NRL: Supercoach Winners and Losers for Round 7

Mark Molyneux

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NRL: Supercoach Winners and Losers for Round 7 image

Siosifa Talakai produced one of the great individual performances. The Storm piled on points against the Warriors in a second half collapse that, at times, felt like a fever dream. Nathan Cleary continued with his domination of the competition. Meanwhile, some ‘individuals’ were to blame for the Bunnies and one Rooster should be sent directly to jail.

It’s another weird and wonderful week in NRL Supercoach. Read on to find out who the winners and losers were from the Anzac round…

Winners

Siosifa Talakai (165) Alongside Ronaldo Mulitalo (84), the two-man wrecking crew demolished yet another right edge defence. In the performance of the round, Talakai- deep breath- scored two, assisted two, got 32 points for hit ups, 30 for linebreaks, 16 for tackle busts and 12 for offloads.

 

Nathan Cleary (158) Tore Canberra to shreds in the second half with an attacking masterclass and kept his judo throws to himself this week.

Melbourne spine: Ryan Papenhuyzen (155) led the way as he scored two and set up three. He was supported by a red-hot Cam Munster (110) and Jahrome Hughes (108). Harry Grant (80) also got his customary try from close range. It doesn’t look like anyone can stop the four of them, right now.

Xavier Coates (123) Who needs Josh Addo-Carr? His four tries were combined with great work out of yardage.

Isaiah Papali’I (123) Took full advantage of Newcastle’s charitable goal-line defence. He also made 30 tackles and 25 points in hit ups.

 

Adam Reynolds (115) The little general was the difference between the two sides at Suncorp. His kicking game was death by a thousand cuts.

Keaon Koloamatangi (111) His work rate- 32 tackles and 36 points for hit ups- along with his attacking threat currently makes him one of the best edge backrowers in the NRL.  

Stephen Crichton (104) The hattrick hero is the Viliame Kikau of centres; one week he’s notching a high score, the next he’s dishing up 30. Seems to gain unrivalled joy from winding up the Raiders.

Scott Drinkwater (102) He beat renowned centre, David Fifita, in a foot race to the corner and set up two other tries. Sure, he makes some errors (3), but that stems from his involvement; 16 points for linebreak assists, eight for offloads, six for forced dropouts and four for tackle busts.

David Nofoaluma (102) Back-to-back high scores for the former Supercoach gun. His work rate has skyrocketed after a dismal start to the season. He made 28 points from hit ups, alone.

Joey Manu (100) Scored a try, made three linebreaks and registered 18 points for tackle busts.

Josh Addo-Carr (98) In a losing side, the winger put on a great two-try display. It was his highest score of the year by almost 40 points.

Nicho Hynes (97) Another busy performance from the halfback. He laid on a try, made 20 tackles without a miss and leads the comp in linebreak assists.

Luke Brooks (80) Would be remiss not to mention the field-goal hero. Michael Maguire described it as a ‘special moment’.

 

Losers

The Warriors: Ed Kosi (4), Adam Pompey (10) and Jesse Arthars (12) had no answers for the Storm’s second half onslaught. Addin Fonua-Blake (27) made 16 tackles and 12 points for hit ups. Reece Walsh (32) tried but nothing worked. Josh Curran (32) limped off with a suspected MCL injury and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (38) suffered a sickening head knock.

 

Morgan Harper (7) Got given a bath by Talakai, then got given an early bath by Des Hasler. He missed the same number of tackles- four- he made.

The Titans spine: After getting criticised by Justin Holbrook for their performances last week, the Titans spine failed to deliver again. Toby Sexton (13) and AJ Brimson (34) struggled in the halves, Erin Clark (38) was ineffective and while Jamayne Isaako (42) scored, he did little else to make you think Jayden Campbell won’t replace him at fullback.

The Raiders backline: Against Penrith, it got ugly. Matt Timoko (15) and Semi Valemei (19) provided nothing in attack. Xavier Savage (7) and Nick Cotric (13) just provided nothing. Jordan Rapana (26) continued his patchy form. Jack Wighton (15) and Brad Scheider (30) never got into the game.

Sione Katoa (18) Only Brayden Trindall (-1) scored fewer points for the Sharks. Got to put his feet up for the night, as Talakai caused carnage on the other side of the pitch.

Newcastle Knights: Adam O’Brien apologised for the performance. Enari Tuala (20) produced three errors, while Edrick Lee (46) came up with two. Daniel Saifiti (37) and Jacob Saifiti (35) were overpowered through the middle. Kalyn Ponga (35) offered very little spark, and Jake Clifford’s (17) kicking game deserted him.

Daniel Tupou (26) Should have been sin-binned, or jailed. 

Liam Knight (30) After a strong showing last week, Knight conceded two penalties in quick succession and dropped the ball on tackle one, putting his side under huge pressure defensively. Probably referred to as an ‘individual’ by his teammates, in training, this week. Except by Taane Milne (17).

Kotoni Staggs (37) After the highs of the last two weeks, Staggs crashed down to earth. Every time he tried to bust out his fend, he fell deeper into Aaron Schoupp’s back pocket.

David Fifita (42) His move to the centres did not work out.

 

Jai Arrow (51) Would be remiss not to mention the field-goal villain. Jason Demetriou described it as ‘not ideal’.

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.