right, but a correct obstruction call denied them — no matter how well Daly Cherry-Evans sold it.
Brisbane’s poor discipline allowed Manly to creep back into the game, with late penalties from Matt Lodge and Staggs gifting the Sea Eagles field position and giving Cherry-Evans a chance to prove he is well worth his price tag.
The halfback was heavily involved in Manly’s second half comeback, scoring one himself with this Des Hasler special, while regularly handling two or three receipts a set as he led his team to a hard fought win.
Cherry-Evans’ ability to manage a game and execute clutch plays when his team is on the back foot is what makes him a top-tier NRL half. Finding a way to win from 18–0 down is the sign of a captain and a halfback that knows his worth, and plays to it.
New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys welcomed back Jason Taumalolo and Coen Hess this week, but their inclusions were offset somewhat by an early injury to Valentine Holmes, who failed to finish the match.
The star fullback played on long enough to bag a first half try courtesy of a Cowboys’ left-edge shift, but his involvement was limited as rookie Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow took over the fullback duties in his first NRL game.
While the Cowboys’ struggled to adapt to these changes, the Warriors unleashed the shackles on a spluttering offence this year to cross for seven tries on Friday night.
New Zealand’s left edge of Kodi Nikorima, Eli Katoa and Peta Hiku ran riot as the game went on, combining for some slick meter-eating short side raids while working upfield or setting up Hiku close to the line with early ball.
But it was Nikorima who was the star of the show, as the often maligned playmaker used his speed and footwork to play over the advantage line and isolate tired middle forwards:
Some good deception from Wade Egan holds Francis Molo up at marker, and when Mitch Dunn at A defender comes out of the line sideways, Nikorima makes him pay with a lethal left foot step.
If the Warriors can maintain their discipline on both sides of the ball, there should be plenty more chances for Nikorima to use his speed around the ruck.
His growing combination with rookie back-rower Katoa has been a joy to watch, and if he can begin to link with Roger Tuivasa-Scheck out the back then Warriors fans should have plenty more to cheer for this year.
Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers
The Friday night blockbuster at Bankwest did not disappoint as Penrith and Parra went at it in a brutal, high-quality affair, both proving their premiership credentials at points.
It was Penrith who entered the break leading 10–0, taking advantage of back-to-back penalties in the 5-minutes before half time to score through Josh Mansour in the corner.
With Villiame Kikau an obvious attacking weapon for the Panthers, it’s important their left-edge offers some variety in attack, else they will become too predictable.
Dropping Kikau under in this play is a good example of how to use his presence to create space for his outside men.
Despite the 10–0 score line, the match was still very much in the ‘arm-wrestle’ with 20 to go, and Parramatta’s resolute goal line defence in the second half kept a comeback hope faintly alive…
Waqa Blake, you’re up.
The Eels’ right-centre turned it on in a five minute frenzy, scoring one himself with a vicious left-hand fend, before setting up the ever-present Clint Gutherson back on the inside soon after:
We often hear coaches talking about the need to play for 80 minutes, and this seems a bit obvious.
But Parramatta showed exactly why on Friday night, capitalising on a small lapse in concentration from the Panthers to score three tries inside seven minutes and take the lead.
For Penrith, halfback Nathan Cleary’s return was successful but causes a selection headache for coach Ivan Cleary, who must decide between first choice five-eighth Jahrome Luai or rookie Matt Burton, who was dynamic in his 15-minute stint.
Super Saturday
With my beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs kicking off a triple-header on Saturday afternoon, I might’ve picked up the pilsener a few more times than the pen…but there was still some cracking footy to talk about.
To all the naysayers and Wayne-haters who’ve been waxing lyrical for the last who-knows-how-long — where are you now?
He was the first to admit he’s got plenty of learning to do, but Latrell Mitchell’s one try, three try-assist haul against the Gold Coast Titans shows he certainly has the skills to excel at fullback in the future.
This in-and-away down the short side on future teammate Jai Arrow was all class:
Another NRL superstar silenced his critics with a masterclass in the following game, as Cameron Smith led the Melbourne Storm to victory against a brave Newcastle Knights outfit who once again proved their final’s credentials with a proud defensive effort.
It took longer than he would’ve liked, but the ageless Smith went to work around the ruck like we’ve seen him do for over a decade now, moving big bodies around and bringing his own forwards onto the ball.
Any doubts over the veteran rake’s ability to keep up with the new game were quashed in a 42 tackle, two try-assist performance.
His work to set up Tino Faasuamaleaui here is vintage Cameron Smith:
The Canberra Raiders bounced back against Wests Tigers, who like the Knights produced a gritty defensive effort that had coach Michael Maguire’s fingerprints all over it.
While still a little clunky in attack, the Tigers’ goal line defence and repeat efforts off the ball would have been pleasing for Maguire.
For the Green Machine, the absence of John Bateman has been almost forgotten thanks to the resurgent form of Joseph Tapine, who was denied his fourth dynamic 80-minute performance this year by a HIA late in the game.
His combination with new halfback George Williams will be one to watch out for as the season progresses.
Sunday/Monday
The St George Illawarra Dragons secured their first win of the season against a disappointing and error ridden Cronulla Sharks on Sunday.
Adam Clune was solid at halfback while Tyson Frizell continues to perform above his pay grade and beggar the question; why are the Red V letting him go?
And a rescheduled clash between the Sydney Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs on Monday night saw continued improved from Dean Pay’s ‘Dogs, as they competed hard but were no match for the defending premiers.
James Tedesco in particular was in a mood in his return, bagging a hatrick and setting up two more in an electrifying performance.
That’s a wrap for now and only two sleeps til kickoff again — how good is having footy on five nights a week?
For a closer look at some of the best plays from this week, check out Jason NRL’s Round 5 breakdown here.
I’ll be putting a different spin on our weekly review for Round 6, so stay tuned for that…
Cheers!
